TLDR: Dave Rea joined Graveyard Carz in season five and quickly became a fan favorite for his no-drama approach to Mopar restoration, but he left the show after his 2017 episode to focus full-time on his own Oregon body shop, D.B. Restorations, LLC.
His exit was sudden and unexplained on screen, which only added to how much fans missed him.
Velocity Channel’s Graveyard Carz has always been about the cars first. The show premiered in 2012 and built its following around Mark Worman and his team working through some of the rarest wrecked muscle cars of the 1960s and 70s, with a particular obsession for Mopar.
Worman started the whole operation after he came across a worn-out 1971 Plymouth Barracuda. That car alone took 6.5 seasons to complete, which tells you everything you need to know about the scope of what the crew takes on.
Over the years, the cast rotated and evolved. Some members became fan favorites. One of the most beloved, and most missed, was assembly technician Dave Rea.
Who Is Dave Rea?
Dave Rea came onto Graveyard Carz starting in season five and carved out a reputation as the guy who just got things done. His job was assembly, which meant he was responsible for installing the equipment and making sure all the prep work and components came together correctly.
He was deeply knowledgeable about these cars and had the kind of quiet competence that stood out on a show where personality clashes were common.
Fans warmed to Rea quickly, and many felt he built a following that rivaled cast members who had been on the show much longer. The appeal was straightforward: he was sober, accommodating, and laid back in a way that contrasted sharply with some of the more volatile personalities on set. He did not get pulled into the drama. He just worked on cars.
Why Did Dave Rea Leave Graveyard Carz?
Dave Rea appeared in 21 episodes before his departure. His final episode was the 2017 installment titled Cuda Tat, and after that he was gone. The show did not make a big deal of it. There was no farewell episode, no on-screen explanation, and no announcement. He simply stopped appearing.
The reason, as Rea has indicated, was his own business. He is the founder of D.B. Restorations, LLC, a body shop based in Oregon that specializes in Mopar muscle cars and trucks from 1968 to 1972.
Beyond full restorations, the shop handles dashboards, heater boxes, and a range of other components specific to that era of American muscle.
By 2017, the business demanded more of his attention than a television production schedule could accommodate. Rea has said the show had its ups and downs, but his priority was growing the shop. That decision took him off camera for good.
Fans felt the absence. Part of why the exit stung was the timing: Rea had arrived when viewers were frustrated with the drama-to-restoration ratio on the show. He brought the focus back to the cars, which is exactly what the audience wanted. Losing him felt like losing that anchor.
What Has Dave Rea Been Doing Since?
After leaving Graveyard Carz, Rea poured his energy into building D.B. Restorations into a recognizable name in the Mopar restoration world. He set up social media accounts to document the shop’s work, and his Instagram gives followers a detailed look at ongoing projects.
One standout restoration was a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, where the team handled a full repair and repaint of the engine compartment.
In 2018, he launched a YouTube channel dedicated to the daily life of D.B. Restorations. The channel covers both partial and complete restorations, including modern engine suspension work and original equipment restorations, giving Mopar enthusiasts a window into the kind of detail work that rarely makes it to television.
His fan base from Graveyard Carz followed him there. It is a loyal crowd, and those who were drawn to his work ethic on the show tend to appreciate seeing that same approach applied to his own projects on his own terms.
As for Graveyard Carz, the show has continued without him. It remains one of the more distinctive entries in the car restoration genre, built around Worman’s deep expertise and the specific Mopar niche that separates it from more mainstream restoration programming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dave Rea leave Graveyard Carz?
Dave Rea left Graveyard Carz after his 2017 episode to focus full-time on his own business, D.B. Restorations, LLC, a Mopar muscle car restoration shop based in Oregon. He has said the show had its ups and downs but that growing his own business was the priority.
How many episodes was Dave Rea on Graveyard Carz?
Dave Rea appeared in 21 episodes of Graveyard Carz, joining the cast in season five. His final episode was the 2017 installment Cuda Tat.
What is Dave Rea doing now?
Dave Rea runs D.B. Restorations, LLC in Oregon, specializing in Mopar muscle cars and trucks from 1968 to 1972. He documents his restoration projects on Instagram and YouTube, where he built a following from fans who knew him through Graveyard Carz.
Was Dave Rea fired from Graveyard Carz?
There is no evidence that Dave Rea was fired. His departure appears to have been a personal decision to step away from television and dedicate his time to building his own restoration business. The show did not address his exit on screen.
What does D.B. Restorations specialize in?
D.B. Restorations, LLC focuses on Mopar muscle cars and trucks built between 1968 and 1972. The shop handles full restorations as well as specific components including dashboards, heater boxes, and engine work, covering both original equipment and modern suspension upgrades.
