Who Is Chad Hiltz?
Chad Hiltz — known worldwide as "Bad Chad" — is a 54-year-old Canadian custom car builder, reality TV star, and founder of Hiltz Auto Co. in Canning, Nova Scotia.
He is best known as the star of Discovery Channel's Bad Chad Customs, a show that ran from 2019 to 2020 and showcased his extraordinary ability to transform scrap metal, junkyard parts, and everyday household objects into award-winning custom vehicles.
As of 2026, Chad remains active through his YouTube channel, live appearances at car shows, and his ongoing creative builds in Nova Scotia. His long-time fiancée Jolene MacIntyre continues to be his business partner and co-star.
Chad Hiltz Quick-Facts Table (2026)
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Chad Hiltz |
| Nickname | Bad Chad |
| Date of Birth | August 31, 1971 |
| Age (2026) | 54 years old |
| Birthplace | Kingsport, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Ethnicity | White/Caucasian |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (172 cm) |
| Weight | ~68 kg (149 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Light Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Profession | Custom Car Builder, TV Personality, Entrepreneur |
| TV Show | Bad Chad Customs (Discovery Channel) |
| Business | Hiltz Auto Co. (formerly Green Goblin Customs), Canning, NS |
| Fiancée | Jolene MacIntyre (engaged August 2017) |
| Net Worth (2026) | ~$2–3 million (estimated) |
| YouTube | @Bad Chad (188K+ subscribers) |
| @badchadcustoms |
Early Life and Family Background
Chad Hiltz was born on August 31, 1971, in Kingsport — a quiet seaside village on the shores of the Minas Basin, Kings County, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Growing up surrounded by the ocean and open countryside, Chad had one constant obsession: cars. His father, Doug Hiltz, owned the local White Rose Gas Station and was a passionate car enthusiast himself. His mother, Patricia Hiltz, also had a well-known love for automobiles, including a vintage 1946 Dodge. The Hiltz household was, in every sense, a car family.
Here's why that mattered:
- Chad spent his childhood practically living at his dad's gas station
- He absorbed mechanical knowledge from an early age, without any formal training
- His father once sold a rare hockey card collection to buy Chad his first car — a 1934 Ford three-window coupe — at age 16
- That early gesture of belief shaped Chad's sense of loyalty, creativity, and drive
"One man's junk is another man's treasure" has always been Chad's operating philosophy — and it all started in that small Nova Scotia gas station.
Education:
Chad's academic journey was short and turbulent. He briefly enrolled in a local college to study an Auto-Body course, which seemed like the perfect fit. However, after a physical altercation with another student, he dropped out entirely.
Before that, Chad had already left high school at the age of 16. His education path looked like this:
- Attended a private school in Kingsport
- Left high school at 16 — the same year he got his first car
- Enrolled in Auto-Body college courses — dropped out after a fight
- Began working at Grain Mills in 1987 — his first official job
- Got fired from several jobs before deciding to follow his passion full-time
What Chad lacked in formal education, he more than made up for in raw ingenuity. He was eventually mentored by Gene Winfield, a legendary figure in the custom car world — and that real-world apprenticeship became his true MBA.
Career: From Green Goblin Customs to Discovery Channel Star
Building the Green Goblin Customs Legacy
In the mid-1990s, Chad opened his own custom car garage on the outskirts of Canning, Nova Scotia. He named it Green Goblin Customs — a nod to the Marvel Spider-Man villain — and it quickly became a local landmark.
His approach to car-building was unlike anything the industry had seen:
- He sourced parts from boats, airplanes, old lockers, kitchen cabinet knobs, and scrap metal
- He worked with basic tools and zero-budget ingenuity
- He created entirely original vehicles that blended mechanical skill with artistic vision
- Every build was unique — no two cars ever left the shop looking alike
Some of his most iconic builds include:
| Build Name | Base Vehicle | Notable Feature |
| The Green Goblin | '62 Chrysler | Engine in the back, trunk in the middle, no doors |
| Bat Out of Hell | Custom build | Kitchen cabinet knobs, rear dorsal fin |
| The Chadillac | '57 Cadillac | Full Bad Chad signature aesthetic |
| Bubbletop Gasser | '85 Ford LTD Station Wagon | Radical custom roofline |
| Cruella De Vil | '39 Chevy | Named after the iconic villain |
| The Canning Kid | '34 Ford | One of his earliest celebrated builds |
Award-Winning Recognition
Chad's builds didn't just turn heads locally — they won major competitions:
- Three awards at World of Wheels in Boston (his first American show)
- Four awards at the Castrol Radical Speed Sports Show in Moncton
- Master Builder Award after showcasing a car at the Boston World of Wheels
- First Place, Radical Custom category — multiple shows
From Green Goblin to Hiltz Auto Co.
After Bad Chad Customs premiered, a legal issue emerged: Marvel Comics owned the trademark for the "Green Goblin" name. Unable to commercialize merchandise under that name, Chad made a smart business move and rebranded as Hiltz Auto Co. — a name that is entirely his own and carries no IP restrictions.
Jolene MacIntyre, his fiancée and business partner, serves as co-founder and manager of Hiltz Auto Co., handling operations, marketing, and the financial side of the business.
Bad Chad Customs: The Discovery Channel Show
How the Show Was Born
The origin story of Bad Chad Customs is surprisingly romantic. Chad began building a custom replica of Ralph Lauren's iconic $40 million Bugatti as a gift for Jolene. Jolene began documenting the entire process on social media. The videos went viral, catching the attention of Sky Ltd.'s Love Productions, who were producing content for Discovery Channel.
The result? A full reality TV series that brought Chad's story to the world.
Show Timeline
- Season 1: Premiered January 1, 2019 — ended February 5, 2019 (Discovery Channel)
- Season 2: Premiered August 17, 2020 — concluded October 5, 2020
- Post-show: Chad and Jolene transitioned to near-daily YouTube broadcasts on the Bad Chad Show channel
- 2022–2026: Regular appearances at car shows, including the Toronto Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo
The show's formula was straightforward but addictive: watch a madman genius turn junk into rolling art. Each episode documented a full build from scrap to showroom, with Chad's tight-knit team by his side.
The Bad Chad Customs Core Team
- Chad Hiltz — Master builder and creative lead
- Jolene MacIntyre — Shop manager and co-founder
- Colton Hiltz — Chad's son, apprentice builder
- Aaron — Lifelong friend and builder
- Alex — Shop mechanic
Chad Hiltz's Fiancée: Jolene MacIntyre (2026 Update)
This is one of the most-searched questions about Chad — and the answer is surprisingly heartwarming.
How They Met
Jolene MacIntyre first crossed paths with Chad at the Annual Rockabilly Weekend Car Show, which Chad himself founded in 1998. She was working at a pool hall in New Minas when Chad asked her to put up a poster for the show. That first conversation sparked a connection neither of them expected.
They began dating in late 2016 and got engaged on August 12–13, 2017.
Who Is Jolene MacIntyre?
- Born: 1989, Centreville, Nova Scotia
- Education: Bachelor of Commerce in Finance, Saint Mary's University, Halifax + studies in Kinesiology
- Sports: Played as a midfielder for the SMU Huskies soccer team
- Career: Supervisor at Centreville Golf Resort → Pool Hall in New Minas → Co-founder of Hiltz Auto Co.
- Role at Hiltz Auto Co.: Business operations, marketing, crew management, budgeting
- Social Media: Active on Instagram with a growing following
Jolene is far more than a TV personality's partner. She is the business brain behind Bad Chad's brand. When Chad had the raw talent but zero social media presence, Jolene spent an entire year self-promoting his builds online — and that effort is what led directly to the Discovery Channel deal.
As of 2026, Chad and Jolene remain engaged. They have not publicly announced a wedding date, but continue to work and travel together, including international trips to Australia for car events.
Chad Hiltz's Personal Life: Marriages and Children
Chad's romantic history is layered and honest — he has never tried to hide it.
Marriage History
| Marriage | Age at Marriage | Details |
| First Marriage | Age 16 | Identity kept private; shared one daughter |
| Second Marriage | Age 27 | Marriage ended in divorce; son Colton born August 10, 1998 |
| Relationship with "Masher" | ~1999 | Daughter Harlee born 2004; relationship ended |
| Engaged to Jolene MacIntyre | 2017–present | Still engaged as of 2026 |
His Children
- Daughter (unnamed): From his first relationship, identity kept private
- Colton Hiltz: Born April/August 1998 — son and apprentice builder who appears on Bad Chad Customs
- Harlee Hiltz: Born 2004, daughter — played soccer for Nova Scotia's Northeast Kings Education Centre team
Jolene developed strong bonds with all of Chad's children. She even documented Harlee's prom night — her date arriving in the very first car Chad ever built on Bad Chad Customs. That's the kind of family bond fans don't always hear about.
Chad Hiltz Net Worth 2026
Estimated Net Worth: $2–3 Million USD
The inflated $90 million figures circulating on some websites are wildly inaccurate. The realistic breakdown of Chad's income sources:
| Income Source | Estimated Contribution |
| Hiltz Auto Co. custom car builds | Primary revenue |
| Bad Chad Customs (Discovery Channel) | ~$100,000/season (reported) |
| YouTube channel (@Bad Chad, 188K+ subs) | $216–$14,700/month (estimated) |
| Merchandise (hoodies, t-shirts, hats) | Secondary revenue |
| Car show appearances & autograph events | Additional income |
| Sponsorships and partnerships | Growing revenue stream |
Chad's wealth is modest by Hollywood standards, but it is 100% built on his own hands and creativity. He has never relied on a wealthy backer or corporate partnership — everything came from turning scrap into something beautiful.
Chad Hiltz Height, Weight, and Physical Profile
| Attribute | Measurement |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in / 172 cm |
| Weight | 68 kg / 149 lbs |
| Build | Athletic/Slim |
| Eye Color | Light Brown |
| Hair Color | Black (usually short, often under a cap) |
| Chest | ~39 inches |
| Waist | ~32 inches |
| Biceps | ~14 inches |
| Tattoos | Extensive — full body tattoos, visible on show |
Social Media Presence (2026)
| Platform | Handle | Followers (approx.) |
| YouTube | @Bad Chad | 188,000+ subscribers |
| @badchadcustoms | 47,000+ | |
| @ChadHiltz | 14,200+ |
Chad's YouTube channel has uploaded over 1,000 videos since launching on June 28, 2016. The channel features behind-the-scenes builds, vlogs, and live event coverage — giving fans an ongoing look at the work that made him famous.
Why Chad Hiltz Is a One-of-a-Kind Builder
What makes Chad different from every other car builder on TV? It comes down to three things:
Zero restrictions on source materials. While most builders search for specific Camaros or Mustangs, Chad scours barnyards and junkyards for anything. A kitchen cabinet, an airplane panel, an old school locker — if he can imagine it in a car, he will put it there.
Extreme low-budget creativity. Chad built a replica of Ralph Lauren's $40 million Bugatti — without spending millions. That tells you everything about his resourcefulness.
Community roots. Chad didn't build his fame in Los Angeles or New York. He built it in Canning, Nova Scotia, population just over 800 people. His annual Rockabilly Weekend event (which he's been hosting since 1998) draws car enthusiasts from across Canada — and is a testament to how deeply he is embedded in his community.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chad Hiltz
How old is Chad Hiltz in 2026?
Chad Hiltz is 54 years old in 2026. He was born on August 31, 1971.
Is Chad Hiltz married to Jolene MacIntyre?
As of 2026, Chad and Jolene are still engaged — not yet married. They got engaged on August 12–13, 2017, and remain a couple both personally and professionally.
What is Chad Hiltz's net worth in 2026?
Chad Hiltz's net worth is estimated at $2–3 million USD, earned through his car shop, TV show, YouTube channel, and merchandise.
What happened to Bad Chad Customs on Discovery Channel?
Bad Chad Customs aired for two seasons: Season 1 in January–February 2019 and Season 2 in August–October 2020. There has been no official announcement of a Season 3 as of 2026, but Chad remains active on YouTube.
Where is Chad Hiltz from?
Chad Hiltz was born and raised in Kingsport, Nova Scotia, Canada, and currently operates his shop in Canning, Nova Scotia.
How tall is Chad Hiltz? Chad Hiltz stands 5 feet 8 inches tall (172 cm).
Does Chad Hiltz have children?
Yes. Chad has three children from previous relationships: a daughter (identity private) from his first marriage, a son named Colton (born 1998), and a daughter named Harlee (born 2004).
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References
All references are provided for transparency and verification. These are external sites and are not affiliated with this publication.
- Hiltz Auto Co. Official Website — hiltzautoco.com
- Distractify — Jolene MacIntyre on Bad Chad Customs — distractify.com
- The Cinemaholic — Jolene MacIntyre Profile — thecinemaholic.com
- Biography Tribune — Chad Hiltz Full Bio — biographytribune.com
- Celebs Worlds — Chad Hiltz Wiki — celebsworlds.com
- Motorama Show — Bad Chad at Toronto Motorama 2023 — motoramashow.com
- Famous Birthdays — Chad Hiltz Profile — famousbirthdays.com
- Glamour Biz — Chad Hiltz Biography — glamourbiz.com