Staff photo by Fritz Busch Roy Janni of Courtland stands next to his 1970 Chevelle SS396 he ordered new while serving in Vietnam in 1969. Janni was part of the Classic Car Show at August Schell Brewery Saturday. The event included dozens of classic cars and live music by The Rain Kings, a Mankato-based acoustic and electric roots rock band.

NEW ULM — Classic car owner Bryce Boelter of New Ulm may have said it best when he described what he thinks it means to people to go to a classic car show.

“Classic car shows are part of the nostalgia that holds people together,” Boelter said talking to friends and sitting next to his red 2013 Ford Mustang 5.0 GT at the Schell’s Brewery Classic Car Show Saturday.

“When I see small kids looking at it, I ask them if they want to sit in the Mustang,” he added.

The show that featured dozens of classic cars and trucks, included many vehicles that were a half century old but in like new condition.

Roy Janni of Courtland drove his silver 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 he had his brother Ron order new for $3,631.70 on July 3, 1969. Roy was serving in Vietnam at the time. He still has the bill of sale for the car he took delivery of Oct. 18, 1969, after coming home.

Roy got an early Army discharge to attend college. He drove the Chevelle to drive to school, work and for other trips.

Janni said he was rear-ended by a semi truck on Thanksgiving weekend 1971. The car was heavily damaged in the crash but Janni said the frame was not bent, so he had it repaired.

He put the car in storage in 1977 when it had 89,000 miles, rust behind the front wheels and rear quarter panels and needed a tuneup.

In 1992, Janni decided to repair the car. The job included an engine overhaul, stripping the frame of all parts and sandblasting and priming it. A few years later, he had the car repainted and restored to like new condition.

Lance Sletta of Hanska drove his 1969 Dodge Super Bee to the car show. Sletta said he’d buy another Super Bee if he could find one.

Other vehicles at the show included a 1964 Chevrolet, 1957 Chevrolet, 1955 Chevrolet, a 50-year-old Dodge Dart, and a Porsche, among others.

The Mankato-based, acoustic and electric roots rock band The Rain Kings performed from 3-6 p.m. at the brewery.

Schell’s advertised the classic car show as a kickoff to a series of downtown New Ulm cruise-ins set for 4:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 14, July 12 and Aug. 16. Outdoor music continued until 11 p.m. The event will include food trucks.

Adult drinks will be available at downtown bars and restaurants. The drinks must stay in the event area, from 3rd North to 1st South on Minnesota Street.