COEUR d’ALENE — The roar of engines. The smell of gasoline. The rumble as the cars roll past.

Those are some of Shyla Horner’s favorite things about Car d’Lane.

Horner was among the thousands of people who lined the downtown streets Friday night to watch the classic car cruise.

A Coeur d’Alene resident, Horner attends almost every year. Cool weather and cloudy skies were no deterrent.

She said she likes old Chevys, especially Novas.

But more than anything, she likes the atmosphere at one of North Idaho’s most popular events — one that marks the unofficial start of summer.

“I just hope someone burns some rubber,” she said, smiling.

Approximately 800 classic cars cruised the loop. It was reportedly the biggest pre-registration in the cruise’s history.

Coeur d’Alene resident Ron Tiderman was one of them, riding with the top down in a two-toned, light gray 1931 Model A Roadster.

The car has won five first-class trophies at different shows, he said. This is its second time cruising at Car d’Lane.

When Tiderman saw the Roadster at an Oregon car show in 2008, he and his wife knew instantly that they had to have it.

“We had never seen one like this,” Tiderman said.

They’ve since sold their other classic cars, but they won’t part with the Roadster.

What makes the car so special? The answer is simple.

“It’s pretty,” Tiderman said with a laugh.

Flames spouted from some cars, delighting onlookers, while horns squawked and blared. A few dogs peeked out of windows, tongues wagging.

Drivers waved to the crowd like royalty.

Watching them was the Hays family, who live in the Wolf Lodge area. They don’t come to Coeur d’Alene often, said dad Clint — but when they do, it’s to enjoy the city’s festivities.

“It gets the kids out of the house,” he said.

The kids — Hayden, 8, Dallas, 10, and Charlie, 12 — kicked back with their dad and their dog, Lou, after a long day of fun.

The family took a dip in the lake, stopped for ice cream and made it back to their seats just in time for the cruise.

It was the perfect start to their summer.

Year after year, people come from near and far to enjoy North Idaho’s biggest car show. It’s a chance to reminisce about the past, all while creating new memories.

That’s a big part of why the Hays family keeps coming back.

“Seeing the old cars, remembering how it used to be,” Clint Hays said.

Classic car fans can get a closer look at the vehicles and meet their owners today during the Show & Shine, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Between 450 and 500 cars will participate.