Jim Medzegian’s love of cars started early. As soon as he turned 16, he went to a local gas station near Franklin High School in Seattle and asked for a job.

He worked there through high school and college, and until he and his wife Joanne had their first son.

“That job got me through college and helped us buy our first house,” Medzegian said. “Working there I always had an affinity for cars.”

And one car stood out among the rest: the Ford Thunderbird. That’s what he’ll be showing at this year’s Return to Renton Benefit Car Show and Cruise-In, a 2002 Ford Thunderbird.

“T-birds then were really something,” Medzegian said. “I always liked them. And I love the new ones too.”

He said the 2002 model caught his eye when he saw one of the first ones in November 2001. He also had a 1957 T-bird for a time and that car left a good impression for reasons beyond sweet looks and rumble of the engine.

“That’s probably one of the only classic cars I’ve had where I sold it for more than I paid for it,” he said with a laugh.

Ford came out with the 11th generation T-birds for just four years, 2002-2005, after discontinuing production of the car in 1997.

Medzegian has always like them, but finally made the choice to get one this spring. The car features an automatic soft top and a removable hard top with trademark porthole windows as seen in the first generation T-birds back in the mid 50s.

His car has also had several aftermarket cosmetic touches. The car’s chrome and emblems were removed or blacked out, plus the headlights and taillights were frenched in (recessed into the car body).

Medzegian’s car will be on display at the Return to Renton show Sunday, July 8, in downtown Renton. It is the 22nd annual show, which is held to benefit police youth programs.

Since Medzegian took over as a co-chair of the Return to Renton committee about six years ago, the show has seen quite a bit of growth. This year, despite limited advertising, the show had 60 sponsors and 210 cars pre-registered through June 29, both records.

It’s an open show, so there are no limitations on make or year for entrants. There are 40 categories in everything from “Best of Show” to “Favorite Work in Progress.”

Medzegian has been involved with the show in some capacity since “almost day one.” He remembers taking cars to show at Renton High, Memorial Stadium, a field near where Carco Theatre now sits and other locations before it finally settled in downtown. This is the show’s fourth year downtown.He was drawn to the show because it raised funds for youth.

“I don’t think we would do all of this work if it was just a car show,” Medzegian said. “The fundraising aspect, that’s why we’re involved.”

He said the show will likely turn over around $14,000 to the police programs, another record.

The show runs from 10 a.m. to the trophy presentation at 3 p.m. and is centered around the Piazza in downtown Renton. South Third Street and cross streets from Morris Avenue to Main Avenue will be closed from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Contact 425-430-7589 or Return_to_Renton@yahoo.com, or go online gorenton.com/play/returntorentoncarshow for more information.