If you're a fan of car reality television, then you've probably seen Mark Towle and his Gotham garage crew on Car Masters: Rust to Riches. This show follows the team as they restore classic cars from all over the country.
Mark Towle is a world-renowned car designer who has been in the business for over 35 years. Towle is also a master fabricator and has built some of the most iconic cars in pop culture history for the biggest names in the industry, including Speed Racer mach, Batmobile, and General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard etc. But what makes Mark Towle so special? Here are 10 fast facts about this automotive guru that will give you a little more insight into his life and work. Keep reading to learn more!
10 Towle Had A Humble Beginning
Source via facebook.com
When you see fast cars, you might think of wealth and luxury. But for Mark Towle, it wasn't always that way. In fact, he was raised in a working-class family and didn't have his first car until he was 18 years old. He worked hard to pull funds from his menial props job.
His mother raised him and his three siblings by herself. This implied that the family's financial situation was not always stable. The family was forced to forgo many of the amenities that other families could afford. That spurred Mark to become resourceful and taught him the value of hard work.
9 He Is 100% California
Mark Towle is the epitome of California car culture. He was born and raised in California, and he has always loved cars. When he was just 16 years old, he started working at a local body shop. He eventually went on to open his own shop, Gotham garage, in 1998.
Ever noticed how most of the cars on Car Masters are California classics from the 60s and 70s? That's because those are Mark's favorite cars.
He grew up admiring them and learning how to work on them. He's even been known to take on projects that other shops won't touch, like restoring cars that's been sitting in a field for years (we've always seen it on his TV shows).
8 A True Fan Of Pop Culture
Mark Towle is not only a car enthusiast, but he's also a true fan of pop culture and a self-proclaimed "comic book nerd". This is even seen in his Batmobile replica that he built for Gotham garage.
He's a big fan of movies, especially those from the 80s. And if you ever visit Gotham garage, you'll see that it's filled with movie memorabilia from Mark's personal collection. He also created the iconic copy of the "Speed Racer Mach 5" which is currently on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
7 Loves Privacy
Mark Towle is a private person when it comes to his personal life. He's never been one to seek out the limelight, and he prefers to keep his personal life separate from his work. However, we do know that he's in a relationship.
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He also has no personal social media account, save for the Gotham Garage Instagram account. This allows him to share his work with the world without revealing too much about his personal life.
6 Has A Particular Fondness For Anything Called "Ford"
Mark Towle's love for cars started with a Ford. His first car was a Ford Pinto, and he's been hooked on the brand ever since. He's owned many Ford vehicles over the years, and his current favorite is the Shelby GT350R.
Interestingly enough, most of the cars that he restores are also Ford vehicles. He's restored Mustangs, Shelby GTs, and even a Ford Falcon. It's clear that he has a soft spot for the brand, and we can't blame him!
5 He Is An Internationally Recognized Figure
Mark Towle's work has been featured in magazines and television shows all over the world. He was even featured in an episode of Jay Leno's Garage, where he showed off his skills as a car restoration expert.
He has won several awards for his work, including the "Best in Show" award at SEMA, "Best Hot Rod" and "Best Engineered Vehicle" etc.
4 Has Beautiful Tattoos
Source Via Twitter
Looking at his arms, it is very clear that Mark loves tattoos. He has several designs, including a gothic cross, and a spider web. Although it's not known if he's a fan of Spider-Man or the gothic look, it's clear that he's a fan of the art form. One thing is for sure, his tattoos are definitely unique and add to his overall look.
Mark has said in interviews that he loves the way tattoos make him feel and that they make him feel more connected to his work. He even has a tattoo of a car on his arm! Mark's tattoos reflect his personality perfectly. He is a tough guy with a soft spot for cars and music. He is also a leader and an entrepreneur. All of these things are evident in his ink.
3 Mark Is A Philanthropist
Mark Towle is clearly a man of many talents. He's not only a successful reality television star, but he's also a philanthropist and donates his time to many charities. He is also a board member of Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times.
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💥 GALA NIGHT 💥
Mark Towle - as seen on: Gotham Garage
Raising Money For The Desert Cancer Society!
Big Rock Pub
Info: https://t.co/sv2zHSJsqQ#CharityAuction #Indio #Coachella #PalmSprings #ClassicCarAuction #ClassicCars #CarsStarsROCKnROLL pic.twitter.com/tUEWAUcrFy
— egauctions (@egauctions) November 2, 2018
This charity provides support and resources for families with children who have cancer. In 2018, Mark was with Todd of 'EG Auctions' to help raise funds for desert cancer care through the charity auction.
2 Had An Ugly Lawsuit With Warner Bros
In 2013, Mark Towle was sued by Warner Bros for copyright infringement. The lawsuit claimed that he had created unauthorized replicas of the Batmobile and the 1966 Batcycle.
Unfortunately, Warner Bros won the lawsuit and Mark was ordered to pay $20,000 in damages. He was also banned from creating any more replicas of Warner Bros properties. This incident shaped how Mark does business today. He is now very careful to make sure that all of his designs are original and not based on any copyrighted material.
1 Has A Successful Series/Car Reality Show With Netflix
Mark Towle is no stranger to the world of entertainment. He's been involved in several projects, both behind and in front of the camera. One of his most successful ventures is his car reality show with Netflix.
The franchise, which is called Car Masters: Rust to Riches, follows Mark and his crew as they restore classic cars. The show is a hit with audiences, and it has been praised for its authenticity. The show will follow Mark and his crew as they restore classic cars. It is scheduled to kick off next year 2023 making it the 5th season available on Netflix.