If you’ve spent any time watching Dave Kindig sketch out a design with those signature markers, you know that Kindig-it Design isn’t your average greasy garage. It’s more like an art gallery where the canvases happen to have 1,000 horsepower. But Bitchin Rides Season 11 felt different. There was this weird energy in the air, a mix of "we’ve made it" and "is this the end?"
Honestly, it turns out that gut feeling many fans had was right on the money.
The Season 11 Keyword: Bittersweet
When the first episode, "The Outlaw," dropped on March 12, 2025, it felt like business as usual. We saw the team finally wrap up that 1956 Porsche 356A—a car that had been sitting in the wings for what felt like an eternity. Dave and KevDogg were doing their usual banter, and the metalwork was, as always, flawless. But look closer at the schedule. Season 11 wasn't just another run of episodes; it was the victory lap.
The season took us everywhere. We saw them hit the SEMA floor, head down to Adelaide, Australia, and even take a nostalgic trip to the Syracuse Nationals. But the real story wasn't just the travel. It was the shift in the shop's focus.
Why the CF1 Changed Everything
For years, Kindig-it was a restoration and custom shop. You brought them a car, Dave drew it, and the guys built it. But with the Kindig CF1, Dave transitioned from a builder to a manufacturer.
In Season 11, specifically in episodes like "British Racing CF1" and "Two-Fer," we saw the team juggling traditional one-off builds with these carbon-fiber masterpieces. Building a car from scratch is a different beast than chopping a '53 Chevy. It requires a level of consistency that a reality TV schedule doesn't always love.
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The CF1 represents Dave’s legacy. It’s his own car, not just a modification of someone else’s. By the time we got to the 2024 SEMA show (featured later in the season), they were debuting an aluminum-bodied CF1 with a massive V12. That's not "just a car show" stuff. That's "changing the industry" stuff.
The Episode That Broke the Internet (Sorta)
One of the most talked-about moments of the season wasn't actually a car reveal. It was the 14th episode, titled "Stay Bitchin’."
If you haven't seen it, grab some tissues. Dave, Kevin Schiele, and Will Lockwood basically sat down and went through a decade of footage. It wasn't just a clip show, though. It felt like a goodbye. Dave gave this really heartfelt message to the fans, thanking them for being part of the ride and telling everyone to "stay inspired."
When the screen went black after that June 11, 2025, broadcast, the rumors started flying. Was the show canceled? Did Dave quit?
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The Reality of the "Cancellation"
Here’s the deal: "Canceled" is a harsh word. Most industry insiders and reports from late 2025 suggest it was a mix of corporate restructuring at MotorTrend and Dave wanting to protect the brand.
Maintaining the quality seen in Bitchin Rides Season 11 is expensive. Like, "half a million dollars per car" expensive. When you add the pressure of a film crew and tight TV deadlines, things can get messy. There have been whispers of lawsuits and behind-the-scenes friction, which is pretty common when you're dealing with high-end clients and even higher stakes.
Ultimately, Dave Kindig seems more focused on his manufacturer's license and the Kindig Academy than on being a reality TV star forever. He’s a designer first.
Standout Builds You Might Have Missed
While everyone was focused on the drama of the finale, the cars in Season 11 were actually some of the best they’ve ever done.
- The 1950s VW Bug: In "The Souped-Up Beach Cruiser," Dave turned a rusty '50s Beetle into something that looked like it belonged on a California postcard.
- The '33 Roadster: This one, nicknamed the "Red Rocket," had a hardtop that nearly broke the upholstery shop. It’s a great example of how the show didn't hide the "it’s not working" moments.
- The Blue Boat: Dave took on an Oldsmobile for the first time in ten years. It was massive, elegant, and had that perfect Kindig stance.
What's Next for the Kindig Crew?
If you're worried about never seeing a Kindig build again, don't be. Just because the show "wrapped" its 11-season run doesn't mean the shop closed. In fact, Dave was all over SEMA 2025 with a 1969 Camaro that—honestly—polarized a lot of people. It had a supercharged LSX and some body mods that made purists scream, but that's exactly what Dave does. He pushes buttons.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Re-runs: MotorTrend and Max still have the full library. If you want to see the evolution from Season 1 to the high-tech Season 11, the episodes are still there.
- Follow the Shop Directly: Since the show isn't airing new episodes weekly, the Kindig-it Design social media and YouTube channels are where the "real" builds are being shown now.
- Visit the Showroom: If you're ever in Salt Lake City, you can actually visit the shop. They have a boutique and a showroom that lets you see the CF1s up close.
The era of Bitchin Rides Season 11 might be the end of a specific chapter in automotive television, but for Dave Kindig, it looks like he’s just finally getting his hands on the steering wheel he wanted all along. He’s no longer just a guy fixing cars for a camera; he's a guy building a brand that will outlast any TV contract.