Bitchin' Rides

A week in the life of a shop like Kindig-It Design is a mix of beauty and chaos; a look at one week includes multiple stories of what actually happens behind the scenes of the show, along with all the projects underway that week.

KevDogg and Dave take the rig to the Triple Crown of Rodding show in Nashville; this is one of the few shows they've attended in the South, and they are chomping at the bit to check out all of the local builders, and get into some shenanigans.

Since launching the project in 2021, Dave Kindig's CF1 has been a smashing success; never one to rest on his laurels, Dave has decided it's time to move on to the next generation of the car, and this one will be adding the option of a Carson top.

The Chevelle makes it through paint and into the assembly area, where it comes back to life; new upholstery gives the car the real upgrade it needs, and just like that, Dave is the hero of the family again.

In high school, Dave's wife Charity drove the wheels off her '67 Chevelle; when the couple started their business, they sold the car with the hopes of one day getting another; the crew works to get it ready for Charity's birthday.

Dave's latest client wants him to outlaw a Porsche 356 A, which means a ton of modifications, including smoothed-out bumpers, louvered deck lid, through-the-hood fuel filler, fog lamps, hood steps and racing mirrors. But this will be a Bitchin' Outlaw and have the Kindig touch.

It's no secret that while Kev can appreciate cars of all shapes and sizes; deep down, he's a truck guy; when a truck show comes through town, KevDogg shows Dave what is what with all the great builds that have descended on Salt Lake.

The fabrication for Kevin Hart's Challenger is complete, and now Dave is taking his futuristic theme into the dash and interior; a new custom color, flawless body work and seamless assembly are in store for this client who expects perfection.

Entertainer and car collector Kevin Hart's latest project is in the shop, and every square inch of the car is getting customized, from a futuristic front and rear end redesign to subtle but huge changes to the rear window and fenders.

One of KevDogg's favorite cars has arrived in the form of a stock post Bel Air, and he will lead the charge on the build; when Kev's pride and joy takes a turn for the worse, he enlists the help of a local dealer to help him get back on the road.

Dave has a soft spot for all kids in need; so when a car show in Oregon that benefits the local children's charity called, Dave eagerly said yes; the guys take the rig to the show; there's a rumor that Kev may actually get a spot in the drag races.

Dave has been interested in dipping his feet in the electric car world, and with his CF1s providing the perfect canvas. Turning this into reality will take a new level of engineering and learning a new automotive language.

While maybe not the most popular of models, the Fox Body Mustang is actually making a comeback, and the one that rolls into the shop needs a lot of love. The build list calls for a huge engine upgrade, new custom wheels, suspension and exhaust.

The Bronco's owner is lukewarm on Dave's radical idea for the interior.

A loyal Kindig-It client has decided to jump on the latest trend. He wants Dave to build him a show-off, off-road vehicle.

Good things come in small packages, and this 1967 Fiat fits the bill.

A 1955 Bel Air comes in for a mechanical upgrade, and Dave's son needs some help with his pickup truck. While the shop is buzzing with all this activity, Dave announces they will be holding their first-annual pinewood derby competition.

The shop hits the road with their freshest builds to check out and compete against the competition. Will and Dave's cousin Brad give their "unique" views on the cars they come across, and they team up to challenge Dave in an autocross to remember.

What starts as a simple engine repair slowly turns into a patented Kindig slippery slope, as a show-ready '35 Roadster V8 will require a full rebuild. The mechanical chops of the shop get pushed to the limit on this car.

With the Camaro's design firmed up, the build continues, but hits a roadblock when it comes to getting the engine dialed in just right. Dave has second thoughts about the color combination.

Unfortunately, when buying classic cars, you can't be 100% sure of what you've bought until you start to peel away the layers. A ‘69 Camaro comes in, and when Dave and team get a closer look, they determine with the owner that it requires a full rebuild. And since the team will be starting from scratch, the client decides to go all-out on the chassis, engine and every detail.

Training the next generation in the art of bitchin' rides is something near and dear to Dave's heart, and after years of planning and dreaming, he has finally arrived at the opening of his passion project, the Kindig Academy. To kick off the school opening, the team throws a car show and has a friendly competition. Back at the shop, the team dials in a newly rebuilt engine in a '57 'Vette.

The crew at Salt Lake City's Kindig-It Design restores classic cars and creates custom vehicles.

A client enlists Dave on a mission from God to make his dreams of a father/son road trip along Route 66 come true; getting the client's mechanically unsound reproduction of the Bluesmobile ready for the road will test the crew's mettle.

Dave and Kev take the show to the Midwest, as more than 2,500 cars descend on the Summit Motorsports drag strip for a weekend of fun; Kev gets a ride in a lean, mean drag racing machine; Dave steps up his autocross game.

While the shop has been perfecting its process in building the CF1s, word about the car has gotten out, and potential buyers are lining up. The latest client has a big problem -- he can't choose the perfect color combination.

Will makes miracles happen, and Dave decides to make a wholesale change to the car's color. Challenges mount at each stage of the build, and the upholstery shop changes up their routine as the client arrives for a reveal years in the making.

A 1971 Chevy Nova with tremendous pedigree arrives at the shop to get classic Kindig-It styling cues. Most importantly, Dave wants to make this car into a hardtop. Tucked in bumpers, front valance and a new engine provides a good test for the crew.

Dave and Kev take the show as far east as they have ever gone and head to Lake George, New York, for the Adirondack Nationals. The entire town shuts down for this car show, attracting the best of the best on the East Coast.

For over eight years, the metal masters of Kindig-It Design have entertained audiences and inspired automotive fans. Now, Dave and Kevin make their return to the SEMA show after a year away, with an ambitious plan of bringing 10 new builds to Las Vegas.

In a special 100th episode, Dave and the team put the finishing touches on the first-ever Kindig CF Corvettes to complete a lifelong dream. However, the clients argue about who will get the first one, all in advance of a once-in-a-lifetime debut at SEMA.

Dave and the guys at Kindig-It proved they could execute Dave's vision of his production Corvette, but now that a few have sold, they have to get them completely finished. The buyers vying for car #1 are a true Corvette aficionado and his best friend.

Matching the two-tone paint job is the challenge of the day as the '53 Barn Door Deluxe build carries on. Custom trim, a new, more powerful engine, 22 windows and a custom interior all come together to make this surprise worth the wait.

Once again, Dave is thrilled with the latest build, while KevDogg is barely lukewarm. Dave has done double-cab VWs, Bugs, and Karmann Ghias, but now he is taking on something completely different -- and even more rare.

Dave's clients have owned a car since they got married 25 years ago and want it restored so they can enjoy it for another 25. While the shop isn't really into straight restorations, adding some custom pieces and paint makes them "say yes" to the project.

Normally when Kindig-It Design attends a car show, their cars are the ones being judged. But this time around, Dave and Kev hold the keys and will have to select the top 10 builders out of the hundreds of cars that arrive for the show.

The build continues, and the challenge is to keep what makes the car a Hebmueller intact, while taking bold steps to turn it into a hot rod. Dave keeps the traditional two-tone exterior, but modifying it to an automatic is a huge test for the shop.

Of all the different years and generations of the VW Bug, there is one that stands out among the rest -- the Hebmueller. There are maybe 200 of them left, so in addition to being hard to find, they are truly the holy grail of VWs.

Dave designs a Mustang for the ages to compete in the Optima Challenge, which involves running the car on track as well as in a traditional car show. The build includes a new front facia and hood, tucking in the bumpers and redesigning the rear end.

All the Concept Corvette's elements are built and assembled, but to call the experiment a success, Dave needs to find a buyer. Also, a rock 'n' roll icon brings his 1934 Ford coupe to the shop to complete a project 25 years in the making.

From an early age, Dave Kindig would cut up hot wheels, mixing and matching parts to create his own cars. 20-plus years later, he has decided that the time is right to design his own concept car from scratch.

The 1951 Ford pickup is painted and ready for final assembly. The team encounters problem after problem trying to get it ready for a serviceman who is returning from a year away in a war zone.

Brandon Curtis is an active duty serviceman who is due to depart for overseas duty, but before leaving he and his father have a little unfinished business. They've been thru the ringer over the years trying to get their 1951 Ford pickup built. Now they're getting it done right at Kindig-It. The cab is getting stretched, the entire front end is getting re-designed and Kindig's patented custom hourglass bed complete the build sheet. While Brandon heads out to serve his country, the shop needs to live up to its duty to turn this truck into a Bitchin' Ride.

A simple repaint of a 1964 Corvette careens into much more when Dave upsells the client on a couple of design features, and the crew finds some damage underneath the original paint. Also, the owner of an iconic Ford GTX1 tasks Dave with solving a dilemma.

After recovering from a terrible accident where his '32 Ford caught fire, a local business owner wants to see the car fixed as well. Diagnosing the fire damage and what caused it is job #1. Plus, a 1967 Mustang arrives with a nasty engine vibration.

After some intense color development, the client is on board with the shade of green Dave has come up with, and the car moves into the paint booth. The client has only seen the color on a swatch, but will he fall for it when he sees it in person?

Dave and the crew start on a 1966 Corvette, but one major challenge lies ahead for Dave the designer -- he is up against a client who is adamant that he doesn't want the

A returning client is back with another classic, a 1965 Mustang Fastback. He likes to keep a stock look, but with updated drivetrain, instrumentation and as many modern amenities as possible. Plus, the assembly team gets a crash course in engine tuning.

Dave has a challenge on his hands restoring a 1964 Cadillac to its original condition while adding modern updates. Parts are scarce and the car's current state leaves a lot to restore.

Dave loves anything VW, and he finds a deal for a rare Transporter pickup that is too good to pass up. With a few modifications, he will finish the build, but then his real dilemma begins - whether to keep it or auction it.

Dave and Kevin take the '67 Coronet, '55 Gullwing and '63 Corvette to a car show in Chicago, where they'll compete for street rod of the year. The cars need to complete a road course and be judged on the appointments of the build.

The pieces that have arrived at the shop are allegedly for a Nova, but the only thing recognizable is the body. The challenge will be to keep the build simple and design a custom color that Dave and the client can agree on.

The Pontiac Tempest build continues as bodywork wraps up and Dave has designed a killer new color. Kevin shows off his powder-coating skills, and the client has a tough decision to make on the color combo for the interior.

A simple yet classy Pontiac Tempest arrives for a ground-up build. From the outside, it looks like the team can get right to the customizing, but after the car is completely stripped, things are more complicated.

Prior to the annual classic car show in Los Angeles, the guys need to shake down a 1962 Corvette and make some design adjustments to a '55 Mercedes Gullwing. Kevin hunts for new ideas, rare finds and maybe some Hollywood stars.

A road warrior from Alaska arrives at the shop to add some improvements to an already solid build. To enhance performance, a new exhaust and tips are custom fabricated as well as a new set of wheels, tires and a custom interior.

Dave and the Kindig team add a tubbed bed and slivered Camaro bumpers to a classic Chevrolet C/K C-10.

Delayed by numerous issues and setbacks, the 1941 Chevy is finished in the metal shop and ready for paint; fresh paint, new wiring and custom interior take this problem build to the next level.

Dave and the team swap the chassis in a 1955 Nomad and upgrade its performance, which will give this car the edge it was missing.

Car show season is always a big time of year for the Bitchin Rides crew, but a show in Stockton, CA has called with an interesting request. Along with bringing some Bitchin Rides to the show, would Dave be a judge and present a special award for the show?

A new client arrives and asks Dave to envision a future where the Hummer H2 continued to be produced and to build what he thinks that car might look like 20 years into the future. Its out with the old and in with the new, as Kevin leads the charge.

A '41 Chevy that has bounced around numerous shops rolls in for a quick trunk lid fix, but things go south very quickly; as if the shop wasn't busy enough, they kick off a Road Tour and the garage turns into an ER for broken down cars.

Every inch of the Mercedes Gullwing has finally been addressed and the car comes to an epic conclusion. But questions and challenges remain, which color will be just right? Will the doors actually function?

One of Dave's all-time favorite designs is the Mercedes-Benz Gullwing, and a new client arrives with a kit version of the car. But it has many flaws, which the team need to address while trying to get the car as close as they can to original.

An old build is back for new customizations, an interior revamp and a new name. With Kevin headed out of town, Dave tries to sneak a new and personal project through the doors.

A Canadian father daughter team arrives to add a new Bitchin Ride to their impressive collection. Building the little sister to the 62 Safari Bus is something close to Dave's VW roots. Fresh off the showroom floor, a 2017 Cadillac CTSV.

The Ranchero build is an epic achievement for Dave and the whole Kindig It Design team, but will the client see it the same way? And will Dave find the perfect name for the perfect car?

Dave and the team at Kindig It Design start a new year with a one-of-a-kind build they have never attempted before, a 1964 Ranchero; the car looks to have had a lot of work done, but what's underneath the metal sets the team back.

The shop pulls out all the stops to take home the gold at the last car show of the season; the Fairlane and the Nomad receive extra attention; Dave and Kevin check out the best vehicles in Reno.

The entire Kindig family is working hard to give Charity's father the retirement gift of a lifetime: converting a '57 Corvette into a Bitchin' Ride. Getting the kids motivated to help is easier said than done. A '67 Malibu gets a Bitchin AC repair.

Dave and Kevin take the show on the road to Loveland, CO where they hope to capture a major award for the Copper Caddy and Mischief, a 1952 Pontiac. But before they leave, a 1966 Chevelle rolls into the shop for upholstery and an engine upgrade.

With approval from “THE BOSS,” the continental build continues. A custom blue color, massive V12 engine, and the green light from a living legend officially make this car a Bitchin Ride. Dave wants a new car hauler and enlists RMD garage to help.

Tad Leach is hell bent on getting his dream car built by Kindig It Design. A rare 1955 Lincoln Continental is the new challenge for the shop, and Dave is going big on this build. The upholstery shop updates the seats and headliner on a rare 1969 McLaren.

Repeat client and collaborator Ron Meis has a new project for Kindig It and its right in Dave's wheelhouse, a 1927 Shadow Rod. Dave has some new tricks up his sleeve, as a brand new 2017 Bentley Bentayga gets some bitchin styling upgrades.

Kevin and Dave gear up for the biggest car show in America--back to the 50's, where once a year over 10,000 cars descend on St. Paul, MN. The 1929 roadster, is given away to one lucky contestant as Dave runs a sweepstakes to raise money for charity.

16 years in the making, Kindig It Design is finally finishing the 67 Nova. Looks can be deceiving however, as this car looks pretty stock on the outside, but underneath the hood is a unique power station. Will it be powerful enough for the client?

The guys set their sights on Pleasanton, CA where they will be attending a major car show, and the competition is fierce. To get to the show they need to get a Chevelle road ready for its owner, that is if the whole staff doesn't get arrested.

A 69 Camaro has a new owner who wants to finish off the build, with a new front valance, rear spoiler, fresh paint. Dave's graphic skills shine as he puts a new spin on a classic. A 1965 Mustang with mechanical issues gets a Bitchin upgrade.

The Fairlane build comes to a conclusion, as the car is bodyworked, painted, assembled and upholstered. The old school engine is a favorite of the guys, but getting it fired and working properly has the whole team scratching their heads.

A 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 that hasn't seen the road since 1957, gets revived. An original FE engine, modified bumpers and some insights from Kevin make this build one to remember. Plus, a father & son challenge the team to make their engines roar.

Dave goes out on a limb buying a 1929 Roadster that he wants to fix up and flip, but Kevin fears he's bought another lemon. Kris tackles an engine that won't cooperate and hopes a two-dollar fix will solve a million dollar problem.

Otto Vega's Ford 150 crosses the finish line, and the guys scramble to get the exhaust, the color of the car and the engine just right. There's a ton of work going into this super car farm truck, but will Otto like the color Dave picked for the interior?

Kindig It Design is in full swing as a farm 1955 F-150 arrives from Miami. Dave wants to do a radical re-design including a custom hourglass shaped bed, extended cab, and sleek grill, but the client has his own opinions on the interior.

After 3 years of sitting around Dave gets to work fixing up a 1972 Bronco he purchased to build and sell. Justin thinks Dave needs to rethink his color choices, while Nick struggles to get the engine purring.

The shop takes on a new challenge in the form of building a gasser race car, that is if Dave and the client can agree on a color. Dave preps a 2012 pickup truck for his teenage son, who had a little bad luck with his first car.

A 1969 Camaro arrives at Kindig It Design, to be completed, and the owner has a very specific mission for Dave and the crew. The upholstery shop is challenged to repair a worn out convertible top, and body man Brandon brings his bitchin ride into the shop.

The 52 Pontiac rumbles to a conclusion as the team struggles to get the trim, paint and upholstery just right. Dave and Kevin pull out all the stops getting this Pontiac in cruising shape for Don. Dave adds custom graphics to a 2014 Challenger.

Don Heidt has been scouring the country for a rare 1952 Pontiac that he wants Dave Kindig to turn into a Bitchin Ride. He's finally found one, but as the guys dig into the car they find something lurking beneath the metal that threatens the whole build.

Muscle Car fans rejoice as not one but two classic '69 Camaros get the full Bitchin' Rides treatment. A white Camaro gets completely customized, while a green Camaro purchased on the web turns into a bigger project than the customer bargained for.

The newest member of the Kindig team is put to the test modifying the hood of a 2013 Mr. Norm's Challenger & Dave wants to make sure his newest employee is up to it. A '48 Studebaker gets a new rear suspension that will tear the flames right off the truck.

A client with a massively powerful '64 Malibu rolls into Kindig-It-Design to catch the rest of the outdated car up to all the power under the hood. The crew gets a 1973 'Cuda ready to swim and Dave gets behind the wheel of a '72 Datsun.

A '54 Ford straight off the farm gets turned into a lean, mean hot rodding milk machine, while a new Challenger gets some retro Mopar updates. Will takes a vintage Chopper for a burn and Kevin puts his stamp on the shop.

A '94 Impala arrives for a modern upgrade, but the shop will have to up their game to bring this police cruiser up to date. A purple '69 Mustang challenges the mechanical know-how of the shop and metal fabricator Kris shows off an original Hot Rod.

The Kindig crew must deal with the mess of a '32 Roadster when it comes in with problem after problem from another shop, while also trying to rescue a '40 Coupe. Wild Bill's 32 Roadster rides again and Dave's dune buggy goes missing.

The Invicta build finally comes to a show-ready end after many challenges, including the most ambitious interior job the shop has ever attempted. Dave gets down and dirty on a 1970 Mustang that comes in to get its driveline unbundled.

Dave has his hands full trying to locate & build a 1959 Buick Invicta.This build pushes the shop to the max & back, and even to a Foundry straight out of medieval times. Double trouble comes in the form of twin 2014 Audis looking for some styling cues.