Nostalgia-laced exhaust fumes will waft through downtown Bend this weekend as Flashback Cruz 2007 motors in again for a three-day run.

The event starts today and continues through Sunday. It’s free to spectators.

If classic cars rev your engine, then Drake Park will have you redlining.

Coordinator Joan Spongberg of the Central Oregon Classic Chevy Club expects more than 400 glinting pre-1974 beauties first at Baxter S&S Auto Parts North in Bend today, then at Drake Park later today and all day Saturday.

“We really want people to come down on Saturday to the park to enjoy all the activities and the shiny cars,” said Spongberg.

It’s the cars — Camaros, Vettes, GTOs, Del Reys and Falcons to name but a few — lovingly restored and polished to perfection, that promise to light up Bend this weekend.

This year’s Flashback Cruz kicks off with the Pre Show ’n’ Shine (fancy lingo for proud car owners getting a head start on the festivities) at 11 a.m. today at Baxter’s, 20625 Grandview Drive, Bend.

Cars and drivers will then embark on a “fun run” around Bend before cruising down to Drake Park and a pre-registration party. The Avenue H Band will start playing at 5 p.m. with the Cascade Horizon Band scheduled to begin jamming at 7.

Saturday is the day for classic car enthusiasts to mingle among all that chrome and vintage metal. At the final strains of the Star Spangled Banner shortly after 8 a.m., the show will begin at Drake Park.

The cars will be on display there from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday followed by the presentation of 63 “best of” trophies. The first 300 spectators will get the opportunity to mark ballots for the “People’s Choice” award, Spongberg said.

Free shuttle bus service will run from the parking lot on Wall Street north of the Deschutes County Courthouse between Lafayette and Norton avenues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be hourly raffles all day Saturday.

Saturday’s car show activities will conclude with a “Cruz” through downtown Bend (see map) from 7 to 9 p.m. A winner’s parade lap will begin at 6:45 p.m.

Downtown roads will be closed for the duration. According to Spongberg, the cars will cruise up Franklin Avenue, left on Lava Road, left on Minnesota Avenue, right on Bond Street, left on Oregon Avenue and left on Wall Street.

In the midst of it all, JP and The Soulsearchers will be rocking and rolling from the corner of Minnesota Avenue and Wall Street from 8 to 10 p.m.

Sunday’s “Cruz” to the Mt. Bachelor ski area and the Car Olympics leaves from the parking lot at Bend’s Riverfront Plaza at 9:30 a.m. The Olympics, a series of car-related games and tests, will be in the West Village parking lot at the mountain.

“Just come on up,” Spongberg urged. “People park along the way to see that.”

Streets closed from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday