Derek Bieri, the face of Vice Grip Garage, has turned his passion for restoring abandoned vehicles into a profitable media and automotive career. Over the years, his efforts in content creation, car business, and brand partnerships have led many to wonder: What is Derek Bieri’s net worth? In this article, we’ll explore who he is, where his money comes from, how his brand grew, and what kind of lifestyle his success supports.
Who Is Derek Bieri?
Derek Bieri is an American automotive enthusiast turned YouTube creator, best known for his channel Vice Grip Garage. On that channel, he finds neglected cars—often left in barns or fields—and brings them back to life. His style is hands-on, budget-oriented, and candid, appealing to gearheads and casual viewers alike.
Over time, what started as a side passion project evolved into a full-time business. Bieri’s direct, no-nonsense presentation and willingness to show mistakes and failures have earned him a loyal audience. He blends mechanical know-how with storytelling, making auto restoration accessible and entertaining.
The channel’s growth, combined with merchandise, sponsorships, and car sales, paved the way for Derek’s financial success.
What Is Derek Bieri’s Net Worth?
Estimating Derek Bieri’s net worth is tricky because it depends on many revenue streams and taxes, but here’s what public sources suggest:
- Many sites estimate Derek Bieri’s net worth in the range of $1 million to $5 million.
- Some projections place it closer to $3 million, factoring in YouTube income, sponsorships, merchandise, and car business.
- According to one source covering Vice Grip Garage’s earnings, the channel’s net worth is around $2 million.
Given these estimates, a reasonable guess is that Derek Bieri’s net worth is somewhere in the low- to mid-million dollar range as of 2025.
Derek Bieri’s Income Sources
Derek doesn’t rely on one revenue stream—he has built a diversified income model. Here are the main ones:
YouTube Channel Earnings
The Vice Grip Garage YouTube channel is the cornerstone of Derek’s income. With millions of viewers and a strong following, ad revenue plays a big part. Based on public analytics:
- Hafi estimates for his Instagram & YouTube: $222,851–$278,673 monthly across platforms.
- HypeAuditor lists his YouTube channel with ~2.4 million subscribers and decent engagement, indicating steady ad income.
These figures suggest consistent earnings from ad views, especially on long-form auto content.
Business and Car Sales
Derek often restores and sells vehicles he revives. These “barn finds” turned roadworthy builds generate profit margins above component costs. He may also flip parts, source rare pieces, and engage in side automotive ventures.
His brand likely also sells merchandise (apparel, decals, accessories) and leverages his audience to promote auto products.
Brand Partnerships & Sponsorships
Brands in the automotive, parts, tools, and restoration space often partner with Derek to promote their products in his videos. These sponsored segments often pay more than ad revenue per view. Because his niche is highly relevant to advertisers, these deals contribute significantly to his income.
By combining sponsored content, merchandise, and ad income, Derek’s overall business becomes stronger and less reliant on any one source.
The Story of Vice Grip Garage
Vice Grip Garage is the platform that took Derek Bieri from mechanic enthusiast to public figure.
He began by filming himself rescuing cars from barns, fields, farms—vehicles long forgotten—and making them run again. Viewers loved the raw, authentic process: the rust, the shortcuts, the mistakes, and the triumphant moments.
Over time, Derek improved production quality, storytelling, and content consistency—all important factors in growing a successful YouTube channel. His motto of “budget builds, make it run” resonated deeply with DIY car fans.
He also built community trust by being transparent: showing costs, admitting when things go wrong, and refusing to over-glamourize the process. This sincerity helped build loyal viewers who return week after week.
Through Vice Grip Garage, Derek has established not just a channel, but a brand—one that fans follow for both entertainment and automotive knowledge.
Derek Bieri’s Career Journey
Derek’s path to automotive fame was neither instant nor guaranteed. He combined mechanical passion with entrepreneurial grit.
He started small—working on neglected cars in his spare time, filming the process, and posting video content. He experimented with angles, storytelling styles, and video formats.
As audience interest grew, he scaled up: better cameras, editing, and more ambitious projects. He began restoring more valuable cars, investing in parts, and reinvesting profits into higher-value content.
Eventually, Derek transitioned from hobbyist to full-time creator—turning car rebuilding into a sustainable career. His early reputation, consistent uploads, and niche focus helped him avoid dilution and stay authentic.
Today, he is seen as one of the leading voices in automotive restoration on YouTube.
Derek Bieri’s Car Collection and Lifestyle
Derek’s lifestyle reflects his passion. He owns and uses many of the cars he restores, driving them, showcasing them, and even entering them in events.
His collection likely includes muscle cars, vintage trucks, and cars saved from salvage. Because much of his work is in restoring “barn find” vehicles, many of his cars come with stories—rusted frames, missing parts, and surprises waiting under grime.
He lives modestly (for a public figure) in Lewisburg, Tennessee, where his workshop, filming setups, and community are based. His life is deeply rooted in the automotive environment: working around cars, sourcing parts, and engaging with fans and events.
His daily routine likely blends content planning, mechanical work, restoration tasks, video production, community interaction, and business administration.
This integrated lifestyle—where passion and profession overlap—is central to his appeal and success.
Early Career and Struggles
In the beginning, Derek faced challenges common to many creators:
- Limited budget for parts and tools
- Trial-and-error in filming style, editing, and content structure
- Skepticism from the traditional auto community
- Balancing restoration costs vs. resale value
- Building an audience from zero
He pushed through by staying consistent, authentic, and engaged. He accepted small projects, reinvested profits, and leaned into his strengths: storytelling and mechanical skill.
These struggles shaped his resilience and helped him understand what audiences love—raw, true, helpful car content.
Big Break on YouTube
Derek’s breakthrough came when his videos began to deliver a unique promise: reviving forgotten cars using limited budgets and real solutions. His “barn find → driveable rescue” formula gained traction.
As views increased, brand interest followed. His content became more polished, but he kept the raw feel. That balance is key—he didn’t abandon authenticity for production.
Once Vice Grip Garage reached a self-sustaining view count, sponsorships and product deals multiplied. From there, his growth accelerated.
Growth of His Brand
Derek expanded beyond mere videos:
- Selling merchandise
- Partnering with parts and tool companies
- Engaging in live events or car shows
- Flipping vehicles and parts
- Possibly licensing or brand collaborations
This diversification protects him against a decline in any single revenue stream. Even if YouTube algorithms shift, his brand and automotive business remain grounded.
His approach also earns him credibility in the car community, beyond mere entertainment.
Derek Bieri’s Family Life
Derek Bieri keeps his personal life private but occasionally gives glimpses:
- He is married to Jessica Bieri
- Together, they have children (reports vary on the count).
- Jessica sometimes appears in behind-the-scenes content
- He values privacy and often avoids excessive personal exposure
By maintaining boundaries, Derek ensures his public persona remains focused on cars, not gossip.
The Bottom Line
Derek Bieri’s net worth is likely in the low- to mid-millions based on public data: YouTube ad revenue, sponsorships, car sales, and merchandise all contribute. Estimates commonly place it between $1 million and $5 million, with $3 million as a frequent mid-point guess.
His success illustrates how niche passion, hard work, authenticity, and business sense can combine to build a strong financial and brand foundation.
