Young Hot Rodder Just Chasing His Dreams
Dayton Valley Days is an event that happens every year in the small town of Dayton, Nev. Locals come out to the event to see different vendor booths, have barbecue and chili cook offs, and get to enjoy some cool classic cars that attend the Dayton Valley Days Car Show "Show N' Shines."
Dale Tatum is local from Dayton. He grew up in Dayton a good portion of his life and ended up settling in Carson City where he graduated.
When Dale was 15 years old, all he wanted was to get a classic car after hearing the stories his father told him about when he was younger. Dale was really inspired and wanted to get a classic car himself.
After months of searching for the right car, Dale stumbled upon a 1965 Plymouth Valiant that he found online. He knew the car was destined to be. After Dale bought the car, he immediately began working on Plymouth Valiant.
This car has so much sentimental value to him. It was the first he ever bought/owned, the car motivated him to get his permit and license, it was the first car he ever worked on, and more importantly, it was a car that would him graduate.
Dale used his '65 Valiant for his high senior project for Carson High School. Every student at Carson High was required to have a senior project in order to graduate.
Dale graduated high school in 2014, but the car wasn't quite finished. Dale and his father continued to work on the car and after a couple of months, the car was ready to fire. Hearing the engine roar for the first time was a dream come true in Dale's eyes. Dale is now 20 years old and after spending 5 years working on the car, he tries to take it to as much car shows as he possibly can.
Dale debuted the car at a Johnny Rockets car back in 2015 and won a "Best of Show" award. That was the beginning of Dale's journey. Dale entered the car for the first time at a Dayton Valley Days car show in 2016 and he took home another award.
This is a story of a young kid chasing his dreams and having them become a reality. Dale will be at as much car shows as he possibly can, just look for a black '65 Plymouth Valiant and Dale will tell you his journey himself.