American Chopper: First Of Its Kind
Now, reality TV is super common – you can’t flip through the channels without seeing reality shows of every kind. But back in 2003, American Chopper was one of the first. It was filled with family drama, intense language, and heated arguments – and best of all, none of it was scripted! The audience was hooked.
American Chopper
Drinking Problem
After 15 years of addiction, Paul Sr.’s wife urged him to go to rehab and he acquiesced. But he’s not the only one in the family with addiction issues. Both of his sons also have substance problems, and Paul Jr. even went to rehab at the young age of 16.
Drinking
The Pauls At Odds
We all remember the dramatic moment when Paul Sr. fired Paul Jr. – causing the show a bunch of legal problems. TLC pointed out that the contract required both men to participate in the show, meaning that if one left, the show wouldn’t go on. Stubbornly, Paul Sr. refused to cooperate until TLC filed a notice that production had been canceled. This scared Paul Sr. into rehiring his son as a contractor, and filming resumed.
The Pauls At Odds
Contract Issues
Next came the defining moment in the Jr. vs. Sr. feud. There was a giant loophole in Paul Jr.’s new contract – it allowed Paul Sr. to buy his son out of Orange County Choppers. This would entail Paul Jr. losing all rights to appearing on the show or to compensation from it.
Contract Issues
Father-Son Lawsuit
You can guess what came next – Paul Sr. took advantage of the loophole, and took over the company. He even attempted to push his son out, which Paul Jr. didn’t take lying down. To coerce his son into leaving, Paul Sr. sued him for $1 million dollars… holy cow. In the end though, Paul Jr. won out – legally, at least.
Lawsuit
Goodbye
The lawsuit was over, but the problems remained. Although Paul Jr. won the legal battle, after talking with his father, the pair decided they couldn’t continue working together and being a family – so Paul Jr. left.
Goodbye
A Sad Accident
After leaving the OCC crew, Paul Jr. opened his own shop. Shortly afterwards, the roof of the garage started leaking – so logically, as any of us would do, he called a repair company. While fixing the leak, the repairmen fell through the roof and died instantly upon landing on the garage floor. Paul Jr. was horrified by the tragic incident, and offered his condolences and support to the man’s family.
Accident
Wedding Without Dad
In the midst of all of this family drama, there was a love story! On the American Chopper set, Paul Jr. met an acting McCuff girl who would become his wife – model Rachel Biester. The couple dated for two years, and then wed in August of 2010. Unfortunately, this timing placed their wedding in the middle of the father-son lawsuit battle. The legal fight was so heated that Paul Sr. didn’t show up to his son’s wedding.
Wedding
Thief
When the series, Orange County Choppers was working with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation in order to create a handicapped-accessible motorcycle, there was a bit of a problem. Once the episode went on the air in 2010, the crew was immediately sued by Christ Tavantzis. Tavantzis, who has polio, claimed he told the team about this very idea, but two years before.
Thief
Mikey Walks Away
We’ve heard a lot about Paul Jr. so far, but don’t forget, he’s not the only Teutul son on American Chopper. Paul Sr.’s other son, Mikey, was originally hired to do small jobs like taking out the trash, sweeping floors, and answering phones – but quickly, he became a fan favorite! His other important job was to make peace between his father and brother – but as you can imagine, this quickly got tiring. Eventually, Mikey couldn’t handle being in the middle any longer, so he left the OCC crew.
Mikey Walks Away
Yet Another Lawsuit
As the shop hand, Cody Connelly was practically part of the family. They even built him a motorcycle in secret! However, issues arose when the family refused to give it to him in the end – which led to Cody leaving the show after several seasons! And more than that, he even sued the Teutuls for $250K! But in the end, they settled the issue out of court.
Cody Sues
Financial Distress?
All of a sudden, rumors hit the streets that Orange County Choppers was having such intense money problems that they were closing forever! Once fans notices that the headquarters and main shop had been put up for sale, the talk only grew. Eventually, Paul Sr. announced that the shop was fine – OCC was just moving!
Financial Distress
Fake News
After a fake news website noticed that a man who was killed in a Louisiana motorcycle accident looked an awful lot like Paul Sr., they decided to run with the story that Paul Sr. himself had died. The story got out of control, and Paul Sr. himself had to go on Facebook to dispel the gossip.
Fake News
Shaq Attack
We’re talking about the NBA legend, Shaquille O’Neal, folks. See, he had always, always wanted to own a motorcycle but because he’s HUGE, he couldn’t fit onto a regular motorcycle. Until of course American Chopper stepped in. During their 2014 reunion episode, the entire crew pitched in and made a specialized, gigantic chopper just for Shaq.
Shaq Attack
Paul Jr. Can’t Get Away From TLC
When Paul Jr. proposed to Rachel Biester, TLC made the decision to offer the happy couple a new TV opportunity. So the network hooked ’em up on two of their wedding-themed shows – Say Yes To The Dress and Cake Boss.
Paul Jr Cant Get Away From TLC
Mikey The Artist
Mikey provided a lot of comedic relief during some of the show’s most intense moments. However, he eventually reached his breaking point and left. Afterwards he actually opened his own art gallery and sold some of his own paintings – guess he’s not just the funny guy anymore.
Mikey The Artist
Family Reunited?
Are father and son making amends? Some recent pics show that a happy ending might just be in the cards for the Teutul family. A social media photo from 2015 shows Paul Sr. with his grandson – Paul Jr’s son Husdson – when the baby was only three weeks old. Awww, way to melt our hearts!
Reunited
Paul Jr.’s Success
Paul Jr. left the family business awhile back, but don’t worry about him – his professional life is extremely successful. He was even contacted by video game empire Blizzard to make World of Warcraft-based bikes. Big-budget film companies have also asked him to make choppers for their movies – pretty impressive, Paul!
Paul Jr. Success
Vincent Breaks Out
Vincent DiMartino had only been working at OCC for a month when he learned he would be on a Discovery Channel reality show. He stayed on for a few seasons, and then left to start his own garage called V-Force customs. He remained close with the family, often reaching out to Paul Jr. for advice – which Paul was happy to give.
Vincent
Roots
So despite the fact that Vincent already had a successful bike shop and appeared in numerous other places, including Throttle Junkies TV, Untamed Sports TV, and Cox Sports Network, Vincent DiMartino decided to join up with his friend and former co-worker Paul Jr. to help him at his garage for the show, American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior. However, his dreams of owning his very own shop are still very much alive, and he is still running V-Force whilst working with Paul Jr.
Roots
Chef Mike
Mikey isn’t just funny and he isn’t just an artist, he’s also got another business venture cooking – a gourmet pasta sauce company, people. FarQueue Products produces homemade sauce but actually homemade – Mikey makes each of the sauces himself in his own kitchen.
Chef Mike
Paul Sr. Didn’t Know His Name
No, we’re not joking. All throughout Paul Sr.’s childhood, he did not know what his full name was. Additionally he didn’t know what his middle was until he turned 30. It doesn’t stop there, he actually didn’t know that he shareד a name with his father – which means that he could technically be Paul Jr., rather than his son. #mindblown
Paul Sr. Didnt Know His Name
Paul Sr.’s TV Career
Paul Sr. wasn’t just on American Choppers, he frequently appeared on a few other television shows. Like My Name Is Earl, his voice-over onKing of the Hill, and also in the music video for “Rock Star” by Nickleback.
Paul Sr.s TV Career
International Popularity
Even though the show is called American Chopper, it has a massive international fanbase – who are rather eager to meet the Teutul family. Therefore Paul and the OCC crew are able to travel all over the globe to build choppers for fans! Fun fact: the former Brazilian Prime Minister Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva is a huge fan of the show!
International Popularity
Bike Building Competition
Yup, the Orange County Choppers team would challenge two competing bike builders to a contest – the competition involved the building of a bike which is inspired by the T-51 Mustang, a famous plane that was flown in WWII. OCC were up against Paul Jr. Designs and the legendary Jesse James. During a two hour special, these three teams battled it to see who would come out on top. OCC would lose, placing third after PJD and then Jesse James.
Bike Building Competition
Competition: 2.0
Of course there was a rematch! This time around though, Paul Junior Designs competed with Jesse James and Gas Monkey Garage (from the hit show Fast N’ Loud) in order to create a chopper inspired by muscle cars. Jesse James required tons of extensions in order to finish his bike – sparking loads of drama. Paul Jr. Designs won again with a bike created from an actual grill from a 1939 Chevrolet.
Competition 2.0
Paul Jr.’s Generosity
Paul Jr. is well know for his charity work, especially when it comes to dogs. Not only has he adopted two dogs of his own, but Paul Jr. also constructed a dog park in his community of Montgomery, NY. Furthermore the rest of the crew pitched in and donated more than $50,000 to his cause.
Paul Jr. Generosity
Branching Out
Get this, Paul Jr. does way more than just build choppers – he is a businessman and entrepreneur as well. His company, Paul Junior Designs, was behind the creation of a new branch known as Paul Junior Studios, where they design logos and also provide marketing services for clients.
Branching Out
Net Worth: Paul Sr.
Paul Sr. doesn’t come from money, in fact he grew up in a pretty rough area of New York, but since then, he has dug himself out of the poverty line. Quite remarkably actually…to the tune of a net worth $15 million, Paul Sr. has come a long way.
Net Worth Paul Sr.
Net Worth: Paul Jr.
It goes without saying but Paul Jr. is a pretty talented businessman, from co-founding Orange County Choppers, he is also the owner and manager of the Orange County Iron Works, and additionally he is the founder and owner of Paul Jr. Designs. On top of it all, he is still making money from American Choppers. Which makes his net worth of $17 million pretty darn good.
Net Worth Paul Jr.
Rachael’s Boutique
Nope, Paul Jr. is not the only entrepreneur in the household. His wife of six years, Rachael, has her very own women’s clothing and accessories boutique. Located in Montgomery, New York, it opened its doors in the spring of 2014.
Rachaels Boutique
Business Advice from Paul Jr.
Paul Jr. is a truly successful entrepreneur who is always happy to dish out advice. Indeed he also offers inside advice to any up and coming business-people however he can. He suggests that you start out small and to take things slow. So that way, you won’t end up in huge debt and can easily accumulate customers while growing your business stress and debt free.
Business Advice From Paul Jr.
Paul Jr.’s Video Game Mini-Series
Blizzard, a video game company, created a very special mini-series a few year. Called Azeroth Choppers, the special focuses on how specialized choppers are made. The mastermind behind the cool name is the one and only Paul Jr.! Not only was the mini-series immensely popular, but they even created an in-game bike.
Paul Jr.s Video Game Mini Series
It Started With Pilgrim Studios
Here’s how it all started though, Paul Sr. was spotted while at the Daytona Beach Biketober with True Blue (his first ever bike), when Pilgrim Studios approached him to offer him his very own reality show. The production company, who is affiliated with Discovery Channel, wanted to create a reality show about Paul, his family, and of course, Orange County Choppers. As you know, he said yes, and the rest as they say is history!
Pilgrim Studios
Paul vs. Paul
So back in 2010, American Choppers got the ax, but that wouldn’t b the end of OCC. TLC made the decision to create a spin-off show, American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior. Which, as the name gives away, follows the father-son competition; it ran for four seasons. When that show went off air, the series finale showed Paul Sr., Paul Jr., and Mikey standing in front of their brand new family custom chopper. How cute.
Paul vs. Paul
Steel-Maker
Everyone has to start somewhere and Paul Sr. started off working in the steel industry – long before he created bikes, he fabricated steel and iron. In fact he even owned an ironworks shop up in Rock Tavern, New York back in 1973 – and, YES, the shop is still open today!
Steel
Not A Fan
No doubt about it, American Chopper has tons of fans, however Mikey is not one of them. An interviewer asked him if he watches his show and he responded with a firm “no way.” As he’s already lived through the real episodes, he doesn’t need to re-watch his life!
Not A Fan
No Cameras, Please
Here’s an odd fact but Paul Sr. is actually camera shy! Even from when he was a child, it is especially hard to find pictures of the elder Teutul. Eventually, he grew to the idea of being around cameras – which is good considering he had to film a reality show!
No Cameras
Surprise Success
When American Chopper first got going, the Teutul family went from total unknowns to national (heck even international) celebs! And it was all a huge surprise, especially when people from all over wanted to meet them, see their choppers, and get selfies or autographs.
Success
Paul Sr. Said No
Once the father-son relationship fell, Paul Jr. made the decision to open his own shop – which then gave network executives a bright idea. They first approached Paul Sr. to gage his interest in a father-son challenge show, but Paul Sr. was not keen on the idea. Initially he totally fought against the entire challenge idea.
My Answer Is NO
But Then…He Said Yes
However with the fact that Paul Sr.’s shop was having serious financial issues, and his show wasn’t even on air, a decision needed to be made. His staff basically begged him to go ahead and participate in the challenge show – and when he finally saw how much money they’d all make, he agreed.
He Said Yes
Hey, Big Spenders
Well then, we figured out the reason why the entire OCC crew was having serious money issues – all of them were spending way too much. While the show was on air, they had plenty of money running in and didn’t have to think about finances so much, therefore when the money stream slowed, they just continued spending.
Big Spenders
Was It The Moolah?
The OCC crew grew rather quickly, hey 100 workers worked in the shop at the end! Although no one quite knew how to handle such a large bunch of new kids. Alone, Mikey was just paid $10 an hour (which includes overtime), and Paul Sr. made about $80,000 per year.
Was It The Moolah
Entitlement Problems
Everyone knows that Paul Jr. and Paul Sr. had their set of problems. During an interview, Paul Sr. once said that their issues were due to their “conflicting sense of entitlement”, and he went on to say that he and his son were just too much alike. Although he did slip up once and call Paul Jr. his brother!
Entitlement Problems
Mikey, The Middleman
Mikey became the peacemaker between his father and brother – which wasn’t an easy task. Once in an interview, he admitted to feeling guilty when he couldn’t successfully help his family reach some agreement. He actually said that he felt he had “failed in his mission.”
Mikey, The Middleman
Done With Fighting
Everyone reaches their breaking point at some point and eventually Mikey reached his. Which is why before the final season of American Chopper kicked off, Mikey made the decision to leave, and to let his father and brother deal with their issues like adults. He cut all ties with the show, and quit his job as the official peacemaker once and for all.
Done With The Fighting
Regrets
While Mikey was done with all the drama and fights, he wasn’t so much done with the money. Therefore he once jokingly remarked that he should have just put up with the family feud a bit more so he could continue to earn money.
Regrets
Producers Fanned The Flames
Understandably the producers loved just how much Paul Jr. and Paul Sr. fought – it made for good ratings at the end of they day. so they of course encouraged the fights and never put an end to anything. Paul Sr. even claims that the show would cut scenes just to portray him as the worst monster ever.
Producers Fanned The Flames
Father-Son Relationship
Paul Sr. has publicly spoken about the rebuilding of his relationship with Paul Jr. – but only on a personal level, not a professional one. He stated that the two won’t ever work together again because family matters more than work and money.
Father Son Relationship
More Amends
Paul Teutul Jr. has a young, two year old son, who obviously can’t ride the custom choppers that his dad and rest of the family creates. So during the Christmas 2016 special, Paul Teutul Sr. gave his grandson a gorgeous die-cast model of the Statue of Liberty chopper. Although it was built by Paul Jr. actually.
More Amends
Video Games
So the American Choppers brand was well received in the first few seasons, thus creating two spin-off video games in the process! One game, created by Activision, titled American Chopper, was released for Xbox, Playstation 2, and even had a PC version. The second game, created by Creat, was titled American Chopper 2: Full Throttle, and was released for Xbox, Gamecube, and Playstation 2.
Video Games
Another Set Of Financial Woes
Everyone remembers the special custom made bikes that American Chopper makes, it’s their legacy – but you probably didn’t know that they cost between $150K – $250K. Yeah, really! Although the crew isn’t making these kind of fancy, high end choppers anymore, sue to financial issues so they’re just working on whatever they can really.
Financial Woes
Larger Repertoire
Now the OCC works on more than just plain ol’ choppers – they even customize snowmobiles and cars. Of course they haven’t quit making their special bikes, though – they can create these with junkyard parts for just $12,000.
Larger Repertoire
Moving Problems
MANY of OCC’s financial problems started when they moved to a giant, new garage. However it was really all down to bad timing as the financial crash in 2008 meant that most people just couldn’t afford such expensive, custom choppers.
Moving Problems
Comedic Relief
Mikey is a fan favorite for plenty reasons although his comedic relief is front and center. In fact, his talent often led him to represent American Chopper for promotional causes on TV shows like Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and the Late Show with David Letterman!
Comedic Relief
Started From The Bottom
Paul Sr. has always had a love for choppers – in fact, in 1999, he and his son chose to make their dreams come true! How? Well yhey built their very first bikes in their own basement. Named True Blue, they showed the custom chopper at Biketoberfest down in Daytona Beach.
Started From The Bottom
Network After Network
American Chopper was originally signed by Pilgrim Studios, which then went on to sell the show’s rights to Discovery Channel. Years later, the rights were sold once again to TLC, Discovery’s sister channel. Later, the show was broadcast on CMT (Country Music Television). In addition, there was often concern whether they’d even get picked up for another season, or let alone with another network. Most of the time was spent worrying whether they even had jobs, and with most of family’s money problems, there was no time to worry.
Network
Competition: Win An Orange County Chopper
When the show first premiered, Discovery Channel made the decision to promote it through a contest – the network even sponsored the competition to get a custom chopper m created especially by the crew. Discovery Channel then chose four winners, and each one had an episode devoted entirely to their custom bike. The bikes featured in the episodes “Custom Hog,” “Corporal Punishment,” “Female Snake Bike,” and “Vertebrate Bike.”
Competition
Time On The Air
American Chopper was on air for a whopping ten years! With 165 episodes and re-runs readily available, you can watch the show at any point.
Time On The Air
Mike Rowe, Narrator
Mike Rowe – yeah the Dirty Jobs extraordinaire – narrated American Chopper while it was on the Discocery Channel and TLC.
Mike Rowe Narrator
Paul Sr. The Marine
Paul Sr. serve in the US army, instead he was involved in Vietnam. Through a part of the United States Merchant Marines, which is a privately owned vessel that the government is allowed to control during wartime.
Paul Sr. The Marine
Tattoo Addict
Paul Sr. is has a reputation for getting tatted up – in fact an entire episode on the show was even dedicated to his special ink addiction. He even had a stint on Miami Ink. Turns out that he tends to gets tattoos when he’s feeling emotional. HMM.
Tattoo Addict
The Chopper Live: The Revenge
Discovery Channel announced the show would go off air with a special called “The Chopper Live: The Revenge”. This took place on December 11, 2012 after 10 seasons. The entire special was a competition with Paul Jr. up against his father, Jesse James, and the Team Fast ‘n Loud, Teutel. However Jr. won -again- with a New York inspired cycle. While Sr. finished last in fourth place.
The Chopper Live The Revenge
American Body Shop
American Body Shop was an improvisational comedy on Comedy Central, a parody on American Chopper. Even though it was canceled after one season, it brought a barrel of laughs.
American Body Shop
The Donald
Back on Celebrity Apprentice 5, Paul Teutul Sr. was a contestant until he was fired by Donald Trump during the April 15, 2012 episode.
The Donald
Lover Boy
Paul Sr. has been married twice and divorced twice, however he’s been in a serious relationship with Joan Kay for quite some time now. Often you’ll find Sr. and Kay riding choppers around Florida and New York. Furthermore they’re actively involved in animal rescue causes and advocate No Kill shelters.
Lover Boy
TMNT
Just last year in 2016, Paul Teutul Jr. created two kicka** bikes for the flick Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, starring Megan Fox and Arrow star Stephen Amell.
TMNT
I’m Jim Pratt
Once Mike Rowe left, Jim Pratt took over as the narrator. Especially during American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior.
Im Jim Pratt
Pinball
Turns out that a video pinball arcade game, created by Incredible Technologies, Inc. also existed! While they reached an on-site play test, they never released it.
Pinball
