Auto museum draws convertibles to the fair

Cars designed for sunny, summer weather take center stage in the Wells Fargo Auto Museum, set up during the Steele County Free Fair Aug. 16-21.

Les Abraham, who organizes the annual display with a small group of volunteers, said the vehicles vintage 1978 or older roll in from Owatonna and around Steele County. There will be about 15 this year.

“That’s all we can fit into the building,” he said.

Abraham literally tracked down one of the vehicles, a Morris Minor convertible. The British vehicle was manufactured between 1948 and 1972.

“It’s been running around town the last couple of years,” he said. “I noticed it and contacted the guy.”

A resident of Owatonna since 1952, Abraham said he is a lifelong “car guy" and worked on cars even when he was a kid. He started working with the Auto Museum in 2001 and has loved the event ever since.

Along with finding vehicles as he did with the Morris Minor, and putting up a sign during the fair, Abraham said he has a very large list of local classic cars to mine when he’s looking for Auto Museum display vehicles.

“I put together a list seven or eight years ago of all the ones I knew, and by the time I finished I had four thousand cars I could choose from,” he said. “I know there’s probably twice that (around Steele County).”

Volunteer Charlie Kaplan said this year’s display includes an Impala, Mustang, Firebird, and Cadillac, all manufactured in 1967. He called it “a nice diverse selection”.

“It’s pretty heavy on the 1950s and 1960s,” he said. “Those seem to be the easiest ones to find around here.”

Visitors walk through the display every day of the fair, stopping not only to look at the cars but also to talk about them. Abraham said that’s one of his favorite parts of the event.

“I love the camaraderie of the people coming in to look,” he said. “Ever since I started, it’s been a popular spot with old farmers and old car guys. They just love looking at them.”

Abraham said he appreciates the support of the fair board in keeping the museum going. About 13,000 people walked through the building last year, so it’s clearly a popular part of the event.

“You’ll see a good show when you come,” he said. “It’s just fun to be around.”

The Wells Fargo Auto Museum is located just north of the Four Seasons Centre on the fairgrounds. Learn more at scff.org.