One student\u2019s passion project has driven its way into the Museum of Surrey.<\/p>\n
Riley Vint, a Grade 11 student at Regent Christian Academy, has turned his love for toy trucks \u2013 specifically Tonkas \u2013 into a full museum installation.<\/p>\n
This installation features around 100 restored and collected pieces from the Tonka brand as part of his Grade 11 capstone project.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is pretty big for me. I\u2019ve never done anything like this before,\u201d Vint said.<\/p>\n
He shared that he\u2019s very proud of the display and said it was exciting to see his work at the museum. \u201cIt looks very nice in my opinion, and it was fun to set up, too,\u201d said Vint.<\/p>\n
Though a passion project for Vint, this project almost didn\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n
When he was in Grade 8, he was told his interest in Tonka trucks wouldn\u2019t make for a compelling capstone. Vint therefore considered more conventional mechanical ideas such as taking apart and rebuilding a car engine.<\/p>\n
But, years later, with encouragement from his teacher Bev Schellenberg, that passion became the foundation for his project.<\/p>\n
Vint\u2019s interest in Tonka trucks dates back to when he was just two years old.<\/p>\n
His first truck \u2013 a small plastic model from the late 2000s \u2013 sparked what would become a true fascination. \u201cI just thought of this as a construction toy at the time, but no, this would turn into my lifelong passion,\u201d explained Vint.<\/p>\n
By 2019, that curiosity grew into collecting.<\/p>\n
\u201cLater on in 2019, I was still playing with trucks and I decided \u2018hey, this Tonka brand is pretty cool. Maybe I\u2019ll look into it a little more,\u2019\u201d said Vint.<\/p>\n
Vint soon began acquiring vintage models from the 1950s through the 1970s, carefully maintaining them while learning their history and value.<\/p>\n
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Vint\u2019s collection became more than just a hobby. \u201cWhen COVID was happening, we couldn\u2019t really play with anybody anymore and basically this was all I had, these toys.\u201d<\/p>\n
That time spent at home helped deepen both his knowledge and appreciation for the brand, which later led him into restoration work.<\/p>\n
Vint now has more than 1,000 Tonka items in his collection, including trucks, figures and even Pound Puppies \u2013 a short-lived product line that Vint shares was introduced in the 1980s.<\/p>\n
Vint restores these trucks alongside his father by removing rust, repainting when necessary and carefully reassembling each piece.<\/p>\n
His love for everything Tonka led him to working with a local Surrey pumpkin patch to restore a few Tonka trucks on site.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had no clue why anyone would do that to a Tonka truck. It had pretty much ended its useful life, and I just couldn\u2019t stand to just sit there,\u201d he told Peace Arch News.<\/p>\n
That single project left an impact on Vint, and he was later asked to come back and fix more \u2013 which he has ever since that first restoration.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s when it all really kicked off,\u201d said Vint.<\/p>\n
Vint\u2019s love for Tonkas also extends into the classroom.<\/p>\n
Schellenberg, Vint\u2019s 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\u2019s developed around the brand.<\/p>\n
Vint\u2019s installation at the Museum of Surrey showcases his knowledge of Tonkas while also showing his restoration journey.<\/p>\n
Vint said the display walks visitors through the restoration process, featuring trucks in various stages \u2013 from worn and rusted to fully restored \u2013 as well as partially disassembled models that show how each piece comes together.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me they aren\u2019t just toys. They are a part of history that needs to be preserved,\u201d explained Vint.<\/p>\n
Vint credits much of his inspiration to Tonka designer Rob Pauly, who began working with the company in the 1960s.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis story is really inspirational. He started off experimenting and he liked what he was doing, and he got a job doing something he loved,\u201d shared Vint. \u201cI realized I\u2019d kind of like to do that, too, find a job where I can do what I love, which is basically fixing old stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even as the installation is open to the public, Vint says he\u2019s not stopping any time soon.<\/p>\n
\u201cI probably am going to continue doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n