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Auto enthusiasts rev their engines

Staff photo by Fritz Busch John Eichinger’s 1974 Cadillac El Dorado convertible includes horns on the front end and personalized collector license plates.

NEW ULM — A number of local antique auto owners got their vehicles out from under cover Thursday in preparation for the 17th Annual New Ulm Autofest 17 Saturday and Sunday.

John Eichinger drove his 1964 Chevrolet Biscayne around a bit.

“I always wanted a 1964 Chevy, so I got one in Seattle and had it transported here,” Eichinger said. “I put in a new engine, took off the mags and put on (dog dish) hubcaps.”

Eichinger also owns a white, 1974 Cadillac Eldorado convertible with livestock horns on the front end.

Thomas Ulrich owns a 1955 Ford Sunliner convertible that is mostly stock.

Lee Knauf has a yellow 1969 Chevrolet Corvair Monza.

Alan Solberg drove his 1965 Dodge Coronet around. He bought the car five years ago and spent two years restoring it. He also owns a 1933 Dodge coupe that he has been restoring and plans to bring it to Autofest.

“It’s a great show. More and more people come to it each year,” Eichinger said about Autofest.

Autofest’s free, drive-in movie, “Back to the Future,” begins at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday. The 1985 American science fiction adventure comedy film stars Michael J. Fox as a teen who is sent back in time to 1955. Fox meets his future parents in high school and accidentally becomes his mother’s romantic interest.

The movie grossed more than $381 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing movie of 1985. It won the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film, and the Academy Award for Best Sound Effects Editing.

The movie got three more Academy Award nominations and four Golden Globe nominations including Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy).

Food at the drive-in movie includes hot dogs, popcorn, pop and water.

Goodie bags with calendars, can coolers and more items will be given to the first 300 participants Sunday.

Other Sunday events include a model car contest, swap meet and Pink Ladies Garage with crafts and wellness items, among other things. For more information, visit New Ulm Autofest on Facebook.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.

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