Dave Kindig Net Worth 2026, Age, Wife, Cars & Bitchin’ Rides

Dave Kindig is one of those rare builders whose work speaks before he ever does. His cars stand out not because they are loud or overdone, but because they feel right. Clean lines, balanced proportions, and thoughtful details define everything he creates. Whether you are a longtime car enthusiast or someone new to custom builds, his designs are easy to appreciate and hard to forget.

What makes his story compelling is how grounded it is. He did not come from money or formal design schools. He learned by drawing, experimenting, and putting in long hours at the shop. Over time, that hands-on approach turned a childhood passion into a respected career that reshaped modern custom car culture.

Today, his journey from sketchbook dreams to award-winning builds continues to inspire builders and fans around the world. It is a story about patience, family support, and staying true to a vision even as success grows.

Who Is Dave Kindig?

Dave Kindig is an American custom car designer and builder known for turning classic vehicles into clean, modern showpieces. He is the founder of Kindig-It Design, a well-known custom car shop based in Salt Lake City, Utah. From full restorations to one-off custom builds, his work stands out for its smooth lines, balanced proportions, and attention to detail. Unlike many designers, he relies heavily on hand-drawn sketches instead of computers, which gives his cars a personal and timeless feel that fans instantly recognize.

What makes Dave different is how he built his career from the ground up without formal design schooling. He learned by doing, improving his skills through real shop experience and years of trial and error. His approach focuses on craftsmanship, patience, and function rather than trends. Over time, this mindset helped him earn respect within the automotive world and build a loyal fan base that appreciates quality over flash.

Dave Kindig Quick Facts

Category	Details
Full Name	Dave Kindig
Date of Birth	February 6, 1971
Age	54 years old
Birthplace	Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Caucasian
Height	5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
Weight	Around 150 lbs (68 kg)
Hair Color	Dark brown with some gray
Eye Color	Brown
Profession	Custom car designer, entrepreneur, TV personality
Known For	Kindig-It Design, Bitchin’ Rides, Ridler Award winner
Wife	Charity Kindig (m. 1992)
Children	Baylee Kindig, Drew Kindig
Residence	Private home in Salt Lake City area, Utah
Notable Awards	2024 Ridler Award, GM Design Award (2007), Ford Design Award (2013), Master Builder Award (2012)
Net Worth	Estimated $5–8 million
Business	Founder and co-owner of Kindig-It Design
Hobbies & Interests	Golf, car shows, family time, mentoring team members

Dave Kindig Age

Dave Kindig was born on February 6, 1971. As of January 2026, he is 54 years old and will turn 55 in February. His age reflects decades of hands-on experience in custom car design, not just years spent in front of television cameras. Every stage of his career has refined his eye for detail, proportion, and functionality, making his work more polished with time.

Public interest in age and personal milestones is common with well-known figures in the public eye. Similar curiosity can be seen in online searches related to adonis age, where fans want to understand how different generations of public figures grow and evolve under attention. In Dave Kindig’s case, age represents experience, confidence, and consistency rather than slowdown.

Even in his mid-50s, Dave remains deeply involved in daily shop operations. He continues to hand-sketch designs, oversee builds, and collaborate closely with his team, proving that passion and craftsmanship only strengthen with time.

Early Life and Background

Dave Kindig grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, in a hardworking, no-frills family where creativity came from using your hands. As a kid, he was always drawing cars, building models, and imagining how vehicles could look different from factory designs. His grandfather showed him basic metalworking skills early on, which helped him understand how raw materials could be shaped into something useful. Those early experiences sparked a deep interest in how cars were built, not just how they looked.

Instead of going to design school, Dave taught himself through practice and persistence. As a teenager, he began modifying Volkswagen Beetles, experimenting with body lines and details that set his work apart. He learned through trial and error, fixing mistakes and improving with every project. This hands-on approach built his confidence and shaped his design style, which focuses on clean lines and real-world function.

Dave Kindig Wife and Family

Dave Kindig’s wife, Charity Kindig, has been by his side long before the fame and TV success. They met when they were young and got married in 1992, building both their life and business together. Charity is not just a supportive partner at home but a key part of the company. She helps run daily operations, manages schedules, and keeps the business side organized, which allows the creative work to flow smoothly. Their long marriage is often admired because it shows stability, trust, and teamwork behind the scenes.

Their two children grew up around the shop, learning the value of hard work early on. Today, both are involved in the business in their own ways, contributing skills that support the brand. Despite success and public attention, Dave keeps family life private and grounded, focusing on spending time together and staying close to their roots. This strong family foundation is one of the main reasons his career has remained steady and respected over the years.

Dave Kindig Height and Physical Appearance

Dave Kindig stands at 5 feet 5 inches, giving him a compact and agile presence. He maintains a fit and healthy build, which helps him handle the physical demands of car fabrication, from bending metal to overseeing intricate assemblies. His casual, approachable style reflects the practical, no-nonsense approach he brings to both his work and public appearances.

With dark brown hair that has hints of gray and warm brown eyes, he has a look that feels relatable yet confident. He often wears clean, functional clothing suited for the shop, which adds to his down-to-earth image. Fans recognize him not just for his cars but for his calm and friendly demeanor, making him approachable at events and on television.

Career Journey and Major Highlights

Dave’s career is a story of steady growth, smart risks, and learning by doing. Each stage of his journey built the skills and confidence needed to run one of the most respected custom car shops in the industry.

Early Professional Experience

Before starting his own business, Dave worked regular jobs related to design and automotive finishes. He spent time in graphic design, which helped him understand proportions, balance, and visual flow. Later, he worked in high-performance coatings, where he learned about paint systems, durability, and surface prep.

These early roles gave him real-world knowledge and taught him how professional shops operate. He was not building show cars yet, but he was learning what quality really means.

Building Kindig-It Design Into a Known Name

In 1999, Dave Kindig made a life-changing decision. He left steady employment and opened a small shop with his wife using limited savings. The operation began in a modest garage with basic tools and long hours. At first, the work focused on custom parts, paint jobs, and restorations.

As demand increased, the shop expanded into a full-scale facility. Everything moved in-house, including fabrication, paint, and final assembly. Dave continued sketching every build by hand. That personal design process became a signature of the shop and helped set it apart from competitors using computer-only concepts.

Television Exposure and Industry Recognition

National attention came when the shop’s work was featured on television. The exposure brought new clients and a global audience. More importantly, it showed real craftsmanship rather than staged drama. The show highlighted the full process, from early sketches to final reveals, and helped establish the shop as a leader in modern custom car design.

Awards and Achievements

• Dave Kindig won the Ridler Award in 2024 for his incredible TwelveAir build, one of the most prestigious honors in custom car design.
• He received the GM Design Award in 2007, recognizing his early innovative work in automotive styling.
• In 2012, he earned the Master Builder Award, showing his growing influence in the custom car world.
• The Ford Design Award in 2013 celebrated his exceptional craftsmanship and unique builds.
• Multiple features by Goodguys Rod & Custom Association highlighted him as Builder of the Year.
• His projects have consistently received SEMA recognition for outstanding design and creativity.
• His work is admired not just for style but for engineering excellence and originality, earning respect from both fans and industry experts.

Dave Kindig Net Worth Overview

Dave Kindig net worth comes primarily from running Kindig-It Design, where high-end custom car builds command premium prices. Over the years, income from merchandise, limited-production CF1 cars, and royalties from his TV shows have added to his earnings. By 2026, his careful investments and steady business growth have put him among the most recognized names in the automotive customization world.

Even though estimates vary, most sources agree that Dave’s wealth is estimated at $5–8 million. The combination of ongoing custom commissions, media projects, and a growing fan base ensures his financial stability while continuing to fund new builds and innovations.

Source of Income	Est. Contribution
Kindig-It Design Custom Builds	$3–5 million
Television and Royalties	$1–2 million
Merchandise and CF1 Cars	$500k–$1 million
Total Net Worth (2026)	$5–8 million

Dave Kindig House and Luxury Lifestyle

Dave Kindig enjoys a comfortable lifestyle that reflects his hard work and success, but he keeps things simple and practical. His home in the Salt Lake City area is private and understated, offering a quiet retreat for him and his family away from the busy shop. He values space for family time and hobbies rather than flashy displays, making sure his surroundings feel personal and relaxed.

His wealth also supports his passion for cars and the business he built. Most of his assets are tied to the shop, tools, and custom vehicles rather than extravagant purchases. While he appreciates quality, he focuses on functionality and creativity, showing that success doesn’t always mean luxury in the traditional sense, it’s about comfort, family, and doing what you love.

Future Plans and Long-Term Goals

Looking ahead, Dave Kindig plans to keep pushing the boundaries of custom car design. He wants to create more limited-production builds that combine classic styles with modern performance, giving car enthusiasts something unique to enjoy. Even as technology and trends change, he intends to keep his designs timeless, focusing on craftsmanship and innovation rather than chasing fleeting fads.

He also aims to mentor the next generation of builders, sharing the skills and hands-on knowledge that made his career successful. While Kindig-It Design will continue producing show-stopping cars, he wants the shop to remain a family-focused, collaborative space where creativity and passion drive every project. These plans show that his vision goes beyond fame, focusing on lasting impact in the custom car world.

FAQ’s

How rich is Dave Kindig?

Dave Kindig’s net worth is estimated between $5 and $8 million as of 2026, mostly from his custom car business and TV work.

Is Kindig-It still in business?

Yes, Kindig-It Design continues to operate in Salt Lake City, producing custom cars and handling high-end commissions.

How old is Dave Kindig?

Dave Kindig is 54 years old as of January 2026, celebrating his birthday on February 6.

Who is Dave Kindig’s wife?

He is married to Charity Kindig, who co-owns Kindig-It Design and helps manage the business.

Where is Kindig-It Design located?

The shop is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, where all fabrication, paint, and assembly happen in-house.

Final Thoughts

Dave’s story shows what dedication and passion can achieve. From drawing cars as a kid to building some of the most admired custom vehicles in the world, he has turned a love for cars into a successful career that inspires fans and fellow builders alike. His work proves that skill, patience, and creativity matter more than shortcuts or flashy trends.

Beyond his designs, Dave’s approach to life and work stands out. He keeps his family involved, values hands-on learning, and treats every build as a personal challenge. This combination of talent, humility, and hard work has made his name synonymous with quality in the custom car world.

Looking ahead, his influence is likely to grow even further. With new projects, limited-edition builds, and mentorship for the next generation of builders, the legacy Dave Kindig is creating will continue to shape the car community for years to come.

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