On August 25, 2024, I took a quick drive over to the neighbourhood of Bowness in Calgary, an area known to be the home of many classic cars awaiting restoration, the beloved Bowness Auto Parts store, Angel's Drive-In restaurant, and as the final stop for a weekly cruise night that winds through Calgary. Each August, Bowness Auto Parts hosts their annual "Show and Shine," celebrated as one of Calgary's most anticipated car shows of the year.

Cars were parked all alongside Bowness Road

The renowned Bowness Auto Parts Show and Shine (also known as the Bowness Show) spans three blocks along Bowness Road NE. Unlike most shows, the show doesn't officially close roads or parking lots; instead, local residents, well aware of the event, graciously allow car enthusiasts to line the roadway with their treasured vehicles.

A Corvette and Mustang cruising down Bowness Road

This year, Bowness Auto Parts celebrated the event’s twentieth anniversary, drawing a crowd as large as ever. A few hundred cars filled Bowness Road, with some cruising the area to showcase their powerful V8 engines and bold exhaust notes.

A trio of vehicles in wild colours parked along Bowness Road

The Bowness Auto Parts Show and Shine was a terrific time, offering a lively day with hundreds of classic cars proudly displaying their craftsmanship and distinctive exhaust sounds. I look forward to my time to return to the show and all the enthusiasts cruising through once again in 2025!

A decade apart, this 1957 Chevrolet and 1967 Pontiac were stopped at the intersection, with the Parisienne awaiting its chance to turn onto Bowness Road

Until the next time I see you guys, get wrenching, get driving, and keep these classics alive!

- Kyle Hanger of Searching for Classics