Sunday's Show and Shine was like most days Norm Ferris brings out his white and blue beauty of a 1956 Mercury.
"You don't want to be in a hurry," Ferris said. "There's always somebody who comes over and says 'I had one of these,' or 'God I wish I would kept the one I had. It's just a magnet."
That's why Ferris loves coming to the annual car show, now in its 41st year: to share stories with other people who love cars like him.
His pride and joy was parked among about 360 vehicles on display in the newly renamed Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park, formerly Fort George Park.
Ferris travelled to the Father's Day event from Winfield, but was born and raised in Prince George.
He was 21 in 1968 when he bought it and even then it caused people to stop and take notice.
"I was the kid in Prince George that had the '56 Mercury," said Ferris.
Since then, it's been through three engines. Ferris has restored it to its original colour, but for a time it was a light, dusky green. In the trunk, he had pictures of the old, rusty interior that is now upholstered in rich colour to match the exterior.
"This car is a rare car," he said, adding it's an American model and only one of 18,000 made. "We didn't build any of these in Canada."
Most notable is the two-door post, which separates the front and back passenger windows, as opposed to the hard-top style.
"They didn't look really obvious, but they had lots of power."
Ferris said the Show and Shine gives people like him a chance to look back to a better time.
"It's nostalgia. It's the era," said Ferris, and pointed to a sign stuck on the front bumper that reads: "stuck in the '50s."
But mixed in with the classic cars lining were a real mix of trucks, motorcycles, 4x4s and more.
It's an inclusive event for the whole family, said Dave Edgington, who is part of the Prince George Cruisin' Classics, which organizes the event every year.
"If it's got tires on it, bring it," he said of the event's approach to entry.
He said the turnout was similar to last year, both for cars and participants, with the weather cooperating both years. Terrace, Quesnel and Burns Lake car clubs all showed up.
It's also a way for owner aficionados to talk about all the work they put into their vehicles.
"People don't realize how much time and money goes into this," said Edgington, who was showing off a 1969 Buick Wildcat he inherited from his dad.
"I'm restoring it in his honour," he said.
For many at the show, it's a hobby and a passion.
Edgington said it's important the event is on Father's Day as most of the fans are of an older generation.
This way families come out and fathers can share that passion with kids who may not have exposure otherwise.
"If the youth don't get into it, it'll fade," he said.
