The streets of Fernie were tinged with nostalgia on Sunday as classic cars lined the historic downtown for the town’s annual car show.
This year’s Show N’ Shine attracted more than 1100 people and 80 entries – the most in the event’s history.
They ranged from a chopper motorcycle to a converted school bus and took up nearly three blocks of 2nd Avenue, the brick and sandstone buildings perfectly setting the scene.
Judges deemed David Fox’s 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport the best car of the show, while Brian Flint received the Chamber Choice Award for his 1956 Chevrolet 150 Wagon.
More than 600 people cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award, which went to Bob Cutts of Fernie.
He bought his 1941 Buick Super Coupe three years ago and estimated its value at about $17,000.
“I just always wanted an old car like this and I’ve been mostly a Ford pickup person, but I just relented and got an old Buick car,” said Cutts.
“They were pre-war cars, so they were well built, heavy duty, all chrome and steel. I like the design of it and it was in such good shape that sort of made me decide on it.”
The Super Coupe has a straight-eight engine, dual carburetors and a three-speed transmission.
“I have done a few little modifications to it and fixed it up a little bit and it does have vintage air in it, so that’s nice on hot, hot days,” said Cutts.
He has previously owned classic cars and enjoys showing them at events like the Fernie Show N’ Shine, which he described as a “fabulous show”.
The event is hosted by the Fernie Chamber of Commerce and was this year organized by the Chamber’s summer students, Brielle Pelletier and Linnea Uphill-Benishcke.
Chamber Executive Director Patty Vadnais commended them on their efforts.
“They solicited sponsorship and prizes, contacted car clubs throughout the region to invite participants, managed the advertising and promotion of the event, and all the day-of-event tasks,” she said.
Chamber staff emphasized how vital their sponsors were to this event; title sponsor Denham GM, as well as Koocanusa Campsite and Marina, Giv’ Er Shirt Works, Telus, Legacy Ford Fernie and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
“We definitely could not have done it without them,” said Uphill-Benishcke.
