Dave Kostura could not believe what he was seeing.
"This has got to be illegal," Kostura, 29, of Saint Clair, said as he admired a 1949 Mercury parked on Market Street for the Greater Pottsville Cruise on Saturday in Pottsville.
The car was capable of throwing flames out both pipes in the back with two sparklers attached to each side.
Wayne Widmann, 62, of Minersville, the owner, didn't demonstrate the flames but did press one of three white and red buttons on a black box in the car, and one of the pipes sparked.
Widmann said he can't use that aspect of the car because he would get in trouble with the law.
The car was one of about 800 that lined the city for the cruise.
Jerry Enders, cruise chairman, said the event was a success.
Last year, about 500 cars were there, Enders said.
Enders estimated between 6,000 and 8,000 people attended the event this year.
The cruise started at 9 a.m. at Jerry's Classic Cars and Collectibles. Cars were also parked on Centre Street and in the lot across from the business before moving closer downtown.
Returning to the cruise was Dennis Gage, host of the SPEED Channel's "My Classic Car," who was available at different times during the day to meet people.
Trophies and awards were given out later in the night for the numerous categories.
"It's almost picture perfect (weather) for a car show. People love to show their cars," Enders said.
You could tell Windmann loved to show his car.
"You can get in. This is a touchable car," he said to Edward Hossler, 16, of Pottsville.
"The car is a pearl white color with ghost flames," he said. The interior is blue velvet.
Windmann has owned the car for 20 years, buying it after it was in a wreck. He did not know what he paid for the 327 Chevrolet engine when he restored it.
He didn't say how much money he has invested in the car which is garage kept.
"Little by little, I just brought it back to life," he said. "I was offered $35,000 for it and I said no."
Deb Kramer, 55, of Pottsville, admired a 1926 Ford T-Touring.
Her father, Arthur Zimmerman, also owned one, she said, although she never rode in it. She would have loved to take it home and drive it if she could, she said.
Corene Parrish, 21, the 2013 Winter Carnival Queen, also stopped to look at the car.
"I love old cars. I think it's nice to appreciate things from the past and still appreciate things for the future," she said.
Bob Kazlaski, 47, of State College, was there with his 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo, which has 200 horsepower.
The car has 11,229 miles on it and is a six-speed manual. It has racing stripes and the number 53 on it, like Herbie The Love Bug car.
Saturday was his first time to the car show.
"The cars here are unbelievable. It's amazing what's on the street," he said.
He plans on coming back.
"Every year I'll be here," Kazlaski said.
People were taking pictures of themselves in front of the car.
The car show wasn't only for cars. There were also a couple Jeeps on display, some showing signs of being off-road.
John Reed and his family from Mahanoy City were enjoying ice cream cones while taking a break from looking at the cars.
"We're really enjoying it. This is the first time we've come down," he said.