Ian Roussel has built a fortune of $2-3 million through his custom car building skills and television career. The star of “Full Custom Garage” combines artistic vision with mechanical expertise to create one-of-a-kind vehicles that command premium prices. His wealth comes from multiple streams: custom car sales, TV show earnings, and brand partnerships.
Ian Roussel Net Worth
Financial reports put Ian Roussel’s net worth between $2 million and $3 million as of 2025. This figure reflects his success as both a craftsman and media personality. His wealth has grown steadily since his television debut, with a significant increase following the popularity of his show.
The exact numbers vary across financial reporting platforms. Celebrity Net Worth places him at $2.5 million, while other industry analysts suggest figures closer to $3 million based on recent projects and media contracts.
Sources of Wealth
Roussel’s income flows from several channels:
- Custom Car Sales – His unique builds often sell for five to six figures, with some exceptional projects commanding even higher prices. Each vehicle represents hundreds of hours of skilled labor and artistic vision.
- Television Earnings – As the star of “Full Custom Garage” on MavTV, Roussel earns both per-episode compensation and a percentage of show profits. The program has run for multiple seasons, creating a steady income stream.
- Brand Partnerships – Auto parts manufacturers and tool companies pay for Roussel’s endorsements, recognizing the value of his credibility with car enthusiasts.
- Merchandise – Branded products bearing his name or show logo generate passive income.
- Appearances – Car shows, conventions, and private events bring in additional revenue through appearance fees.
Unlike many in the automotive entertainment world, Roussel maintains hands-on involvement in his projects rather than simply lending his name. This approach has built both his reputation and financial portfolio.
Custom Car Builder & TV Personality
Ian Roussel stands out in the custom car world for his distinctive approach. He transforms ordinary or forgotten vehicles into rolling art pieces through metal fabrication, engine work, and artistic vision. His signature style combines raw, industrial aesthetics with precise mechanical engineering.
Before television fame, Roussel spent decades honing his craft in garages and workshops. This foundation of real-world experience gives him credibility unmatched by many TV personalities. He works primarily from his shop in California, where he tackles projects most builders would consider impossible.
His approach differs from mass-production custom shops. Roussel handles nearly every aspect of his builds personally – from initial design sketches to final assembly. This hands-on method limits his output but maximizes the uniqueness and value of each creation.
The MavTV show “Full Custom Garage” showcases his process, following projects from concept to completion. Unlike many automotive shows that focus on drama or artificial deadlines, Roussel’s program highlights genuine craftsmanship and problem-solving. This authentic approach has built a loyal fanbase who appreciate his no-nonsense attitude and remarkable skills.
Roussel’s profession represents a perfect blend of artistic expression and mechanical expertise. Each vehicle serves as both a functional machine and a statement piece, reflecting his unique vision and technical abilities.
Career Highlights
Roussel’s journey from garage tinkerer to television star includes several key milestones:
- Early career – Started working on cars as a teenager, developing fabrication skills through practical experience rather than formal training
- First major custom build – Completed an award-winning rat rod that caught industry attention and established his unique aesthetic
- MavTV deal – Landed his television show “Full Custom Garage” in 2015, bringing his work to a national audience
- Signature project completion – Finished his famous “Death Metal Charger,” which combined vintage Dodge components with his industrial aesthetic
- Industry recognition – Received praise from automotive legends and publications for his innovative approach to custom vehicles
- Exhibition features – Had his work displayed at major car shows including SEMA, bringing mainstream recognition
- Television success – Built “Full Custom Garage” into a multi-season program with international distribution
- Brand expansion – Developed partnerships with tool and automotive companies, extending his business beyond vehicle builds
- Educational impact – Inspired a new generation of builders through his techniques and problem-solving approaches
Each career milestone has contributed to both his reputation and financial growth. Unlike builders who rely on a team, Roussel’s personal involvement in projects limits his output but increases the value and desirability of his work.
Age and Early Life
Born in 1970 in California, Ian Roussel is 55 years old as of 2025. His childhood revolved around mechanical interests, with early memories of helping in his father’s garage. This early exposure to tools and engines laid the foundation for his future career.
Unlike many in his field, Roussel did not pursue formal automotive training. Instead, he learned through hands-on experience, taking apart and rebuilding engines as a teenager. This practical education gave him a problem-solving approach that characterizes his work today.
His early professional years were spent working in various automotive shops, where he developed his metalworking and fabrication skills. These experiences taught him to work with limited resources – a trait that still shows in his creative use of salvaged parts and materials.
The California car culture heavily influenced his development as a builder. Exposure to hot rods, customs, and the state’s diverse automotive scenes helped shape his unique style. By his late twenties, Roussel had begun developing the distinctive aesthetic that would later make him famous.
These formative years established the work ethic and creative vision that would eventually translate into financial success. His background of learning through doing rather than formal education characterizes his practical approach to both building and business.
Is Ian Roussel Married? Meet His Wife
Ian Roussel shares his life with his wife, who maintains a low public profile despite her husband’s television career. The couple has chosen to keep their relationship mostly private, with limited information available about their marriage.
What we do know suggests a supportive partnership. His wife occasionally assists with administrative aspects of his business while Roussel focuses on the creative and mechanical work. This division of responsibilities has helped him build his career while maintaining family stability.
They live near his workshop in California, allowing Roussel to balance family life with the demanding hours required for his custom builds. Unlike many television personalities who display their relationships on screen, Roussel keeps the focus on his work rather than his personal life.
Friends in the industry describe their relationship as grounded and supportive – a stabilizing factor in the often unpredictable world of custom cars and television production. This private approach aligns with Roussel’s overall authenticity and focus on craftsmanship rather than celebrity.
The couple’s desire for privacy demonstrates Roussel’s commitment to separating his professional persona from his family life – a rare quality in today’s media landscape.
How Ian Roussel Built His Business Empire?
Roussel’s business approach differs from many automotive personalities. Rather than rapid expansion, he has focused on quality over quantity. Each project receives his personal attention, limiting his output but maximizing the value of his work.
His business model includes several strategic elements:
- Selective Project Choice – Roussel chooses builds based on creative potential rather than just profit margins, building a portfolio of unique vehicles that enhance his reputation
- Media Leverage – His television platform showcases his skills to millions, creating demand for his services without traditional advertising costs
- Intellectual Property – By documenting his unique techniques and approaches, he has created valuable content beyond the physical vehicles
- Brand Consistency – His distinctive aesthetic makes his work immediately recognizable, strengthening his market position
- Direct Customer Relationships – Roussel works directly with clients rather than through intermediaries, increasing profit margins and client satisfaction
These approaches have allowed him to build wealth while maintaining creative control. Unlike mass-production shops that prioritize volume, Roussel’s business grows through reputation and quality.
His workshop operates with minimal staff, reducing overhead costs while ensuring his personal touch on each project. This lean approach maximizes profitability while maintaining the authenticity his customers value.
The business structure reflects Roussel’s personality – practical, no-nonsense, and focused on results rather than appearance. This alignment between personal values and business practices has created both financial success and career longevity.
Full Custom Garage
“Full Custom Garage” transformed Roussel from a talented but regionally known builder into a nationally recognized automotive personality. The show first aired on MavTV in 2015 and quickly found an audience among car enthusiasts.
The program’s financial impact includes:
- Direct Compensation – Roussel earns both per-episode fees and a percentage of show profits
- Visibility Premium – His builds now command higher prices due to their television exposure and his celebrity status
- Secondary Revenue – The show created opportunities for merchandise sales, appearances, and endorsements
- International Exposure – Distribution deals brought his work to viewers worldwide, expanding his customer base
Unlike heavily scripted automotive shows, “Full Custom Garage” focuses on Roussel’s authentic process and problem-solving. This genuine approach has built viewer loyalty and longevity, providing stable income compared to flash-in-the-pan television concepts.
The show also serves as a portfolio showcase, allowing potential customers to see his capabilities before commissioning work. This visibility eliminates much of the marketing burden faced by other custom builders.
Television success has allowed Roussel to be more selective with his projects, focusing on builds that interest him rather than taking whatever work comes through the door. This creative freedom represents a form of wealth beyond pure finances.
What Sets Ian Roussel Apart From Other Car Builders
Roussel has carved a unique position in the custom car world through several distinguishing factors:
His signature style combines industrial aesthetics with functional engineering. While many builders focus on glossy, show-car finishes, Roussel often embraces raw metal, patina, and exposed mechanical elements. This distinctive approach makes his work immediately recognizable.
Technical innovation marks many of his projects. Roussel frequently develops custom solutions when conventional parts won’t serve his vision. These problem-solving moments, captured on his show, demonstrate both creativity and mechanical understanding.
Versatility distinguishes his portfolio. Unlike builders who specialize in a single era or style, Roussel moves comfortably between classic hot rods, muscle cars, and entirely original creations. This flexibility has helped him weather changing trends in the automotive world.
His authentic personality contrasts with more polished television hosts. Roussel presents himself honestly – a working builder focused on results rather than camera presence. This genuineness resonates with audiences tired of over-produced reality television.
These factors combine to create both his distinctive market position and the financial success that comes with it. By finding an underserved niche and filling it authentically, Roussel has built both reputation and wealth.
Final Thoughts
Ian Roussel’s financial success story offers several insights. His path demonstrates how specialized skills combined with media exposure can build wealth without traditional business scaling. By staying true to his craft while embracing television opportunities, he created multiple revenue streams without compromising his work.
His career shows the value of authentic expertise in the media landscape. While many automotive shows feature personalities with minimal hands-on skills, Roussel’s genuine abilities stand out. This authenticity translates to longevity and stable income beyond quick fame.
The growth of his net worth from approximately $1 million in 2015 to $2-3 million in 2025 represents a sustainable trajectory rather than overnight success. This gradual building of wealth mirrors his approach to vehicles – methodical, detail-oriented, and built to last.
For fans and followers of “Full Custom Garage,” Roussel offers an alternative success model focused on craft mastery rather than rapid expansion. His financial journey proves that doing what you love with skill and integrity can lead to both creative and monetary rewards.