Dennis Gage

Dennis Gage, a passionate automotive enthusiast and television personality, grew up on a small farm in northwestern Illinois, where he developed an early interest in tinkering with machines. He purchased his first motorcycle at age 12 and his first car at 15, all while pursuing a love for music, playing guitar and trumpet in various bands. Gage attended North Central College, majoring in chemistry and physics, where he earned recognition for his research in quantum physics, and continued his passion for cars and music throughout his college years.

After obtaining his bachelor’s degree, Gage pursued a career in music, playing pedal steel guitar in country-rock bands and opening for renowned acts like Charlie Daniels and Waylon Jennings. He soon shifted focus to academics, earning a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Idaho, where he also met and married his high school sweetheart, Ellen. Gage’s professional career began at The Procter & Gamble Company as a product development scientist, where he worked on food products and rekindled his interest in classic cars. He later became Director of Global Product Development at a Bristol-Myers Squibb company, contributing to the development of products like Boost nutritional energy drink.

In 1995, Gage co-founded a production company and launched "My Classic Car," a television series that quickly gained popularity. Premiering as a weekly show on TNN in 1997 and later moving to the SPEED channel, "My Classic Car" became one of the highest-rated programs of its kind, hitting its 30th season in 2024 and is available on MotorTrend, MAVTV, Rev’n networks, and numerous streaming platforms. Gage also serves as Executive Producer for motorcycle programs like "Trippin’ on Two Wheels" and "Corbin’s Ride On," as well as the reality series "Texas Hardtails" and the independent film "Novem."

In 2010, Gage became the sole owner of his production company, renaming it MadStache, Inc. Recognized for his contributions to the automotive world, he has received numerous honors, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, the Lee Iacocca Award, and induction into the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Hall of Fame. With a lifelong love of cars, motorcycles, and the creative process, Gage continues to enjoy what he calls “the ultimate job.”