Restoring Valiant Was Fam Affair

Ron Hall and his 19-year-old daughter, Shaelyn, restored a 1972 Plymouth Valiant after purchasing the vehicle for $300. (SR photo: Tyler Tjomsland)

For years, 19-year-old Shaelyn Hall saw the 1972 Plymouth Valiant lying in a neighbor’s field. Even as a small child, something about the vehicle caught her attention. “I always liked older cars. I always thought they were cool,” she said. “I always thought the newer ones all look kind of the same.” So, when the owner of the car, Paul Smith, returned from living in Alaska, Hall jumped at the chance to buy it. Her father, Ron Hall, supported her, seeing an opportunity for a fun family learning project. In January 2014 the Halls, with the help of Smith, moved the car into their garage near Cheney and named it Lola. They paid Smith $300. That was the start of an old-time automobile restoration project, facilitated by modern technology. And on Friday it will take the Hall family across the country/ Eli Francovich , SR. More here.

Question: Have you restored an old car?