Claude Freund built cars all his life.

He picked up his wife Susan in a 1926 Ford Model T on their first date in the early '60s. They were married 46 years. The Freunds raised their three kids in the rumble seats of classic cars and worked in garages.

Cars were more than Claude's hobby. They were his life.

When Claude unexpectedly passed away in 2011 at age 64, he left a hole in the hearts of his wife, children and grandchildren. But he also left a legacy of building hot rods, a legacy that thrives in his son Russ.

Russ, 35, of Post Falls, is the co-owner of River City Speed and Kustom. Just like his dad, he builds hot rods from the bare bones and creates unique pieces of automotive art.

Russ built his first car with his dad when he was a little boy. It was a 1931 Ford go-kart.

"He was my best friend," Russ said. He said Claude was not only a father to him, but he also was a dad to some of his friends. Russ said he never really understood why his friends said Claude was like a dad to them, but after Claude passed, it began making sense. Through his support and bits of fatherly advice, Claude impacted Russ and many others.

"He really filled a void in a lot of people's lives," Russ said.

Susan said Claude always enjoyed inspiring the young men who shared his interest in building cars.

"Claude loved those young guys, you know," she said. "He was always encouraging them. He was very much a mentor that way."

Susan's two garages are decorated with mementos of Claude's life and antique items that project a feeling of vintage Americana. Coca-Cola, Matchbox, Radio Flyer and Texaco are among the brands that splash the room with blues and reds. Old gas pumps and relics from service stations of the past give the garages an atmosphere of yesteryear. Photos and art of roadsters are plastered everywhere. Framed magazine covers of issues that featured Claude or Russ' work hang on the walls of the hall that connects the garages.

And of course, there's the cars.

At least six hot rods and a Model T in varying conditions were parked in the main garage, gleaming from the care Susan had given them that morning. A beautiful, shiny orange 1932 Ford Roadster sits in the attached smaller garage, among more memorabilia.

Russ and his sisters, Marisue Freund-Kimp, 47, and Karrie Fay, 43, gathered in their mom's home Friday afternoon to gear up for Car d'Lane, an event the family has enjoyed for about 20 years. They cruise in the hot rods and show them off in the car show. They also give away an award to one winner a year in Claude's honor.

"We've always been into the street rods," Susan said. "We try to pick this car for what he loved and what he liked."

The Claude Freund Memorial Award goes to the individual whose car represents Claude, in the car itself and the passion of the owner. Previous winning vehicles were Ryan Budda's '55 Chevy pickup and Glenn and Jeannie Anderson's '37 Ford convertible.

The fact that Car d'Lane occurs during Father's Day weekend is a special thing for the Freund family.

"It keeps his memory alive," Fay said.

Along with presenting the memorial award, the family wears matching T-shirts to remember Claude and bring him with them as they participate in Car d'Lane. "He didn't just leave us, he went ahead to get the good parking," the shirts read. Susan said Claude was known for "power parking" at events, always finding the best place to display his cars.

Russ continues his father's work as he helps his mom with upkeep on the cars, and works on cars of his own. He joked that he really didn't have a choice, but he loves it as much as his dad did.