Student’s Tonka truck project rolls into Museum of Surrey

One student’s passion project has driven its way into the Museum of Surrey.

Riley Vint, a Grade 11 student at Regent Christian Academy, has turned his love for toy trucks – specifically Tonkas – into a full museum installation.

This installation features around 100 restored and collected pieces from the Tonka brand as part of his Grade 11 capstone project.

“This is pretty big for me. I’ve never done anything like this before,” Vint said.

He shared that he’s very proud of the display and said it was exciting to see his work at the museum. “It looks very nice in my opinion, and it was fun to set up, too,” said Vint.

Though a passion project for Vint, this project almost didn’t happen.

When he was in Grade 8, he was told his interest in Tonka trucks wouldn’t make for a compelling capstone. Vint therefore considered more conventional mechanical ideas such as taking apart and rebuilding a car engine.

But, years later, with encouragement from his teacher Bev Schellenberg, that passion became the foundation for his project.

Vint’s interest in Tonka trucks dates back to when he was just two years old.

His first truck – a small plastic model from the late 2000s – sparked what would become a true fascination. “I just thought of this as a construction toy at the time, but no, this would turn into my lifelong passion,” explained Vint.

By 2019, that curiosity grew into collecting.

“Later on in 2019, I was still playing with trucks and I decided ‘hey, this Tonka brand is pretty cool. Maybe I’ll look into it a little more,’” said Vint.

Vint soon began acquiring vintage models from the 1950s through the 1970s, carefully maintaining them while learning their history and value.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Vint’s collection became more than just a hobby. “When COVID was happening, we couldn’t really play with anybody anymore and basically this was all I had, these toys.”

That time spent at home helped deepen both his knowledge and appreciation for the brand, which later led him into restoration work.

Vint now has more than 1,000 Tonka items in his collection, including trucks, figures and even Pound Puppies – a short-lived product line that Vint shares was introduced in the 1980s.

Vint restores these trucks alongside his father by removing rust, repainting when necessary and carefully reassembling each piece.

His love for everything Tonka led him to working with a local Surrey pumpkin patch to restore a few Tonka trucks on site.

The first time he noticed one of these Tonkas on its last legs (or wheels) at the patch, he knew something had to be done.

“I had no clue why anyone would do that to a Tonka truck. It had pretty much ended its useful life, and I just couldn’t stand to just sit there,” he told Peace Arch News.

That single project left an impact on Vint, and he was later asked to come back and fix more – which he has ever since that first restoration.

“That’s when it all really kicked off,” said Vint.

Vint’s love for Tonkas also extends into the classroom.

Schellenberg, Vint’s teacher, shared that he regularly shares fun facts about Tonka trucks, often bringing in pieces from his collection to show and discuss. Schellenberg also says Vint creates his own Tonka-themed comics, further building on the worlds he’s developed around the brand.

Vint’s installation at the Museum of Surrey showcases his knowledge of Tonkas while also showing his restoration journey.

Vint said the display walks visitors through the restoration process, featuring trucks in various stages – from worn and rusted to fully restored – as well as partially disassembled models that show how each piece comes together.

“For me they aren’t just toys. They are a part of history that needs to be preserved,” explained Vint.

Vint credits much of his inspiration to Tonka designer Rob Pauly, who began working with the company in the 1960s.

“His story is really inspirational. He started off experimenting and he liked what he was doing, and he got a job doing something he loved,” shared Vint. “I realized I’d kind of like to do that, too, find a job where I can do what I love, which is basically fixing old stuff.”

Even as the installation is open to the public, Vint says he’s not stopping any time soon.

“I probably am going to continue doing this.”

Vint’s display is currently on display at the Museum of Surrey (11710 56A Ave.).