The Rise and Fall of Orange County Choppers
American Chopper was more than a reality TV show — it was a cultural phenomenon that turned custom motorcycle building into must-see television. For nearly a decade, millions of viewers tuned in to watch Paul Teutul Sr. and his son Paul Jr. clash over deadlines, designs, and family drama at Orange County Choppers in Newburgh, New York. The show premiered on Discovery Channel in 2003 and ran until 2012, returning briefly in 2018 before going off the air for good.
At its peak, OCC was building themed bikes for Fortune 500 companies and celebrities alike. The shop became a tourist destination, and the Teutuls became household names. But behind the scenes, financial pressures, lawsuits, and the father-son feud took their toll. By the time the cameras stopped rolling, the empire had fractured.
Paul Teutul Sr. Now
Paul Teutul Sr. has had a turbulent decade since the show ended. He faced foreclosure on his sprawling OCC headquarters in 2018, and the property was eventually sold. Despite the setbacks, Senior has remained active in the motorcycle world, making appearances at bike rallies and custom shows across the country. In 2025, he relocated to a smaller shop in Florida where he continues to build custom choppers on commission. Now in his mid-seventies, he has slowed down but insists he will never fully retire from building bikes.
Paul Teutul Jr. and the Next Chapter
Paul Junior has arguably found the most success post-show. His company, Paul Jr. Designs, pivoted from pure custom bikes to a broader design and fabrication studio. He builds everything from themed motorcycles to corporate art installations and branded displays. Based in Montgomery, New York, PJD has carved out a steady niche that keeps Junior busy without the family drama that defined the show. He occasionally posts build videos on social media, maintaining a loyal fanbase.
Mikey Teutul and the Rest of the Crew
Mikey Teutul, the lovable younger brother who served as the show's comic relief, has largely stepped away from the spotlight. He pursued painting and artwork after the show, selling pieces through gallery shows and online. He keeps a low profile on social media but has appeared at fan events from time to time.
Other notable cast members have moved on as well. Vinnie DiMartino, the master fabricator, runs his own shop called V-Force Customs. Rick Petko, another fan favorite mechanic, stayed in the fabrication world and works on custom projects in the Northeast. Cody Connelly, who joined OCC as an apprentice, transitioned into a career in welding and metal fabrication outside of television.
The Legacy of American Chopper
Love it or hate it, American Chopper changed the motorcycle industry. It inspired a generation of builders, brought chopper culture into the mainstream, and proved that custom bikes could be art. The Teutul family saga may have ended on a complicated note, but the bikes they built — the Fire Bike, the Liberty Bike, the Black Widow — remain icons of early 2000s motorcycle culture.
