My Classic Car is hosted by Dennis Gage. He is the mustachioed man who takes the audience for the ride and keeps everything fun with his enthusiasm for all things automotive. There is something for everyone, from local cruises to daily drivers to the fanciest car shows in the world. This car show can be informative and entertaining. Above all, it captures Dennis' love for cars. It started as a broadcast on TNN followed by Velocity. It is still produced by MadStache that has created Texas Hardtails and Corbin’s Ride On.
My Classic Car features major car events in the US but occasionally the host goes to other countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada. Many episodes focus on car collectors and celebrities. Every episode has a segment sponsored by Autogeek Garage, a source for auto accessories. We just learned these crazy facts about My Classic Car host Dennis Gage.
15 The TV Show Covers 13 Locations
According to Dennis Gage, My Classic Car airs 26 episodes per year and includes 13 broadcast locations. He tries to shoot 2 episodes in each location. One episode focuses on a car show and another focuses on a particular collector or a car. He says he gets hundreds of suggestions of places to visit.
14 He Grew Up On A Farm
Dennis Gage grew up on a farm. There he played a guitar in different folk, rock and school bands. When he graduated from high school, he went to North Central College and majored in chemistry and physics. He even received an American Chemical Society award. This is when he bought his first muscle car.
13 Dennis Gage Goes Through All Business Offers
Dennis Gage says "We look at everything that comes in. After 19 years on-the-air, I have shot in all 50 states, eight Canadian provinces and numerous European countries. I and my team try to maintain a geographic balance in developing each season's production schedule. This hobby is practiced everywhere and is for everybody."
12 He Played In A Country Rock Band
When he got his degree, Dennis Gage took up a guitar and started playing in a country rock band in Chicago. After two years, he decided to retire from his hobby. He also worked on many PGs food products including Pringles. He even bears a resemblance to the mustachioed Pringles character.
11 He Knows Jay Leno
Quite possibly the most famous car collector Dennis Gage has ever profiled has been former "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno. He is the main subject of the My Classic Car DVD. Dennis Gage has a photo with Leno at the top of the Facebook page. The DVD is loved by automotive aficionados worldwide.
10 He Was Director Of Product Development For Bristol Myers Squibb
In the late 70s, Dennis Gage became director of product development for Bristol Myers Squibb. He spent 5 years visiting different countries. He was also juggling life as a father to 3 children. He was looking for a modeling school for his two daughters, and an agency suggested that he gives it a try, too.
9 The First My Classic Car Pilot Aired In 1996
In 1995, Dennis Gage met the founder of the Bradley David Productions. A couple of months later he became a co-owner of the company. A My Classic Car pilot was created for TNN. It received good ratings when it aired in 1996. The show has been premiering as a weekly series ever since.
8 He Is The Ultimate Enthusiast
Dennis Gage says "People think I know so much about cars, but I’m not an authority. I’m the ultimate enthusiast. No one knows more about a car than the guy who owns it. I also made time to volunteer with SEMA." He is a vocal proponent of bringing more awareness to SEMA's mission.
7 He Owns MadStache
Dennis Gage owns a production company MadStache. This company produces his most famous show, My Classic Car, as well as many motorcycle TV programs. The most successful examples include Trippin' on Two Wheels and Corbin's Ride On. He serves as executive producer for both shows. Many programs have been on the air for many years.
6 He Has An Impressive Car Collection
Being a vehicle enthusiast, Dennis Gage has an impressive car and bike collection. In addition to a '63 Studebaker GT Hawk, '56 Lincoln Premiere, and '63 Thunderbird, he owns classic bikes, including a '69 BMW R60US and a '68 Moto Guzzi V7. He once said that he drives a Ford Taurus SHO.
5 Fire Destroyed His Home
In 2010, Dennis Gage had a rough Christmas. His home in southern Indiana caught fire and was destroyed. His wife and son were at home but managed to escape. Sitting next to his house is a garage, which is home for cars and bikes. Luckily, the garage also escaped fire without injuries.
4 He Has Won Many Awards
Dennis Gage "has been the recipient of many honors, from awards for science in school and from the American Chemical Society to the ARMO Hall of Fame. But ask him about the SEMA Hall of Fame, and you will render him speechless." He is honored to be compared to legendary people like Carroll Shelby.
3 The Creepy T Car
This is one of the craziest vehicles Gage has ever seen. The Creepy T is a car based on a model originally released in 1971. The car is 13 feet long and features a big skull for its body complete with red eyes. This vehicle is co-built by haunt enthusiasts Jim Wieme and Rucker Posey.
2 He Likes Bikes More Than Cars
Dennis Gage's interests have always been centered on bikes, not cars. When he was 12, he got his first bike, the 50cc Honda Cub. He paid 90 bucks for it, and revved the engine to pop a wheelie. He said that at one point the bike stopped shifting, and he couldn't figure out why.
1 He Credits His Success To His Background
Dennis Gage credits his success to his background. He said he couldn't figure out what he was doing and kept quitting to try something else. Gage applies his market analysis expertise to each episode, which draws positive responses. He also touches a national chord by putting emphasis on classic cars.