Lots of heads turning as popular reality TV personality from Rust Valley Restorers tours Newfoundland and Labrador

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Some folks just happened to run into him, while some searched high and low without any luck, but Gavin Butt had one of the best encounters with Mike Hall.

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Hall, a towering figure in person, is one of the recognizable faces of the reality television series Rust Valley Restorers.

In recent days, he’s been seen at various locations throughout western Newfoundland.

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Lots of people knew exactly who he was, judging from the multitude of social media posts of them posing with Hall and his easily recognizable 1964 Chevelle Malibu SS.

A drive across the bay

Butt organizes the annual Smash Up for MS a demolition derby held in Gillams to raise awareness of and help those living with multiple sclerosis.

He, as well as his entire family, are also dedicated fans of Rust Valley Restorers, having watched each of the four seasons multiple times.

When he found out Hall would be in the Corner Brook area, Butt sought him out and invited him to his place in Meadows.

Despite the rainy weather, Hall took Butt up on the offer and drove over to the north shore of the Bay of Islands on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 20 to spend some time with the Butts and a few others who heard Hall would be around.

Butts kids gave Hall some Smash Up for MS merchandise, they checked out the old 76 Cadillac Butt is prepping for next years derby and then they headed further out the bay to visit Brian Blanchard in Coxs Cove and have a look at the old 1959 Chevy Impala that Blanchard has restored.

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He said he was overwhelmed with the amount of support he has seen on The Rock and that he hasnt seen anything like that the whole way down, Butt told The Telegram.

‘Phenomenal night’

It didnt take long for word to spread that Hall was on the north shore. People began showing up at Blanchards place and Hall met with more fans later on when they stopped into Parsons Take-out and Convenience in Meadows for a bite to eat.

It was a pretty phenomenal night, said Butt.

My kids were pumped that they got to hang around with him. Hes a very cool guy and I can say that the person you see on the show is who he is in real life. Its not acting. Theyre just showing how he lives his life.

The Telegram tried to contact Hall and the show about the reason for his visit to Newfoundland and Labrador, but was unsuccessful in getting any reply.

While there was no formal schedule to speak of, and nearly every encounter was more or less random, some previous posts on the shows social media pages have used hashtags such as #CrossCanada, #RoadTrip, #PacificToAtlantic and #RustBrosCoast2Coast2024.

My kind of guy

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Blanchard, who has been fixing up antique cars for around four decades or so, is also a die-hard Rust Valley Restorers fan.

Ive watched every show over and over and over again, he said. (Hall) is a very down-to-earth guy who has a lot of good people around him. Hes my kind of guy because he loves to work on cars, too.

Blanchard joined the ranks of the giddy when he heard Hall was in western Newfoundland and could not believe it when Butt called him to say he was on the way to see his beloved Impala.

Blanchard owned a 1959 Impala when he was a teenager and vowed hed get another one if he ever had the chance. He was proud to show off the one he now owns to Hall.

He told me hes not a fan of 1959 four-doors, but told me I have one beautiful car, Blanchard said proudly.

They spent a little more time looking around Blanchards two garages to see what else he had amassed through the years.

It was an awesome experience, he added.

May invite him back

Butt figured there were about 30 people who showed up at Blanchards to meet Hall, who accommodated them as best he could before heading out before it got dark.

He never said no to anybody for a picture or sign their vehicle or sign this or that, said Butt. It was great.

Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the Smash Up for MS and Butt is hoping to arrange to get some well-known celebrities from the car world to attend.

Hall would certainly fit that bill if he’s interested.

Mike loves Newfoundland and I got the connection with him now, so Ill see if I can invite him back and see if he can come down, said Butt. That would be cool.

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