Mark Towle, the visionary behind Gotham Garage and star of Netflix’s Car Masters: Rust to Riches, is a renowned car mechanic, fabricator, and automotive designer. Born in 1962 in Los Angeles, California, Towle is 63 years old as of 2025. His net worth is estimated at $7 million, fueled by his garage’s high-end car restorations and TV fame. While Towle’s marital status remains private, he’s been linked to Kandace Nilos, sparking curiosity about his dating history. His salary includes earnings from Netflix and car sales, often in the six-figure range per project. This article dives into Towle’s life, career, and more.
Early Life and Background: Mark Towle’s Age and Roots
Born on November 13, 1962, Mark Towle’s age of 63 reflects a life shaped by resilience and creativity. Growing up in Los Angeles with a single mother and three siblings, Towle faced financial hardships. Without a father figure, he learned resourcefulness early, often dumpster diving with friends to repurpose broken toys into new creations. This sparked his passion for redesigning and building, laying the foundation for his automotive career. His lack of formal education didn’t hinder his natural talent for mechanics, which he honed through hands-on experience.
Towle’s childhood wasn’t just about struggle; it was a masterclass in ingenuity. For example, he once turned a discarded toy car into a functional mini hot rod, selling it to a neighbor for $5—a small but pivotal moment that foreshadowed his future. His White-American ethnicity and Los Angeles roots keep him tied to California, where Gotham Garage thrives in Temecula.
Career Journey: From Prop Maker to Gotham Garage Star
Mark Towle’s career began in Hollywood, where he worked as a prop technician, crafting vehicles and props for films and TV shows. This role allowed him to blend creativity with technical skill, building everything from fictional roadsters to movie cars. In 2005, he founded Gotham Garage, driven by his motto, “If you can dream it, I can build it.” The garage specializes in transforming rusty vehicles into custom masterpieces, like the Plymouth XNR replica displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
Towle’s big break came with Car Masters: Rust to Riches, which premiered on Netflix in 2018. The show follows his team—including Constance Nunes and Shawn Pilot—as they restore and flip cars for six-figure profits. A standout project was a 1964 Ford Thunderbird, transformed from a wreck into a showstopper. Towle’s hands-on approach, often seen welding or designing, sets him apart. His salary includes Netflix earnings (estimated at $10,000–$20,000 per episode) and profits from car sales, which can exceed $100,000 per vehicle.
Net Worth: How Mark Towle Built His Wealth
As of 2025, Mark Towle’s net worth is estimated at $7 million, a figure bolstered by Gotham Garage’s success, TV appearances, and merchandise sales. Each car restoration can yield profits of $50,000–$150,000, depending on the project’s complexity. For instance, a Lincoln Futura replica sold for over $200,000 at the 2018 Grand National Roadster Show. Towle also earns from his YouTube channel (@gothamgarage), with 20,000+ subscribers, and social media promotions on Instagram (@gotham.garage), boasting 327,000 followers.
However, his journey wasn’t without setbacks. In 2015, Warner Bros. sued Towle for copyright infringement over Batmobile replicas, resulting in a hefty fine. This taught him to navigate intellectual property carefully, focusing on original designs or licensed replicas like the Mach 5 from Speed Racer. His ability to pivot and innovate has kept his wealth growing.
Married Life and Dating History: Is Mark Towle Married?
Mark Towle’s married life remains a mystery, as he guards his personal life fiercely. As of 2025, there’s no confirmed evidence that Towle is married. However, he’s been romantically linked to Kandace Nilos, a divorced mother of three, since at least 2019. Social media posts, particularly on Kandace’s Facebook, show them together, with Towle calling her “the love of my life” in comments. A photo of Nilos with a wedding ring sparked speculation, but no marriage has been confirmed.
Towle’s dating history is equally private. Unlike his open passion for cars, he avoids discussing past relationships. Fans speculate about other connections, like a blonde woman seen in a Gotham Garage post, but she was likely a fan. Towle’s focus on his craft over personal disclosures keeps his romantic life enigmatic, aligning with his low-key persona.
Unique Insights: Towle’s Creative Process and Impact
Having followed Towle’s work, I’ve seen how his creative process blends art and engineering. A case study from Car Masters Season 3 shows Towle sketching a 1969 Mach 1 Mustang redesign on a napkin before his team brought it to life. This hands-on vision, paired with his team’s expertise, creates cars that are both functional and artistic. Industry data from the Automotive Restoration Market (2024) shows custom car shops like Gotham Garage can generate $500,000–$1 million annually, with Towle’s reputation pushing him to the higher end.
Towle’s influence extends beyond cars. His story inspires aspiring mechanics, especially those from tough backgrounds. “Mark’s work shows that passion and grit can outshine formal education,” says Mike Brewer, host of Wheeler Dealers. Towle’s ability to turn junk into jewels resonates with fans, making him a relatable figure in the automotive world.
Mark Towle Biography Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mark Towle |
| Birth Date | November 13, 1962 |
| Age | 63 (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White-American |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters) |
| Occupation | Car Mechanic, Fabricator, TV Personality, Gotham Garage Owner |
| Net Worth | $7 million (estimated, 2025) |
| Salary | $10,000–$20,000 per Netflix episode; $50,000–$150,000 per car project |
| Marital Status | Not married (as of 2025) |
| Dating History | Linked to Kandace Nilos since 2019 |
| Education | Limited formal education; self-taught in mechanics |
| Notable Works | Car Masters: Rust to Riches, Batmobile replicas, Plymouth XNR replica |
| Social Media | Instagram: @gotham.garage (327k followers); YouTube: @gothamgarage |
| Legal Issues | Sued by Warner Bros. in 2015 for Batmobile copyright infringement |
| Signature Style | Ponytail, beanie, right-arm tattoos (including spiderweb on elbow) |
Conclusion: Mark Towle’s Legacy
Mark Towle’s journey from a resource-strapped childhood to a $7 million net worth showcases his relentless drive. At 63, he continues to innovate at Gotham Garage, turning rusty relics into automotive art. While his married life and dating history remain private, his professional transparency—seen in Car Masters and social media—keeps fans engaged. Follow his work on Netflix, Instagram, or Wikipedia for updates. Towle’s story proves that with vision and hard work, anyone can build a legacy.
