Restored truck makes Snap-on calendar

Kevin Kimp restored a rusted out 1960 Chevrolet C-10 Custom pickup into a truck that’s getting national attention.

The pickup purchased by the Bonners Ferry man three years ago appears on the cover of the 2010 edition of the popular Snap-on Snapshots calendar. The truck, chosen by Snap-on from  hundreds of entries, is also featured on the page for February.

“We were pretty excited about it,” Kimp said. “That’s a big deal for a national calendar like that.”

“He put a lot of work into it and it was very rewarding,” his wife, Marisue Kimp, added.

Kevin Kimp paid $2,000 for the truck, which he described as being “just all in parts and primer and a lot of rust.” He spent about a year restoring it with help on the upholstery and body and paint work.

His wife had no problem with her husband taking on the project.

“Actually, I was thrilled to death,” Marisue Kimp said. “My dead is an old street rodder. I tell everyone I grew up in a rubble seat. I was excited when he (Kevin Kimp) caught the bug to build something.”

Kevin Kimp put hundreds of hours into the truck — three to five hours every night.

“I really enjoyed doing it,” he said.

“His attention to detail is amazing,” Marisue Kimp added. “He’s very meticulous.”

An employee for Panhandle Tools in Coeur d’Alene, which sells Snap-on tools, nominated the Kimp’s truck for the calendar.

The couple has taken the truck to car shows in Spokane and Pullyup, Wash.; Libby, Mont.; Creston, British Columbia; and Sandpoint. The truck won the People’s Choice award during the 2009 Bonners Ferry Rod Bender’s car show.