I have spent a good amount of time studying entrepreneurs who built real wealth through craftsmanship and specialized skills. Dave Kindig is a prime example of someone who turned a childhood passion into a global brand. He is not a corporate executive or a venture capitalist; he is a designer and builder from Utah who turned sheet metal into masterpieces. As of 2026, Dave Kindig net worth is estimated between $3 million and $5 million, though the total value of his brand and intellectual property pushes his influence much higher. Before you look at the price tag of a “Kindig-it” build, let me break down the structure of his success.
Dave Kindig Age
Born on February 6, 1971, Dave Kindig is 55 years old as of May 2026. Despite over 25 years in the industry, he remains the lead designer and active president of Kindig-it Design, often appearing at global events like the Toronto Motorama to share his vision with the next generation of builders.
Dave Kindig Wife
Dave’s wife, Charity Kindig, is the Vice President and co-founder of Kindig-it Design. Often described as the “backbone” of the company, she manages the business operations, logistics, and organizational structure that allows Dave to focus on the creative side. The couple has been in a partnership for nearly 30 years, having started the shop together as a “leap of faith” in 1999.
Dave Kindig Wife Age
Charity Kindig is roughly the same age as Dave, born in the early 1970s. While she maintains a more private profile regarding her specific birth date, she has been an equal partner in the business since its inception in their late twenties, and she continues to lead the company’s apparel and branding divisions alongside Dave in 2026.
Dave Kindig Children
The Kindig legacy is firmly a family affair. Dave and Charity have two children, Baylee and Drew, both of whom are involved in the family business. Their daughter, Baylee Kindig, has taken a significant leadership role overseeing the Kindig-it Apparel line and merchandising, while their son Drew has also spent time working within the shop’s ecosystem, ensuring that the “Kindig-it” name stays within the family for the next generation.
Dave Kindig Car Collection
Dave’s personal car collection is a rotating gallery of automotive history and custom innovation. While he frequently sells builds to make room for new projects, his collection is known to include his personal 1953 CF1 Roadster (No. 1), a 1962 Volkswagen Bus (a nod to his early days), and a heavily customized 1960 Cadillac known as “Copper Caddy.” His collection serves as both a personal joy and a technical showcase for the shop’s capabilities.
Financial Journey of Dave Kindig
The financial journey of Dave Kindig is a narrative of steady growth, fueled by the global success of his brand and his ability to scale a service-based business into a multifaceted enterprise.
Dave Kindig Net Worth 2021
In 2021, Dave Kindig net worth was estimated to be approximately $2.5 million. This year marked a significant recovery point for the automotive industry following global disruptions. His hit show, Bitchin’ Rides, entered its eighth season, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the MotorTrend network and ensuring a steady flow of high-end clientele to his Salt Lake City shop.
Dave Kindig Net Worth 2022
By 2022, his net worth climbed to an estimated $2.8 million. The increase was driven by the expansion of his “Kindig-it” parts line, specifically his patented door handles and custom hardware. Additionally, the ninth season of his television show premiered with an increased episode count, expanding his media footprint and boosting his talent earnings.
Dave Kindig Net Worth 2023
In 2023, Kindig’s wealth reached an estimated $3 million. This year was pivotal due to the rising public interest in the CF1 Roadster project. By moving toward a semi-production model with carbon-fiber bodies, Kindig began to diversify his income away from purely labor-intensive custom builds toward high-margin vehicle sales.If you want to learn more about successful icons, you also must visit Stable Ronaldo net worth.
Dave Kindig Net Worth 2024
Estimates for 2024 placed his net worth at approximately $3.5 million. The continued success of the CF1 project, which earned prestigious industry accolades like the “Goodguys Most Bitchin’ Award,significantly enhanced his brand equity. His shop’s multi-year waiting list remained full, ensuring consistent high-revenue operations regardless of broader economic fluctuations.
Dave Kindig Net Worth 2025
In 2025, Dave Kindig’s net worth grew to an estimated $4 million. This growth was bolstered by the premiere of the 11th season of Bitchin’ Rides and the expansion of his global licensing agreements. His ability to maintain a “creative family” business while managing international media operations has allowed him to keep overhead control while maximizing brand reach.
Dave Kindig Net Worth 2026
As of May 2026, Dave Kindig’s net worth is estimated between $4.5 million and $5 million. His financial standing today is the result of over 25 years of technical discipline and savvy brand management. With the CF1 Roadster establishing itself as a modern classic and his media presence stronger than ever, Kindig has successfully transitioned from a local builder to a global automotive icon.
Primary Income Sources
Understanding how a builder makes money tells you more about their business model than any flashy TV show ever will. When I look at someone like Dave Kindig before featuring them as a study on Bizlixo, I dig deep into the gears of their financial engine.
Kindig-it Design (Custom Builds & Restoration)
This is the heart of the operation. Founded in 1999, the shop specializes in ground-up, high-end custom vehicle transformations. A single Kindig build often commands between $250,000 and $500,000, with some projects even crossing the $700,000 mark at elite auctions. With a 27,000-square-foot facility and a multi-year waiting list of wealthy enthusiasts, this specialized labor provides the primary revenue for the business.
Television & Media Royalties
Dave has been the star of Bitchin’ Rides (also known as Kindig Customs) on MotorTrend/Discovery since 2014. As the face of one of the longest-running automotive shows on TV, he earns significant talent fees per episode. More importantly, the show acts as a global marketing machine that keeps his brand’s value high without him needing to spend a dime on traditional advertising.
Proprietary Products & Patent Royalties
Unlike many custom builders who only sell labor, Dave has created scalable products. He holds patents for items like the Kindig-it Smooth Door Handles, which are sold as kits to other car builders and DIY enthusiasts globally. This provides a steady stream of passive product-based income that doesn’t require him to be physically working on a car.
The CF1 Roadster Program
In a shift toward high-margin manufacturing, Dave launched the Kindig CF1. By creating a “production” carbon-fiber roadster, he can sell multiple units of a perfected design rather than starting from scratch with every client. These vehicles are priced in the $600,000+ range, allowing him to scale his revenue faster than traditional one-off custom work.
Apparel & Merchandising
Under the direction of his family, Kindig-it Apparel has grown into a robust lifestyle brand. From hats and t-shirts to specialized gear, this division monetizes his global fanbase, turning viewers of his show into walking billboards and repeat customers for the brand.
Expenditures and Business Ventures
Building a custom automotive empire like Kindig-it Design requires more than just artistic vision; it requires a massive, ongoing reinvestment of capital into technology and infrastructure. To understand why Dave Kindig’s net worth is a “working” fortune rather than just cash in a vault, we have to look at where the money flows back into the business.
Advanced Manufacturing & The CF1 Investment
The biggest strategic shift in Kindig’s career has been the move from a custom shop to a licensed vehicle manufacturer. This transition required immense up-front capital for:
- Carbon Fiber Tooling: Developing the molds and vacuum-sealing tech for the CF1 Roadster body is a six-figure investment alone.
- R&D for New Models: Following the success of the Roadster, Dave invested heavily in the development of the CF1 Cabriolet and the hand-formed aluminum TwelveAir Fastback, which debuted at SEMA to high acclaim.
- Supply Chain Management: As a manufacturer, Kindig now manages high-volume accounts with premium partners like Roadster Shop (chassis) and Lingenfelter (engines), requiring significant liquidity to maintain production flow.
Facility & Tech Infrastructure
Operating a 27,000-square-foot facility in Salt Lake City is a massive monthly expenditure.
- State-of-the-Art Equipment: Dave consistently upgrades his shop with the latest CNC machinery, 3D scanning technology, and high-end paint booths (using his signature AkzoNobel lines) to ensure the “Kindig-it” finish remains the industry standard.
- Elite Talent Payroll: You don’t build Ridler Award-winning cars with average labor. Dave maintains a large, highly specialized workforce of fabricators, painters, and interior specialists, representing one of his largest and most vital business expenditures.
The “Big Rig” & Global Marketing
Marketing for Kindig isn’t just digital; it’s physical. The company operates a custom-branded Kindig-it Big Rig, a massive mobile showroom and merchandise hub that travels to major events like SEMA, the Detroit Autorama, and the Toronto Motorama. The fuel, staffing, and logistics for this tour are substantial, but they are the primary driver of apparel and parts sales.
Real Estate & Personal Assets
Like many savvy entrepreneurs, Dave has turned his business success into tangible assets.
- Commercial Property: Owning the footprint of his massive Salt Lake City headquarters provides long-term equity.
- Rolling Art Collection: Dave’s personal car collection, which includes his 1953 CF1 Roadster (No. 1) and various award-winning Cadillacs and Corvettes, acts as a diversified portfolio. Unlike standard consumer cars, Kindig-built vehicles are typically appreciated as high-value collectibles.
Dave Kindig: Craftsmanship and Discipline Over Clutter
I do not chase lifestyle content, but I do pay attention to what it reveals about a person’s financial priorities.Dave spends the vast majority of his time in Salt Lake City, Utah, centered around his 27,000-square-foot shop. He maintains a disciplined “first-in, last-out” work ethic, often starting his day by sketching designs long before the shop floor opens—a habit that stems from a childhood spent drawing everything from insects to hot rods.
Unlike many who find fame, Dave has kept his family as the operational core of his business, working daily with his wife, Charity, and their children, Baylee and Drew. It is a model of legacy-building through family partnership that I personally respect.
His asset base includes:
- Commercial Real Estate: Ownership of the Kindig-it Design headquarters and manufacturing facility in Utah.
- Residential Property: A custom-designed home in Draper, Utah, featuring a high-end, professionally organized workshop garage tailored with custom storage solutions.
- Rolling Art Portfolio: A rotating collection of high-value custom vehicles, including the CF1 Roadster No. 1, a 1960 Cadillac (“Copper Caddy”), and his personal favorite, a 1955 Mercedes Gullwing.
- Intellectual Property: Multiple design patents (such as his smooth door handles) and the proprietary tooling used for his CF1 production line.
- Industrial Logistics: A fleet of custom transport rigs, including the mobile “Big Rig” showroom, and state-of-the-art fabrication machinery.
Before you dismiss or accept any number, let me break it down properly for you just like theJohnny Cash Journey.
Final Thoughts
Dave Kindig’s net worth story is straightforward when you look at the craftsmanship behind the brand. He is a man who turned a self-taught passion for design into a world-class automotive empire, scaling from a small shop in 1999 to an international media and manufacturing powerhouse over 25 years. The exact number—whether $3M, $5M, or higher—matters less than the business model behind it.
