CARLYLE - Nearly everyone has some sort of hobby. But not everyone has a hobby like Kelly Dew.
Dew and his wife Kim have lived in Carlyle since 1996. He is a co-owner of Carlyle R.V. and Leisure and is also the service manager in charge of all mechanical work and repairs.
Ever since growing up on a farm near Windthorst, Dew has absolutely loved fixing things, pulling pieces of machinery apart and putting them back together. A couple of decades ago, he started purchasing and repairing old cars, from top to bottom.
The results have been simply astounding.
Behind his residence, Dew has two garages. The 30-foot by 40-foot “man garage” houses his trophy vehicles, which he proudly displayed to the Observer. The smaller garage is used for tinkering, rebuilding and restoration.
The first vehicle that Dew ever restored was a 1975 Chevy truck. With the help of his dad, it was purchased for a couple of loads of barley. It may be noted that all of Dew’s talents, be it mechanical or auto body, are self-taught. He did not attend any trade schools.
In the main garage, Dew showed us his 1968 Chevrolet C10 short box pickup. It has a 502-cubic inch motor and is coloured speedway blue. Dew purchased the truck in 2003 from a private party in North Carolina. It was fully restored from the frame on up, including the engine, in 2013.
The next vehicle profiled was a 1968 Laguna Blue Camaro SS. It was purchased from a California owner in 2014 and completely restored in 2021. Everything, including the frame, was rebuilt and houses a 533-c.c. motor.
Also in the main garage is a brand new 650-horsepower 2021 Chevy Camaro ZL1. Like all of his vehicles, it is also blue, painted with a shade called riverside blue metallic. Dew decided to treat himself to this beautiful vehicle which was custom ordered from the factory.
In the smaller garage, Dew is now restoring a 1965 Chevrolet Corvair. This one is silver blue in color and the motor is housed in the trunk. This is Dew’s main project for 2022 and will likely take a couple of years to complete. It is also obvious to see Dew’s favourite colour.
With COVID restrictions lifting daily, Dew looks forward to attending a number of auto shows this summer.
“Finally, we will be able to meet and greet one another again this year. I plan on attending the Majestics Car Show in Regina this year and the Super Run show in Brandon. And of course, our own Cornerstone Cruisers event at Kenosee Lake.”
As per their website, Cornerstone Cruisers is a registered non-profit member owned corporation located in southeastern Saskatchewan. It is committed to the restoration, preservation, and appreciation of past, present and future vehicles and enjoy the camaraderie of those that enjoy the same.
The Cruisers’ seventh annual Show and Shine will be held at the Kenosee Lake Beach parking lot on July 9.
Concluded Dew, “Everyone has a hobby. Mine is just a little different than most and although very time-consuming, it brings me a lot of joy and personal satisfaction. There is nothing better than restoring old vehicles to their original state.”
