Winkler police chief restoring car into vintage police cruiser

Winkler’s police chief is customizing his personal car into something special. Harrison Shin has more.

A Manitoba man combined his love for car restoration and his work with the Winkler Police Service into a clever creation that’s catching the attention of his community.

Winkler Police Chief Ryan Hunt has transformed a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme—which he bought in 2006 as his personal vehicle—into a version of a vintage police car.

Hunt said the restoration, which includes a custom design, has been a labour of love.

“I just thought it’d be cool to add a police logo onto it that’s kind of similar to our old Winkler police logo,” he said.

“We tried to make it look as similar as possible, and then to add the emergency light on the roof.”

The task was not easy and required Hunt to undertake a frame-off restoration.

“So, the frame came off, (I) powder coated and painted,” he said.

“The underside is all painted, new interior—every nut and bolt has been cleaned up, and it’s basically a new car."

Though it’s not being used for actual police duties, the car is garnering attention.

“Lots of positive responses,” Hunt said.

“And when it’s parked out here in front of the police service, there’s people walking by, and they take pictures of it.”

Hunt said he hopes to drive the car in Winkler’s upcoming Tractor Trek, adding that he sees the car as more than just a mode of transportation.

“It’s just another way to connect with the community.”