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Sunday, September 19, 1999
BY SARA SYVERSON Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- A 1915 Saxon Roadster, a 1931 Pontiac Sport Coupe, a 1949 Studebaker Champion, a 1956 Chevy BelAir convertible, a 1963 Volkswagon bug with a sunroof... They are cool cruisers, some rebuilt as close to their original appearance and some have been left almost untouched through the years, but they are classics each and every one of them. Ninety-two antique cars and 188 people from the Hiawatha Chapter Minnesota Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America (A.A.C.A.) came to town Friday and Saturday to see the local history and attractions. New Ulm was one of the stops on their 1999 Historic Tour of South Central Minnesota. The theme of the this year's tour is "Discover Germany in Minnesota." The group traveled from Faribault to New Prague, Belle Plaine, LeSueur, Ottawa, and New Ulm on their tour. "What it's about is fellowship. You make a lot of friends," said A.A.C.A. Tour Coordinator, Viril Layton, of Brownsdale, "The old cars bring people together. Money has nothing to do with it. It's not a prestige issue, it's just friendship and fellowship." The group's headquarters was at the Holiday Inn, and events for the weekend included a city tour of New Ulm, and "runs" out to Harkin Store, Fort Ridgely, Milford Monument, and Morgan Creek Vineyard. A A.A.C.A. club members Fred and Ramona Trachsel, came from Rochester to see the local area. "The town is great. It's great weather," said Fred, "We've stayed here many times." Fred said that before the couple bought their 1931 Buick 90 Series antique car they had had their eyes on it. "We both like big Buicks," said Fred, "I've had the car for 20 years now." Another member of the club who is from Brownsdale said, "I always look for original low miles cars that have not been restored," said Roger Tollefsrud, "It's a real nice tour and I'm looking forward to touring the area. We've enjoyed Heritagefest in the past." A.A.C.A. member Richard Welsch, of Dodge Center, said, "I bought my 1976 Cadillac Sedan de ville new from a dealer in Red Wing and used it for daily driving for the first four or five years. It's been totally refinished." One of the cruisers on this year's tour was a past president of the national A.A.C.A. in 1986, Dave Strong, of Thief River Falls. "The people here on tour are from all walks of life, and many of the cars have sentimental value to the drivers," said Strong, "Not only does it give us a chance to exercise the cars to drive and play with them, but it gives us a chance to see historic places in Minnesota. Strong added that the A.A.C.A. was founded in 1935 and since then it is known as the oldest and the largest historical automotive society in the world.
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