Joe Zolper [Garage Squad] Wiki, Bio, Age, Wife, Kids, Net Worth.

Joe Zolper gained national recognition as the lead mechanic on Garage Squad, a hit automotive reality series known for rescuing unfinished car projects. With over two decades of hands-on experience in fabrication, engine building, and custom restoration, Zolper brought real-world expertise to television screens for eight seasons. Beyond his TV role, he is the founder of Prison City Choppers, the organizer behind Builder Brawl, and a lifelong advocate for authentic car culture. Off the track and outside the shop, Zolper is also a dedicated husband and father, often working alongside his wife and daughter on family-built racing and fabrication projects.

Early Life and Upbringing

Joe Zolper was born on July 4, 1977, and raised in Illinois. Growing up in a working-class, farm-based household, he was surrounded by tools, engines, and the relentless work ethic of a family of mechanics. His grandfather’s farm was the first workshop, where improvisation and self-reliance were everyday lessons.

“I was the kid at six or seven who tore apart my toys to see how they work.”

Joe’s fascination with machines started early. By the time he was a teenager, he was already pulling engines, learning not just from instruction but through real, often messy, hands-on experience.

Early Career and Passion for Mechanics

By the age of 18, Joe was working independently on any machine he could get his hands on—garbage trucks, lawnmowers, port-a-john rigs—anything with a motor. He once said:

“I like anything with a motor. I’m not picky.”

After gaining experience in several garages and machine shops, Joe launched Prison City Chopper & Customs at age 23 in Joliet, Illinois. The shop specialized in performance engines, custom motorcycles, drag race fabrication, and full-frame car restorations. It quickly became one of the Midwest’s most respected custom garages, earning awards like Best in Show and People’s Choice at major events such as World of Wheels and Super Cycles.

Zolper’s capabilities extend across the board—engine builder, welder, fabricator, electrician, and sheet metal specialist. His multi-disciplinary expertise and in-house, self-taught approach made his garage known for craftsmanship, reliability, and innovation.

The Birth of Prison City Choppers and Automotive Business Ventures

Founded in his early twenties, Prison City Choppers represents Joe’s approach to craftsmanship: creative, resilient, and always hands-on. Known for high-end custom motorcycles, engine builds, and car restorations, the shop stands as a testament to blue-collar innovation. Joe’s work isn’t just about horsepower—it’s about identity, precision, and pride.

Garage Squad: Television Breakthrough

Joe Zolper rose to national prominence as the lead mechanic on Velocity/MotorTrend’s Garage Squad, which debuted in 2014 and concluded in 2021 after eight seasons. The series focused on completing long-abandoned personal car projects, often under tight time constraints.

Zolper’s responsibilities included overseeing engine diagnostics, custom fabrication, and ensuring each build stayed on track. Throughout the show’s run, he worked alongside personalities such as Bruno Massel, Heather Storm, and Cristy Lee, contributing both technical leadership and mentorship.

In a Facebook post dated April 12, 2023, Joe confirmed the official end of Garage Squad. He wrote:

“Yes! Garage Squad is over!!!!!!! (canceled, shut down, gone ) I’m moving on to other things some big some small. People ask me all the time. What are you gonna do next and I tell them ‘just be happy’ and spend more time with my daughter and my wife.”

Builders Brawl

After Garage Squad, Joe Zolper launched Builders Brawl, a competitive drag racing event held at Cordova Dragway in Illinois. The event focuses on spotlighting genuine builders—racers who have fabricated or assembled their own vehicles. Participants undergo a builder verification process, and the payout structure favors verified builders, who receive 100% of the prize compared to 75% for non-builders.

Builders Brawl includes various classes such as Daily Driver, Street Muscle, 10.5 Showdown, and Junior Dragsters. The event promotes credibility and technical self-reliance. Competitors may even challenge one another’s builder status, reinforcing the event’s integrity-first culture.

In a May 2025 Facebook post, Joe described the difficulty of getting support for the event, stating:

“Apparently being a God-fearing family man and trying to do something better for the industry is a no no!… I have supported all types of racing on and off the TV set… this is the only race of its kind actually putting back into the Car culture for the younger generation and showing appreciation for talent in the industry.”

The competition reflects Joe’s ethos: craftsmanship over flash, and knowledge over budget.

Family Life: Wife and Children

Joe Zolper is deeply rooted in his identity as a husband and father. He is married to Jennifer Zolper, a passionate and resilient drag racer who pilots a 1969 Plymouth Barracuda named “Ruby.” Their shared love for racing and car culture has become the foundation of their family’s dynamic.

Joe often speaks proudly of Jennifer’s strength. In April 2019, he publicly praised her resilience after undergoing knee surgery for the second time. Despite facing medical challenges—including battling an infection in late 2021—Jennifer continued to race and even took home a win with her ’71 Demon, a victory Joe said “helped more than you could ever know.”

Their daughter Ruby Zolper is equally immersed in the automotive world. Starting from a young age, she participated in junior drag racing and took second place at Route 66 Raceway, earning a trophy and jacket in 2018. Joe proudly shared that raising Ruby around cars helped keep her “out of trouble.”

By 2021, Ruby was racing alongside her father, and Joe hinted that Jennifer would join them next season. In his words: “Me and Ruby are all done racing for the season! Thank you everyone for all the support! Next season hopefully my wife will be out with us in her car we are building.”

Joe’s Facebook posts frequently reflect a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for his family. From showcasing his daughter’s growth and involvement in shop work to celebrating wins and personal milestones, he consistently reinforces the values of hard work, family unity, and passion.

Their wedding day, as Joe fondly recounted in a 2017 post, was a chaotic and memorable occasion. The couple nearly missed their ceremony because the General Lee—Joe’s iconic Dodge Charger—wouldn’t start. The delay reportedly irritated the priest, but the couple still made it to the altar. Photos from the day show the couple kneeling before the altar, Joe’s shoes humorously marked with “HELP ME,” and the famous car parked proudly outside the church. True to character, the newlyweds left the ceremony in a limo.

Together, the Zolpers also worked on a major project: building a custom hauler truck named The Kraken, a family-built home-on-wheels. Joe described the undertaking as a dream project accomplished by himself, his wife, and daughter—with help from a few friends—symbolizing their commitment, teamwork, and vision.

Whether it’s fabricating a Daytona car together or simply enjoying time at the racetrack, the Zolper household thrives on shared effort, mutual support, and horsepower-fueled love.

Philosophy and Influence in the Automotive World

More than a television figure, Joe Zolper is an advocate for authentic car culture. He believes in passing down mechanical skills through mentorship, and often speaks at local high schools and shop classes to encourage younger generations.

“Just because something can’t be fixed by the book doesn’t mean it can’t be fixed and done well.”

His passion is evident not just in the builds, but in how he treats people—whether it’s mentoring a novice or donating time to community projects. Through Garage Squad, many cars are returned to deserving owners who couldn’t finish them due to illness, financial hardship, or personal loss—bringing emotional resolution and real impact.

Notable Projects and Builds

Joe’s builds are functional and artistic—always grounded in technical excellence. A few standout projects include:

• A 1967 Chevy Camaro pulled from decades of neglect and fully restored
• A Pro Mod-style drag car built for 2,000+ horsepower competition
• A 1969 Plymouth Barracuda nicknamed “Ruby,” raced by his wife Jennifer

In an October 2023 episode of Three Lefts Don’t Make a Right, Joe also revealed he was working on a Cadillac CTS-V and a project known as the Sticky Green Love Machine—both showcasing his relentless pace and obsession with perfection, even off-camera.

Controversy Over Hiring Practices

In July 2025, Joe Zolper drew widespread attention after posting a video titled Hiring!? No!!, in which he explained why he would no longer hire young kids—drawing from his experiences as a shop owner over the past 25 years. Joe described how he used to hire high school students to help after school, sweep the shop, and learn the ropes of mechanical work.

However, over time, he began to experience challenges with young employees who lacked basic work skills, required constant instruction, or were overly shielded by their parents. He shared one specific story where a 17-year-old employee made a $600 mistake, was disciplined, and then had his parent confront Joe the next day—a breach of his long-standing rule that no parent should ever intervene in shop matters.

Joe used the video to express broader concerns about a generational decline in hands-on skills, common sense, and personal accountability. He stated that coddling and over-involvement by parents have left many teenagers ill-equipped for real-world work environments.

The video received over 1.5 million views on Facebook and sparked widespread debate. While some applauded Joe’s honesty and emphasis on trade discipline, others criticized the message as outdated or too harsh. Joe, however, remained unapologetic, stating that toughness, accountability, and discipline are necessary traits in garage work—and life.

Net Worth and Business Success

While Joe Zolper does not publicly disclose his finances, a grounded estimate—based on industry comparisons with custom garage owners, drag racers, and TV personalities—places his net worth somewhere between $600,000 and $1.2 million.

This estimate factors in:

• Eight seasons of Garage Squad appearances
• Revenue from Prison City Choppers
• Event hosting and appearances (e.g., Builder Brawl)
• Sponsorships and merchandise potential

Prison City Choppers remains a thriving custom garage, building motorcycles, race cars, and engines that embody Joe’s ethic: no shortcuts, no excuses.

Joe Zolper – Wiki Bio Facts

Field	Details
Full Name	Joe Zolper
Date of Birth	July 4, 1977
Age	48 years old (as of 2025)
Birthplace	Illinois, USA
Profession	Mechanic, Fabricator, TV Personality, Event Organizer
Known For	Lead Mechanic on Garage Squad, Founder of Prison City Choppers
TV Debut	Garage Squad (2014)
Spouse	Jennifer Zolper
Children	1 daughter – Ruby Zolper
Notable Builds	“Ruby” ’69 Barracuda, The Kraken Hauler, Sticky Green Love Machine
Custom Shop	Prison City Choppers (Founded in Joliet, IL)
Events Founded	Builder Brawl
Estimated Net Worth	$600,000 – $1.2 million (based on garage income, racing, and media work)
Years Active	1990s–present
Social Media	Facebook (@JoeZolper), Instagram (@prisoncityjoe)
Hobbies	Drag racing, fabrication, working on cars with family
Residence	Illinois, USA