61-year-old Mark Towle is based in California where he’s invested in a well-established mechanics shop popularly known as Gotham Garage. He's also the man responsible for bringing together the skilled and entertaining cast and crew of Netflix's Car Masters: Rust To Riches.

Updated January 2023: Whether you're a fan of Car Masters: Rust To Riches or just want to know more about Mark Towle, you'll be glad to know that we've kept this article fresh to provide all the facts and interesting information about the founder of "Gotham Garage."

But, aside from obviously playing a major role in the show, there's much more to know about Towle himself. So, this article examines not the restored cars or rebuilds he and his crew are known for but all the lesser-known facts behind the man responsible for the Gotham Garage – Mark Towle.

13 Towle And His Siblings Were All Raised By A Single Mother

Little to nothing is known about Towle's father, but we know he has three other siblings all of whom were raised solely by their mom. Typically, being fostered by a single parent with meager resources, growing up must have been tough for little Towle. But this struggle is probably what thought him to appreciate hard work and the value of money, making him what he is today.

12 He Was A Creator From An Early Age

Towle's resourcefulness and creativity were evident from an early age when he, together with his best friend, would dumpster-dive to find old and broken toys and repair or combine them to make brand-new toys that he would sell to other children.

11 He Worked On TV And Films As A Prop Technician

His first job was that of a prop technician for TV, where he was able to express his creativity and technical expertise by building original machines and props. After a couple of years, he knew it was time to move on and work on something "real" like cars. So, he started saving money and eventually established the famed Gotham Garage.

10 Towle Has The Know-How To Flip Rusty Scrap Into Gold

Car Masters: Rust to Riches does more than just showcase drama; it serializes the works of the Gotham Garage-based crew as they mold rusty pieces of vintage trucks and cars into admirable custom classics. With his ingenious instinct, Towle acquires these run-down classics for peanuts, eventually re-engineering them and putting them up for sale at a price not meant for people with shallow pockets.

9 Three Reasons He Won’t Shift Gotham Garage’s Location

Mark, Gotham Garage's founder, is not about to exit California now nor in the foreseeable future because that is where he was born and brought up. Secondly, he derives immense benefits from his premiere show, Car Masters: Rust to Riches, which is filmed almost exclusively inside his Gotham Garage. Furthermore, the rest of the staff resides within the vicinity, so shifting would mean destabilizing everything and everyone attached to it.

8 He Lost A Court Battle But Came Out A Millionaire

While working as a TV prop technician, Towle's job led him to making a custom fictional roadster. Unfortunately, it ended up resembling a car pop culture knows all too well – the Batmobile. This hiccup resulted in Towle being sued for copyright infringement by Warner Bros and losing the case, forcing him to halt any production of said vehicles. And though he was fined heavily, it was one of the things that lead Towle to become the automotive personality he is today.

7 He Repurposes Cars He Sees On Movies

Speed Racer Replica
via Speed Muscle Magazine

But, this didn't stopTowles in reproducing the cars he'd seen in movies later on. If anything, his love for fictional and TV vehicles only grew from there. We have this passion to thank for some of his incredible creations, like the impeccable Speed Racer Mach 5 replica that was featured on Car Masters (currently lying in Petersen Museum). This was one of his astounding projects which he was able to reproduce with military precision in comparison to the original vehicle.

RELATED: 15 Sickest Cars Built By The Gotham Garage Crew (And 1 That Sucked)

6 Ever Wondered Why Only His Right Arm Is Tattooed?

Fans with a keen eye may have noticed something a bit off about Towle's tattoos: only his right arm is tattooed. Unfortunately, Towle never opened up about this. Though there are many interpretations for a spiderweb tattoo on his elbow – one being "freedom," and it's a tattoo commonly worn by people who'd spent time in jail.

5 Did You Know Why He Doesn’t Remove His Headband?

Ever notice how Towle is rarely seen without his headband? So much so, that this accessory has become part of his image. Well, sources privy to his private life reveal that Towle may be wearing it to cover his receding hairline. Besides, the band is an effective protective gear against flying debris in the workshop. We think it looks badass.

4 Towle Doesn’t Give Instructions: He Participates

More often than not, Towle is involved in every bit of the activities taking place at his workshop. And this is evident even in the episodes of Car Masters. While he relates well with his staff at the garage, they find it overbearing to meet his expectations especially when deadlines have got to be met.

RELATED: Gotham Garage: The Real Story Behind The Corvette Stingray Boat

3 He’s Mute About His Girlfriend

A snap like this one speaks more than a thousand words. And since no one dares ask Towle about his marital status, photos like this and those found on his Instagram page tell us what we would like to see and hear with our eyes wide shut even as Towle remains mute about their relationship.

2 How Much Is He Worth?

Mark Towle’s real estate is shrouded in mystery much to the chagrin of camera-wielding hordes. Working and creating car models that were used for Hollywood movies allowed Towle to save enough capital to build his Gotham Garage. And even as his fortunes catapulted him to where he is, Towle earns big from the films and movies he features in. So far, no figures have been revealed regarding Towle's net worth, but it’s estimated to be in the six-figure digits.

1 He Knows His Birthday But Not The Zodiac Sign

At 61, Towle is not the oldest in the team though he’s the central figure that brought everything together. Towle seldom celebrates his birthday, and with 61 years under his belt, aging seems to be an option. What bothers him is not his zodiac sign, but the future he’s bound to devour-powered by his ambitions.