Classic car restorer, Keith Kemp, has been finding long forgotten rusted out cars and trucks for about 35 years, and he lovingly brings them back to life in his shop north of Killarney. It's a true labor of love.
Kemp says his passion started in classic car restoration somewhere in the late 1990's, his first project being a 1959 '98 Olds. That started the thrill to collect and restore classics that caught his attention, not looking at the vehicle in its sorry state, but rather seeing what it could look like with a bit of tender loving care, patience and lots of elbow grease!
"I enjoy it. I've always loved vehicles and if something catches my eye, it just keeps haunting me until it follows me home, I guess," he laughs.
One of his most special classics is the 1941 Diamond T, a one-ton grain truck that once belonged to his father-in-law, LaverneTufts. The grain truck was out in Gene Henderson's pasture out by Wakopa east of the Turtle Mountains, and it took a phone call to bring Keith and Joan out to take a look.
"Gene called me one day and said you better come out and see this truck that's out sitting in my pasture," explains Keith. "So, Joan came with me, and it was a wet, drizzly day. We got our rubber boots and walked across this pasture and all of a sudden, Joan seen this truck in the trees. And it still had her dad's name written on the door which he painted with a paint brush, because the police had stopped him and had given him a ticket for not having his name on his truck. So, this old truck had to come home."
"So, that's what got us started and we've been rolling ever since!"
A devastating fire in 2019 destroyed Keith's shop and four classic cars, including the little red '41 Diamond T. His first, the 1959 '98 Olds was also lost in the fire. Keith sustained major burns and was transported to Winnipeg by STARS Air Ambulance.
"Then I woke up in the burn unit in Winnipeg, but I'm very fortunate. I give a lot of credit to our local hospital, our ambulance drivers and our fire department and STARS," shares Kemp. "If it wasn't for them all working together, I possibly wouldn't be here, but I'm here to talk about it now, so it turned out good."
Keith was still in hospital when Joan's dad, Laverne Tufts, nearing 98 years old at the time, took a look at the charred remains of the Diamond T and said the little red truck could come back to life.
"We did spend a couple of winters bringing it back and it's looking as good as ever," says Keith.
The Kemps have returned home from car shows with awards for that '41 grain truck. But Keith says they're not looking for awards now. "We're just happy to get them again after the fire but now it's just a matter of driving it and showing it. We're proud of it."
Kemp is instrumental in the monthly car show that takes place in Killarney throughout the summer. Once a month during June, July and August fellow collectors shine up their show cars and display them on Killarney's main street. He says this has become a unique and wonderful way to build community with folks coming out with lawn chairs to listen to local live music, visit with neighbors and enjoy the street party that showcases these beauties of the past.
Both Keith and Joan still keep their eyes peeled for that car or truck that has hopes for restoration, or one that is already restored and ready to cruise the streets.
About a month ago, Joan saw a car online that caught her attention, a 1948 Pontiac rebuilt by Rob Rose out of Brandon about 21 years ago, then owned by a collector in Winnipeg. "Rob did it for this fellow in Winnipeg and he redid the power train last winter, but not the paint," shares Keith. "That's a beautiful car and we really enjoy it. Joan loved her hot rod, and she loved the Diamond T, but she wanted a hot rod with 4 seats so we could take another couple with us. So, she seen this and every time I came to the house, she had it up on the computer, and eventually it had to come home!"
The graphics of Mickey Mouse's "It's magic" was hand-painted on the back of Joan's '48 Pontiac!
Please listen to more with Keith Kemp below and take a look at the different pictures that match the stories that Keith talks about!