The car became an important part of the Bieri family legacy over time. He owned the car before he sold it to its former owner, and Derek’s late father owned the Buick before him. It took Derek over a decade before he was finally able to track down this family legacy Buick in Texas. He started the ‘Vice Grip Garage’ channel out of his passion for saving classic automobiles and muscle cars and sharing his experience working in the automotive industry.īefore becoming a full-time YouTuber, he was a successful C-level officer (former US veteran), President or owner of multiple companies, and is considered to be a “street smart” entrepreneur from a young age.ĭerek changed up his game a little when he purchased a 1956 Buick Special two-door hardtop, a car with its special links to his family. This old-school DIY mechanic is a husband, father of 3 boys, and is also known for Motortrend. Even to this date, Derek still has no official mechanical certification. He apprenticed under Roger Zweifel, working his way through school, building and/or restoring hundreds of 40s-60s hot rods and classic cars. He is considered to be an “old school” mechanic, too, as he relies on his senses more than any new gadgets or expensive tools.

He recalls watching his father, grandfather, and uncles working on the farm and ranch, making things work with what they had, and very rarely opting to buy new parts. Though he is not a certified mechanic, he picked up over the years while watching them work. Derek was born on May 16th, 1984, in Minot, North Dakota, USA, and grew up on a farm in the remote countryside of North Dakota where times could get tough, so he learned his skills from his father and grandfather over the years.

Vice grip garage