Staff photo by Fritz Busch Don Binger of New Ulm stands next to his 1972 Chevrolet Nova SS at the New Ulm Car & Bike Roll-In on Minnesota Street Saturday. The roll-in was the final local roll-in of the season.

NEW ULM — The rumble of engines muffled by custom exhaust systems could be heard on Minnesota Street late Saturday afternoon at the final New Ulm Car & Bike Roll-in of the season.

Don Binger of New Ulm was at the corner of Minnesota Street and 2nd Street North with his deep blue 1972 Chevrolet Nova SS.

He bought the Nova on Memorial Day, two years ago from a friend from Waseca who also collects classic cars, but was dying of cancer.

“He wanted to sell the car to me because he wanted it to go to somebody who would finish it. I actually got the (400 small block V8) in it and got it running before he died,” Binger said.

“I got it painted at Loberg Brothers Auto Body on Front Street in New Ulm and got it back on the road this year. I do most of the work myself, except the body work. You almost have to. It’s one thing just to drive them. You want to know what’s there if you have a problem,” he said.

Binger also owns two other Novas and a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro he is having restored as a Z28 clone. He also owns a 1969 Chevrolet C10 pickup he bought from a friend near Wanda who said his wife didn’t want to drive a manual transmission vehicle.

“I prefer keeping classic cars stock. If you want a (performance) LS1 motor, you might as well buy something that was built for it, like a Corvette with suspension made for it. If I put an LS engine in the Nova, I’d have to swap out a lot of parts to make it a good, drive-able car. Otherwise, it would have too much power,” he said.

Binger’s other Novas are a 1973 hatchback and a 1969 two-door sedan.

“Classic cars aren’t like the new ones that often need new sensors. There’s more tuning involved with classic cars. Sometimes need a good mechanic who can tune a carburetor if you need them to,” he said.

Binger said he enjoys working with small block V8 engines because they are easier to work on.

Besides New Ulm roll-ins, he said he enjoys going to them in Lake Crystal, Winthrop, Autofest in New Ulm and Henderson.

“The last show of the season in Henderson has a lot of really nice cars. It’s a really nice show. It has cars for miles,” he said.

“I really love New Ulm roll-ins. There’s enough cars here, we don’t need to go somewhere else. We have a beautiful downtown. This is perfect. You can’t ask for a better night for a car show,” Binger said.

Beverages were available from select businesses on Minnesota Street Saturday, from 3rd North to 1st South. Glass containers were prohibited.