Hope Sellars, a junior at Calvary Christian School, showcases her meticulously restored 1960 VW Beetle. This remarkable feat began in 2011 when she was just 4 years old and first laid eyes on a classic car at the Champaign Cruisers Car Club. Her desire to own and restore a vintage Beetle led her on a four-year journey of hard work and dedication.

From Rusty Shell to Priceless Beauty

At the age of 12, Hope spotted a tarnished 1960 VW bug on Craigslist and purchased it for $960. It was a rusty, incomplete shell with no motor or interior, but she saw its potential. With the help of her family, especially her dad David who taught her about restoration, she set to work. Over the years, she learned various skills such as body work, installing seat kits and glass, shooting paint, and welding. The car had endured years of exposure to rain and snow in a three-sided barn, leaving it severely rusted. Yet, Hope's determination prevailed. She put in about $4,500 of her own money earned through babysitting, mowing, and working around the house. Today, the car is worth approximately $15,000, a testament to her hard work.

Recognition in the Classic Car Circuit

Hope's efforts did not go unnoticed. She earned two honors at the annual Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Chicago. The Leading Lady Award from MK Insurance and the Shining Star Award recognized her abilities and perseverance. In early June, she attended the five-day Hot Rod Power Tour and was asked to display her bug in the Continental Tires vendor booth at Bowling Green, Kentucky. There, she met Bob Ashton, who was passionate about seeing the younger generation work on cars and invited her to the nationals. Alongside her cousin Owen and his restored 1948 F-1 Ford truck, they added their vehicles to a row of cars fixed up by kids their age and participated in a questions-and-answers panel.

Young and Female in a Male-Dominated Field

Being so young and female meant Hope received a lot of attention at the nationals. People stopped by to watch her and David assemble a new motor for her car live at the show, which is not common. This experience led to an interview for an upcoming podcast. Her dad's words, "She accomplished a goal that many people start and never finish. Let your kids dream their dreams and work hard for it," resonate with her. Although she enjoys restoring cars and might take on another Volkswagen someday, she sees it more as a hobby than a career. Currently, she is interested in attending Cedarville University to pursue a degree in biblical counseling.