COEUR d’ALENE — The first car Doug Rupiper drove, at the age of 14 in South Dakota, was his parents’ 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V.

It was a two-door, salmon-colored, smooth-riding beauty, and Rupiper felt special behind the wheel.

“I just really enjoyed it through high school,” he said.

So a few years ago, when the Coeur d'Alene man came cross another 1979 Lincoln Mark V, he bought it.

"When I saw this, it hit that sentimental thing. I liked it," he said.

He had it painted, gave it some well-deserved TLC and a new life.

"I always wanted to have my own classic car," Rupiper said Thursday. "It reminded me of those good old days."

Those good old days will return for Car d'Lane, with the vintage vehicle cruise from 6 to 9 tonight and the show from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., both in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

Rupiper, joined by fiancee Sarah Day, will be in the long lineup of 1980-and-older automobiles expected to attract thousands.

Engines will rev, rubber will burn, chrome will gleam and flames will fly from exhausts.

"I just enjoy driving beside the other cars and seeing all the cool cars," Rupiper said.

Emily Boyd, executive director of the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, said everything is coming together for one of the city's most-popular events.

The cruise route is mainly on Sherman and Lakeside avenues. It goes as far east as 11th, west to Second, south to Mullan and north to Wallace.

“It's looking really good,” Boyd said. “Interest for Car d’Lane continues to grow every year."

Activities include the Silver Car Auction at noon Saturday at Independence Point, with about 100 vehicles offered to the highest bidder.

New this year is Coeur d'Moto, which will showcase rare motorcycles at Fifth and Sherman.

And there's Special Interest Lane, which will feature a limited number of specialized, unique vehicles vintage 1981 or newer.

Rupiper's midnight-blue 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V, at 19-and-a-half feet, is the longest two-door car ever made.

It has a Rolls Royce-like grill, retractable headlines and is part of a "Collector's Series."

In 1979, it was selling for $22,000.

"It was not outrageously expensive at the time, but when they added this Collector's Series, it became the most-expensive U.S. car that year," he said.

Rupiper named her "Farrah," after late actress Farrah Fawcett, famous for her role in the TV series "Charlie's Angels" in the 1970s — and a particular swimsuit poster.

"She’s just so sexy, and Farrah was sexy in the 70s," Rupiper said, laughing.

He and Sarah take the Mark V out for summer treks around town, but for the most part, she's a garage car.

That's why he loves the chance to show her off in tonight's Car d'Lane cruise.

"Everybody seems to be a car enthusiast that night," he said. "There's a lot of beautiful cars out there."