Dave Kindig built an empire on sheet metal, custom paint, and pure automotive obsession. Best known for heading Kindig-it Design and starring in the hit Motortrend television series Bitchin' Rides, he turned a lifelong passion for hot rods into a multi-million-dollar enterprise. His estimated net worth sits around $6 million to $8 million, driven by decades of high-end vehicle builds, global television distribution, and proprietary automotive ventures.
Understanding how he amassed this wealth requires looking past standard celebrity finance rumors. His financial standing stems from tangible business operations in Salt Lake City, Utah, where his shop turns out six-figure custom builds for clients worldwide.
Origins of Kindig-it Design
Before launching his custom shop, Kindig spent years honing his craft without formal art or automotive degrees. Growing up in a working-class family, he spent his childhood drawing hot rods and building model cars. He worked for about eight years in high-performance coatings, gaining practical knowledge of materials and specialized finishes that later set his builds apart.
In 1999, Kindig and his wife, Charity, founded Kindig-it Design in a modest space. Charity managed the business side and administrative books, allowing Dave to focus entirely on creative design and metal fabrication. The shop expanded into a 27,000-square-foot facility featuring in-house metal fabrication, paint booths, and upholstery shops. Operating a facility of this scale with roughly two dozen specialized craftsmen generates steady corporate revenue, with annual shop earnings estimated around $6 million.
The Financial Impact of Bitchin' Rides
Television exposure turned a successful local custom shop into a global brand. When network executives discovered Kindig's work online, they pitched a reality format. Unlike many reality shows that manufacture drama, Kindig negotiated a strict condition: cameras would capture real work without forcing fake shop conflicts or stopping builds for artificial TV deadlines.
Bitchin' Rides premiered on the MotorTrend network and eventually broadcast in nearly 200 countries. This massive global reach created multiple financial streams:
- Television Production Salaries: Principal talent on long-running automotive lifestyle shows earn substantial per-episode fees alongside syndication residuals.
- Global Brand Recognition: Exposure drove high-net-worth car collectors directly to his Salt Lake City shop, creating years-long waiting lists for custom projects.
- Merchandise and Licensing: Branded apparel, automotive accessories, and collectibles generate passive corporate revenue.
Expanding Beyond Custom Restorations
Relying solely on customer-owned cars caps a custom shop's earning potential. Kindig tackled this limitation by introducing proprietary vehicle lines. The most notable project is the Kindig CF1, a carbon-fiber replica of a classic Corvette roadster built entirely from molds owned by the company.
Developing a proprietary vehicle shifts a business from service-based labor to product manufacturing. Each CF1 commands hundreds of thousands of dollars, elevating profit margins well past standard restoration work. Furthermore, the company expanded its digital footprint through platforms like YouTube, capturing ad revenue and maintaining direct connections with fans outside traditional cable television.
Industry Recognition and Awards
Wealth in the custom car community directly correlates with prestige. Judges at major automotive events evaluate craftsmanship down to the microscopic level, and winning top-tier trophies spikes the market value of any shop's portfolio.
Kindig's team captured major accolades within the hot-rodding community, culminating in winning the prestigious Ridler Award at the Detroit Autorama. Securing the Ridler Award places a builder in an elite tier of automotive designers, instantly increasing the appraisal value of past and future builds commissioned through the shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a custom car from Kindig-it Design cost?
Builds from the shop routinely start well into the six-figure range, often exceeding $300,000 to $500,000 depending on the complexity of the metalwork, custom chassis engineering, and interior finishes. Every vehicle requires thousands of hours of specialized labor.
Does Charity Kindig own part of the business?
Yes. Charity Kindig co-founded Kindig-it Design with Dave and serves as vice president, handling financial operations, human resources, and business management while Dave runs the creative shop floor.
What is Dave Kindig's background in design?
Kindig is entirely self-taught. He never attended formal design or automotive trade schools, instead developing his eye through drawing hot rods, working with high-performance coatings, and practicing hands-on metal fabrication.
Where is Kindig-it Design located?
The operational headquarters and custom workshop are located in Salt Lake City, Utah, where local teams manage complete ground-up builds from concept sketching to final clear coat.
