Dave Kindig Wiki, Bio, Career, Net Worth, Wife, Children: Baylee & Drew.

If you’ve ever watched a tired, classic car roll into a shop and come out looking like it belongs on the cover of a magazine, chances are you’ve seen Dave Kindig’s work in action. The self-taught designer and fabricator from Salt Lake City, Utah, has turned his lifelong passion for cars into an award-winning business, Kindig-It Design, and a hit television career on Bitchin’ Rides. With no formal art or design training, Dave built his reputation the old-fashioned way—through skill, creativity, and an uncompromising eye for detail.

From customizing Lego cars as a kid to transforming high-dollar classics and modern rides into show-stopping machines, Dave’s journey is one of passion meeting perseverance. His builds are known for their flawless finishes, innovative design elements, and the kind of craftsmanship that car lovers dream about. And thanks to the worldwide reach of his TV shows, his shop has become a bucket-list destination for enthusiasts everywhere. This is the story of how a kid with a pencil, a dream, and a love for cars became one of the most recognized names in custom automotive design.

Wiki/Bio Facts

Fact	Description
Name	Dave Kindig
Date of birth	February 6, 1971
Age	52
Place of birth	Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Caucasian
Height	5 feet 7 inches (170 cm)
Weight	68 kg (150 lbs)
Hair color	Brown
Eye color	Brown
Zodiac sign	Aquarius
Gender	Male
Sexuality	Straight
Marital status	Married
Spouse	Charity Kindig
Children	Baylee Kindig and Drew Kindig
Daughter-in-law	Kara Cuillard
Son-in-law	Kaden
Education	Skyline High School
Occupation	Car designer, businessman, reality star, producer
Net worth	$5 million
Company	Kindig-It Design
Location	Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Founded	1999
Services	Custom car restoration and auto fabrication
Website	https://www.kindigit.com
TV show	Bitchin’ Rides
Other TV shows	Best of Top Gear (2019), Beyond Bitchin’ Rides (2015), Bitchin’ Boot Camp (2020)
Producer	Bitchin’ Rides
Awards	Dave won 2007 GM Design Award, 2008 Utah Hot Rod Inductee, 2012 Master Builder Award, 2012 Trendsetter Award (Goodguys), 2013 Ford Design Award

Nationality, Ethnicity, and Zodiac

Dave Rick Kindig was born on February 6, 1971, in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. He is an American of Caucasian descent and falls under the zodiac sign Aquarius, the 11th sign in the astrological chart. While Aquarius is often linked to traits like charisma, spontaneity, and individuality, Dave’s professional reputation reflects a distinctive creative vision that resonates with clients and car enthusiasts.

Early Life

Dave grew up in the Rose Park neighborhood of Salt Lake City, where his creative drive became apparent at an early age. Coming from modest beginnings, he found inspiration in simple tools and toys—Hot Wheels cars, Lego sets, and plastic model kits. He often reworked Lego pieces into custom car models and filled sketchbooks with vehicle drawings, developing a design instinct that would later define his career. By the age of 17, he was customizing Volkswagen Beetles with unique graphics, gaining practical experience that drew attention from friends and local car enthusiasts. Entirely self-taught, Dave skipped art school and college, learning by observing others and refining his skills through hands-on projects. He attended Skyline High School in his hometown before entering the workforce.

Career

Dave began his professional path working at a high-performance coatings company, where he learned about automotive restoration techniques. In June 1999, he took a major leap—quitting his job, cashing out his 401(k) for $4,800, and launching Kindig-It Design with his wife Charity. The shop started in a 4,500-square-foot rented space near 40th South and State Street in Salt Lake City. Over the years, Kindig-It expanded into a 27,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, with an additional 10,000-square-foot warehouse to accommodate growing demand. Today, it’s recognized as one of Utah’s premier destinations for custom car restoration and fabrication, attracting clients from across the globe.

The shop is known for high-end builds ranging from classic restorations to cutting-edge custom creations, including signature models like the Kindig-It CF1 Corvette and award-winning one-off designs. Dave’s team also stays ahead of industry trends by incorporating modern automotive technology, including electric vehicle conversions, while maintaining the craftsmanship that has defined the brand since day one.

Reality Television

Dave Kindig’s television journey began in 2013 with a feature on My Classic Car, where host Dennis Gage showcased his custom Cadillac and Bel Air builds. The following year, he became the star of Bitchin’ Rides, a Motor Trend (formerly Velocity) reality series that follows his team at Kindig-It Design as they transform classic and modern cars into extraordinary custom builds. The show premiered on September 2, 2014, and quickly became the network’s most popular series. Across its run, Bitchin’ Rides featured standout projects including a ’33 Ford Tudor, ’57 Chevrolet Corvette, Audi R8 Spyder, ’69 Camaro, ’62 Volkswagen Bus, and the rare GM Futurliner #3.

The series enjoyed an impressive 11-season run, with Seasons 7–11 airing between 2020 and early 2025. Season 11 premiered on March 12, 2025, and marked the show’s conclusion after more than a decade on air.

In addition to the flagship series, Dave appeared in Beyond Bitchin’ Rides, where he and shop foreman Kevin Schiele revisited their most memorable builds, and Bitchin’ Boot Camp, a competitive show where contestants vied for the chance to join the Kindig-It team. In 2019, he also hosted the Best of Top Gear episode titled “What Budget?”.

Television exposure significantly boosted Kindig-It Design’s profile, attracting clients worldwide, increasing brand recognition, and creating new revenue streams through merchandise, endorsements, and public appearances. The show’s popularity also allowed Dave to invest in his own impressive vehicle collection, which includes his late father’s 1957 Corvette, a 1967 Chevelle, a Ferrari 458, a Porsche Panamera Grand Turismo, custom motorcycles, and other sports and luxury vehicles.

Television Career Timeline

Television Show	Genre	Role	Year
My Classic Car	Documentary	Self	2013
Bitchin’ Rides	Reality/Car Customization & Restoration	Self/Owner/Designer	2014-2025
Beyond Bitchin’ Rides	Reality/Car Restoration	Self/Owner/Designer	2015
Best of Top Gear	Reality	Host	2019
Bitchin’ Boot Camp	Reality/Competition	Host	2020

Net Worth

After more than 20 years in custom car building, Dave Kindig has turned his passion into a thriving business and a recognizable brand. Taking into account his shop’s income, TV work, merchandise, and personal assets, his household net worth (combined with wife Charity) is estimated at around $12–13 million as of August 2025. On the low end, it could be closer to $10 million, while a high estimate reaches about $16 million.

Where the Money Comes From

• Custom builds – High-end projects like the CF1 Corvette can sell for $500,000–$770,000. With a staff of over 40, Kindig‑It Design likely brings in $8–12 million per year.
• Profits – Shops of this size and quality usually run at 20–30% net margins, which works out to roughly $1.6–3.6 million in annual profit.
• Television – Starring in Bitchin’ Rides and related shows likely adds another $300,000–$600,000 per year.
• Merchandise and licensing – Branded apparel, parts, and collectibles could bring in $150,000–$300,000 annually.
• Personal assets – His collection of classic/custom cars, motorcycles, and a high-end two-story garage is likely worth $3–5 million.
• Property – The Kindig family home and any other real estate may add $1–2 million.

In Simple Terms

Dave Kindig’s wealth comes from more than just TV fame. His main income is still from building and restoring high-value cars, with TV and merchandise adding extra income. Add in a valuable vehicle collection and real estate, and it’s easy to see how decades of hard work and business savvy have built him into a multi-millionaire.

Personal Life: Marriage and Family

Dave Kindig has been married to his longtime partner, Charity Kindig, since July 11, 1992. The couple first met at a dance club while Charity was still in high school, and their relationship quickly blossomed. Charity, born on March 2, 1972, shares Dave’s passion for cars and has been a strong supporter of his career from the very beginning. When Dave decided to leave his job to start his own business, she encouraged the move and co‑founded Kindig-It Design with him in 1999. Starting as the company’s secretary, Charity transitioned into the role of Vice President as the business grew.

Over the years, Dave has openly expressed his deep appreciation for Charity. In heartfelt anniversary messages, he has described her as “the most special person” he’s ever met and credited her with filling his life with love, joy, and happiness. He often acknowledges that their shared journey—raising two children, building a business, and achieving their goals—has been the best life he could have wished for. On their 25th anniversary, he called her “my beautiful bride” and said she completes him, adding that without her love and friendship, he would be lost.

The couple has two children. Their eldest, Baylee Kindig, was born on April 12, 1996. Growing up in and around the shop, it was natural for Baylee to start working at Kindig‑It at 16 as a parts runner before moving into the front office as receptionist.

Today, she works upstairs managing the company’s website, marketing, and apparel, and she shares social media management duties with her mother. Although she started with no formal experience, Baylee has developed skills in graphic design, photography, and various Microsoft and Adobe programs—creating a vital role in the company that didn’t exist before. She has a personal love for Volkswagens, inspired by her parents, and owns a ’67 Beetle project car. Baylee also dreams of running her own successful business in the future. In a public congratulatory message, Dave celebrated Baylee’s wedding, expressing how proud he and Charity were to welcome their new son‑in‑law, Kaden, into the family.

Their younger child, Drew Kindig, was born on May 14, 1999. Known in the shop as the “Door Handle Ninja,” Drew grew up in and around Kindig‑It Design and eventually joined the team as a natural next step. Passionate about metal fabrication from a young age, Drew honed his skills working at Boeing, where he helped build tail wings for the 787‑10 aircraft. When the opportunity arose to work alongside his family, he jumped at the chance. At Kindig‑It, he is best known for crafting the shop’s iconic custom door handles. Outside of work, Drew enjoys spending time and going on adventures with his wife, Kara Cuillard, whom he married on May 22, 2022.

Awards and achievement

Dave’s has been praised for his designing works and found himself at the receiving end of  awards. Among the list of awards, Dave won 2007 GM Design Award, 2008 Utah Hot Rod Inductee, 2012 Master Builder Award, 2012 Trendsetter Award (Goodguys), 2013 Ford Design Award. However, Dave has received no awards or nomination for his involvement in documentary and reality television shows.

Lesser-Known Facts About Dave Kindig

• 25 Years in Business, 30 Weekends on the Road – 2024 marked the 25th anniversary of Kindig-It Design, but it was also one of Dave’s busiest years ever, with 30 weekends spent out of town for shows and events.
• First-Ever Riddler Build – Despite his long career, the 1953 Corvette “CF1 Coupe” was the first complete car he personally entered for the Riddler Award. He had designed previous Riddler Great Eight cars for others but was never responsible for the entire build until this one.
• From Napkin Sketch to Show Car – Some of his earlier designs for friends and clients, like the 1958 Cameo pickup “El Cameo,” started as quick napkin sketches over dinner before being fully rendered.
• All-Aluminum Riddler Winner – When the client questioned if a fiberglass-bodied Corvette could win, Dave decided to make it entirely out of aluminum — a rare choice for such builds.
• One-Off V12 Powerplant – The CF1 Coupe runs an Australian-built 9.2L LS-based V12 from Race Cast, developed under an NDA, with a redesigned block, custom oil pan, and nose cone that double as suspension mounts.
• Grew Up a ‘Welfare Kid’ – Raised without a father and moving often, Dave learned to make friends quickly — a skill that now helps him connect with every fan he meets at shows.
• From LEGO to Custom Cars – His design skills were honed as a child by studying Lego instructions and plastic model car kits, learning perspective, vanishing points, and dimension from toy diagrams.
• First Car at Almost 16 – A 1977 Toyota Celica GT, followed by a turquoise 1961 VW Beetle he financed for $1,500 for two years.
• Met Charity Through Cars – He met his wife, Charity, when she owned a 1967 Chevelle built with her father. Her parents took the car away when she moved in with Dave, leading him to buy her a Beetle. Years later, he surprised her on their 25th anniversary with another Chevelle.
• From Guest Appearances to His Own Show – Before Bitchin’ Rides, Dave appeared in 13 episodes of other car shows (My Classic Car, Car Crazy, Hot Rod TV, SEMA coverage, Low Car TV) before Velocity Channel offered him a series.
• GM Futurliner Restoration Sparked TV Deal – His shop’s restoration of the 1939 GM Futurliner caught the attention of network executives, leading to Bitchin’ Rides.
• Motor Trend Era Closing – With Motor Trend shutting down, Dave is ending Bitchin’ Rides “on top” and shifting focus to his CF1 manufacturing program.
• CF1 Program Growth – Half his shop now builds CF1 models, with each being unique in color and trim. They often resell for more than the original purchase price — one went from $450k to $770k at auction within a year.