Vermilion native Shane Thomas got the shock of a lifetime this week when a surprise visitor revved up outside his door—none other than Mike Hall, the charismatic star of Rust Valley Restorers on the History Channel!
It all started with a plan hatched by Shane’s older brother, Bryan Thomas, who now lives in Okanagan, British Columbia, and owns B.C. Auto Wreckers. Bryan, a car enthusiast like his brother, made a big purchase about three years ago—Mike Hall’s famous “Field of Dreams” acreage in Tappen, B.C., home to the legendary Rust Bros.
Mike Hall, known for his rust-to-riches car restorations, was on a cross-Canada promotional tour with his team when Bryan learned their route would take them through Highway 16 in Alberta, instead of the usual Highway 1. Seizing the opportunity, Bryan contacted Mike to arrange a special detour—to Vermilion, for a surprise visit to his biggest fan: Shane Thomas.
“This past week has been extremely exciting! Keeping Mike’s visit a secret from Shane was a challenge, to say the least,” laughed Betty Thomas, Shane’s mother. “The meet-up time changed a few times, and there were some hiccups, but it all came together beautifully,” she added with a smile.
To pull off the perfect surprise, Betty had to tell a little white lie, fabricating a meeting with some folks so Shane wouldn’t suspect a thing. She even found a clever way to get him to wear his beloved Rust Bros shirt, without giving away the real reason!
On September 5, Shane’s family dog started barking, signaling the arrival of an unexpected guest. When Shane opened the door, he froze in shock—there, standing by his 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle, was Mike Hall himself.
“Shane was completely speechless! He couldn’t believe it,” Betty recalled. At first, Shane assumed the conversation outside was about cars—something common in his household. “I thought it was my brother Bryan talking with everyone about cars. I didn’t expect it to be Mike Hall!” Shane said, still buzzing from the excitement.
To top it off, Mike offered Shane a seat in his iconic ‘64 Chevelle. When Shane instinctively went to sit in the passenger seat, Mike stopped him with a grin, “No, you sit here—in the driver’s seat.”
For Shane, it was the dream encounter of a lifetime, and even Vermilion locals who bumped into Mike at breakfast earlier that day shared in the excitement. It was a period filled with cars, camaraderie, and one unforgettable surprise.
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