The low-slung glossy black roadster rumbles as Joe Brooks backs it out of his garage in Langford.

His replica of the Carroll Shelby-designed 1965 Ford AC Cobra turns heads, and not just for the throaty sound it makes as it rolls down the road.

B次元官网网址淓verybody stops and looks and wants to talk to you if youB次元官网网址檙e parked,B次元官网网址� says Brooks, who by day is public works operations manager for the District of Oak Bay. B次元官网网址淭hey want to take pictures B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 a huge eye-catcher.B次元官网网址�

This kit car, built from the ground up and completed in June 2013, won the PeopleB次元官网网址檚 Choice award at last yearB次元官网网址檚 Langford Show and Shine. Brooks expects it to be popular with visitors again when he lines it up next to dozens of other pre-1976 classic and muscle cars at this yearB次元官网网址檚 show on Sunday (Aug. 17).

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of beautiful cars out there that guys have done some amazing things on. The quality and workmanship is incredible,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭he Cobra would be in a different category than an original manufactured vehicle.B次元官网网址�

Brooks was an automotive and heavy duty mechanic for 30 years before joining Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 ranks. He was never one to drive or build a custom car, he says, but as the years went by he had a B次元官网网址渂it of an itching for the (Cobra).B次元官网网址�

While the plans laid out what he needed to assemble the car, there were many options for customizing it to his own tastes and budget.

B次元官网网址淲hen I was building it, it didnB次元官网网址檛 matter what part I was putting on it, there was a more expensive part that was available,B次元官网网址� he says.

The motor is a 302 cubic inch, 365-horsepower Ford, and the car is equipped with a high-performance, five-speed Tremec manual transmission. He put disc brakes all the way around, a more modern luxury the original Cobra didnB次元官网网址檛 have, but stuck with the manual rack-and-pinion steering.

It took Brooks about two years to finish the project. He faced a B次元官网网址渉uge learning curveB次元官网网址� despite his extensive automotive background, he says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all new to me, compared to some of these guys who have spent 20, 30 years or more working with custom cars.B次元官网网址�

Entering his pride and joy in the summer car shows, such as last SundayB次元官网网址檚 Blethering Place show on Oak Bay Avenue, gives him a great chance to compare notes with the experts, Brooks adds.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great to be meeting all these guys with a lot of hot rod knowledge.B次元官网网址�

Vintage car buff and Langford Mayor Stew Young will bring his 1964 Chevy Impala to the event. He says the Show and Shine provides a great boost to the city.

B次元官网网址淚t showcases downtown Langford and this is a great spot for it,B次元官网网址� Young says. B次元官网网址淭he atmosphere is really kind of cool and the downtown lends itself well to the cars.B次元官网网址�

Many people come back year after year to the event, he says, both car enthusiasts and those who simply like to admire the restoration and customization work of others.

B次元官网网址淲e always get great comments from it and the public around Langford and the area always appreciate the people who bring their vehicles down.B次元官网网址�

The Langford Show and Shine happens Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the 700-block of Goldstream Ave. Vehicle registration begins at 8 a.m.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com