A salute to the classics
The classic car drive-in was a drive down memory lane for many Orchard Hills residents. Tom Haubrich said the 1948 Plymouth Club Coupe reminded him of his father's car.
Dennis Anderson gives root beer float salute next to his favorite vehicle at the car show.
Orchard Hills resident Steven Harder stands in front of the line up classic cars outside the assisted living facility.
The classic car drive-in was a drive down memory lane for many Orchard Hills residents. Tom Haubrich said the 1948 Plymouth Club Coupe reminded him of his father's car.
Dennis Anderson gives root beer float salute next to his favorite vehicle at the car show.
Orchard Hills resident Steven Harder stands in front of the line up classic cars outside the assisted living facility.
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NEW ULM -- Thursday, Orchard Hills Assisted Living hosted a night of fancy cars, cool drinks, and great memories during the classic car drive-in.
Members of New Ulm's Autofest brought their best vehicles to Orchard Hills for the residents to see and talk vehicles, while Orchard Hills staff served root beer floats. The event had the feel of a 1950s-era malt shop drive-in.
New Ulm Autofest member Lee Knauf helped organize the drive-in. He said several members were willing to bring out their favorite vehicles. The show featured a wide variety of vehicles from several different areas ranging from a 1948 Plymouth to a 2008 Saturn Sky. Knauf attended the show with this Aztec Bronze 1966 Corvair.
For many of the Orchard Hills residents, it was a chance to relieve past memories.
Orchard Hills resident Tom Haubrich was excited to see a 1948 Plymouth Club Coupe at the show. Haubrich said it reminded him of his father's car.
"The only difference is my dad had one with four doors," he said. "My first vehicle was also a Plymouth."
The 1948 Plymouth at Orchard Hills was owned by Dean Lindquist, who said the vehicle was nearly all original. It had never been repainted.
"There has been some stuff added underneath the hood," Lindquist said.
Lindquist and other Autofest members were more than happy to swap stories with the residents. Many of the residents share memories of vehicles past.
Orchard Hills resident Dennis Anderson said his favorite vehicle at the drive-in was a yellow and black 1955 Ford convertible that belonged to Loren and Yvonne Gag.
All the classic cars inspired Anderson to reminisce about his previous vehicles. His first vehicle was a 1940s two-door Ford Sedan. Anderson still remembers the gear shift sequence. He admitted to Loren Gag that he usually kept the vehicle in the highest gear.
Later in life, he had a 1947 Chrysler that he bought in New Ulm. He took first place in a car show in Hector, MN with the Chrysler. Anderson said he regretted selling the Chrysler, but he still had a maroon 1992 Buick Riviera -- all original.
Orchard Hills Activity Director Kari Apitz said the classic car drive-in is something they do every other year. It is a chance for the residents to get outside and socialize on topics everyone can relate to. No matter the age, everyone seems to remember their first car.