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For Saskatoon’s Brenden Bruneau, his wife Amy, and their two kids, Ferris and Sierra, the TV show “Scooby-Doo” is more than just a nostalgic favorite — it’s a family passion.
The self-named “car enthusiast family” has channelled their love for the show into a remarkable project, embodying their enthusiasm with every detail.
The project began in 2020, when Bruneau’s family was unsure how Halloween would unfold.
To make the holiday special, they decided to purchase a 1966 Ford Econoline van and transform it into the iconic Mystery Machine from the classic 1960s cartoon. This way, the Bruneau family could still celebrate Halloween by engaging in “reverse trick-or-treating.”
This year, the family is making their third appearance at the Rock 102 Show and Shine to showcase their van. The Mystery Machine has also appeared at local car shows and entertainment expos across the province.
Bruneau explained that the van was initially in poor condition, having been retrieved from a field and overrun by mice.
Despite these challenges, the family successfully recreated the iconic psychedelic look of the Mystery Machine, meticulously matching the paint and hand-painting the design. Amy takes particular pride in the fact that each side of the van matches perfectly and looks identical to the cartoon.
Whether they’re heading out for supper or grabbing ice cream, the Bruneau family cherishes time spent in their van.
“Every time we come out of the restaurant there’s always a crew huddled around it,” he said.
Ferris especially enjoys sharing their van with other kids, handing out Scooby-Doo themed stickers to neighborhood children and welcoming them as “honorary Scooby-Doo members.”
“I really love the build my family and me did together,” Ferris said.
This is the third year the Bruneau family’s Mystery Machine will appear at the Rock 102 Show and Shine in Saskatoon. (Bruneau family/Submitted)
What Bruneau treasures most is the joy the van brings to those who see it.
“It brings back so many childhood memories,” he said, noting that people of all ages instantly recognize and appreciate the Scooby-Doo van.
“There’s so many vehicles one could walk by, whether it be in the parking lot or on the street- you cannot walk by this van without having a big grin,” Bruneau said.
Bruneau’s passion for cars, which began in his youth, has been a constant throughout his life. After meeting Amy, the couple shared this enthusiasm, collaborating on rebuilding a classic car.
The Scooby-Doo van marks the first project they’ve completed as a family.
EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this story spelled Brenden Bruneau’s name incorrectly. We regret the error.
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