Joe Zolper is thought to have a net worth of about $1 million as of 2025. He is a famous TV figure and car builder. As a child in Joliet, Illinois, he learned early on how to work on anything with an engine and became known as a hands-on problem-solver. Zolper is best known for being the main mechanic and builder on the television show “Garage Squad.” He lives with his wife and daughter in Joliet, where he owns Prison City Choppers.
He makes most of his money from custom cars and his TV part, with extra money coming in from guest spots and his successful shop business. People know him, but he doesn’t talk about his family so he can focus on making cars and helping people who like cars. He still interacts with people through car shows and TV shows instead of trying to get attention in areas other than his chosen profession.
Social Profiles
Quick Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Joe Zolper |
| Occupation | Mechanic, TV Personality, Shop Owner |
| Known For | Lead Builder/Mechanic on “Garage Squad” |
| Business | Owner, Prison City Choppers (Joliet, Illinois) |
| Birthplace | Illinois, USA |
| Family | Married, one daughter |
| Background | Comes from a family of mechanics; started working young; drag racer |
| Specialty | Custom cars, fabrication, welding, engine building |
| Awards | “People’s Interest” and “Best in Show” from “World of Wheels” and “Super Cycles” |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1 million (2025) |
| Active Years | Launched own shop at 23; industry active since late teens |
| Social Profiles | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X) |
Joe Zolper Net Worth in 2025
- Estimated Net Worth: As of 2025, several sites say that Joe Zolper’s net worth is around $1 million. This wealth comes from a few main sources of income.
- Television: As the lead builder on Garage Squad, he gets most of his attention and makes most of his money. He also does other TV work and public events.
- Automotive Shop: Zolper owns and runs the business Prison City Choppers in Joliet, Illinois. It has been open since 2001 and is still a big part of his income.
- Merchandise: He sells branded items like Joe Zolper t-shirts, which are popular with fans and help him make extra money.
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Income and Business Ventures
The reality TV show “Garage Squad” and his custom car business, Prison City Choppers, bring in most of Joe Zolper’s money. He makes most of his money from these businesses, which have helped him build a net worth of about $1 million as of 2025. Joe also makes money from guest visits and endorsements that have to do with his knowledge of cars. Even though he doesn’t talk about all of his income lines, his businesses focus on customizing, fabricating, and restoring cars. This has made him well-known in both the car and TV worlds.
Additionally, there is a different Joseph Zolper who works with veterans and networking; this is not the same person as the car TV personality.
Comparison with Other Celebrates
| Celebrity | Estimated Net Worth (2025) | Known For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Zolper | $1 million | Garage Squad TV show, custom car building | Known for hands-on mechanics and TV appearances |
| Paul Teutul Jr. | $10 million+ | American Chopper, bike building | Motorcycle customizer and reality TV star |
| Chip Foose | $30 million+ | Overhaulin’, car designer | Renowned automotive designer and TV host |
| Jesse James | $3-5 million | West Coast Choppers, custom bikes | Custom motorcycle builder and TV personality |
Who is Joe Zolper?
Joe Zolper was born on July 4, 1977, and grew up on his grandfather’s farm in Joliet, Illinois. He learned a lot about mechanics from a very young age. Joe Zolper helped his family and messed around with anything he could find to learn how to work on cars. He became a mechanic because of an early interest in cars. When he was 23, he opened Prison City Chopper & Customs (now Prison City Choppers), a top shop in the Midwest that has won many awards. Zolper’s fame spread quickly, and as the charming and skilled lead mechanic and builder on Garage Squad, he became famous all over the country.
Joe Zolper’s Career Highlights
The star of Garage Squad and a key builder.
- He owns Prison City Choppers and is its chief mechanic. He has won several “People’s Interest” and “Best in Show” awards at shows like World of Wheels and Super Cycles.
- Known for building unique cars, especially high-performance Mopars like his custom ’69 Dodge Daytona and ’68 GTX, which both have unique changes that make them ready for drag racing.
- Known for being creative, good at making things, and having a strong work ethic that they’ve developed since they were a kid.
Joe Zolper Car Collection
In Joe Zolper’s personal collection are a number of well-known, custom-built machines:
- The 1969 Dodge Daytona is a blown Hemi race car with 2,500 horsepower that was built from the shell of a 1968 Charger. Drag racers and car collectors love this car.
- 1968 GTX: Another muscle car that was built from scratch and powered by alcohol.
- Turbocharged big block builds: Some of his builds have been shown on Garage Squad or were based on builds that were shown there.
Joe Zolper either builds many of these cars from scratch using original parts or makes them from scratch to order. They show a wide range of construction and tuning skills.
Joe Zolper Wife & Family Life
Joe Zolper is married and lives in Joliet, Illinois, with his wife and daughter. An important part of his family’s life is drag racing. His wife Jenny and daughter Ruby both race. Zolper says that his family has been there for him and inspired him. They have taught him to work hard and love racing, which runs in the family.
The Garage Squad Connection
Garage Squad is a popular reality show about cars that helps owners fix up old cars. Zolper is the show’s main builder and mechanical expert. He works with co-hosts and experts like
- Heather Storm: Heather Storm was a former co-host who was known for enjoying being on camera and knowing a lot about cars.
- Bruno Massel: Bruno Massel is a co-host and professional drag racer who is known for his work on TV and in racing.
- Cy Kellogg: A member of the team was recognized for his technical work.
Zolper’s leadership and technical vision are key to the success of the show because they help regular car fans make their dream cars come true.
Influence & Legacy in the Automotive World
Joe Zolper inspires both professionals and amateurs because he restores cars, teaches others, and participates actively in his community. He is more than just a TV star because he is ready to teach young mechanics, speak at schools, and greet fans. Joe Zolper is an influencer and role model in the world of auto restoration. He is a tough and creative fabricator and a good force in the world of automotive entertainment.
FAQs about Joe Zolper
How much money does Joe Zolper have?
His net worth is thought to be around $1 million as of 2025.
What kinds of cars does Joe Zolper own?
In his personal collection, he has one-of-a-kind builds like the ’69 Daytona, ’68 GTX, and a number of turbocharged big block cars.
Who does Joe Zolper marry?
Zolper is married; his wife’s name is Jenny, and the family also races in drag races.
Is Garage Squad still with Joe Zolper?
Yes, he is still the lead builder and a part of the core team in 2025.
From where can I get a real Joe Zolper T-shirt?
You can find links to his formal website on @joezolper’s social media pages and at some car shows.
How much money does Joe Zolper have compared to Cy Kellogg and Bruno Massel?
Massel is usually wealthier (about $6 million), while Kellogg is less so. Zolper is in the middle, thanks mostly to the fact that he makes money from both his business and TV shows.
Conclusion
Most people know Joe Zolper as the lead builder on the TV show “Garage Squad.” He is a very skilled mechanic and custom car maker. Joe was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois. He comes from a family of mechanics and has loved working on cars since he was a child. At age 23, he opened Prison City Choppers, his own custom car shop. It has grown to become one of the biggest in the Midwest and has won many awards for its work. Aside from being creative, Joe is known for being hands-on and being able to build and fix cars and bikes from scratch.
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