Ant Anstead’s net worth stands at an impressive $5 million, built through his remarkable journey from police officer to renowned car builder and television personality. Although initially serving as a Police Constable for six years (earning two commendations for bravery), he transformed his career to become the host of Channel 4’s “For the Love of Cars” and later co-hosted the popular series “Wheeler Dealers” from 2017 to 2020.
What makes his success story particularly fascinating is how he’s leveraged his automotive expertise into multiple revenue streams. Indeed, Anstead has earned nine World Records for his car builds and maintains an international waiting list exceeding two years for his bespoke classic vehicles. Furthermore, he’s expanded his brand through books like “Cops and Robbers: The Story of the British Police Car,” television shows including “Ant Anstead Master Mechanic,” and co-founding Radford Motors, a luxury coachbuilding brand. In this article, we’ll explore the complete journey of how this multifaceted entrepreneur built his considerable wealth and established himself as a respected figure in the automotive world.
From Police Officer to Car Builder
My law enforcement journey began in 1999 when I joined Hertfordshire Constabulary at just 18 years old. Starting at Bishop’s Stortford before moving to Cheshunt police station, I quickly advanced within the force. By 2003, I achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming one of the youngest Tactical Firearms Team officers in UK history.
During my time serving, I faced numerous high-stakes situations that shaped my outlook on life. I even spent three days guarding notorious criminal John Duffy, the convicted “Railway Murderer,” in a police safe house. These experiences exposed me to both the best and worst of humanity.
A life-changing moment occurred in 2005 when I was stabbed while apprehending a violent offender. This brush with death forced me to reassess my priorities, especially with my daughter’s recent birth. At 25, despite my successful six-year police career, I made the pivotal decision to resign and pursue my passion for car restoration.
Starting from scratch wasn’t easy. To launch my automotive business, I struck an unusual deal – renovating a farmer’s derelict cow shed in exchange for one year’s free rent. This humble space became my first workshop. To support my young family while building my business, I played semi-professional football, accumulating over 700 games across 17 years.
The first three years were challenging, working alone in that converted farm shed. Nonetheless, persistence paid off. As my reputation for quality craftsmanship grew, I eventually expanded, moving to a larger facility and hiring a team of skilled car builders. We began creating bespoke vehicles for clients worldwide, with each car uniquely tailored to its owner – right down to customized seating positions, steering wheels, and pedals.
My business approach was meticulous, providing each customer with a detailed photographic build diary and ensuring vehicles met all UK regulations. This attention to detail established my reputation in the automotive world and laid the foundation for my future success.
Breaking into Television and Media
My television career began unexpectedly in 2013 when Love Productions approached me to host Channel 4’s “For the Love of Cars” alongside actor Philip Glenister. Despite being new to television, I appeared so natural on screen that viewers assumed I’d been presenting for years. The show became hugely successful, returning for a second series in 2015 and a special in 2016.
Riding this wave of success, I took a bold step in 2014 by launching my own television production company, creating “The World’s Most Expensive Cars”. This entrepreneurial move demonstrated my understanding that building wealth requires diversification beyond just on-camera appearances.
Subsequently, my television portfolio expanded rapidly. In 2015, I co-hosted BBC Two’s live show “Building Cars Live” alongside James May and Kate Humble. However, my career reached new heights in 2017 when I was offered a five-year contract to replace Edd China on the American version of “Wheeler Dealers”. This opportunity, alongside host Mike Brewer, required relocating my family to the United States—a significant life change that proved immensely rewarding.
At this point, my reputation in automotive television was firmly established. The formula for “Wheeler Dealers” was straightforward yet captivating: Mike would find and purchase classic cars at good prices, then hand them to me for loving restoration. We restored over 150 cars throughout the show’s run.
In 2021, I began hosting “Celebrity IOU: Joyride” on Discovery+ with co-host Cristy Lee. The six-episode series featured celebrities like James Marsden, Octavia Spencer, Danny Trejo, Tony Hawk, and Mary J. Blige surprising deserving people with dream cars. Interestingly, it was on this show that I met Academy Award winner Renée Zellweger, who appeared as a guest.
Throughout my media career, I’ve maintained authenticity, bringing my genuine passion for cars to every project—a quality that resonates with viewers and contributes significantly to my overall net worth.
Business Ventures and Personal Brand
Beyond television hosting, I’ve built a diversified portfolio of business ventures that significantly contribute to my net worth. In 2014, I launched Angel 22, my own production company, creating shows like “The World’s Most Expensive Cars” and taking control of my media destiny.
My passion for sharing knowledge led me to author several successful books. My first two publications came in 2018 – “Cops and Robbers: The Story of the British Police Car” (HarperCollins) and “Petrol Head Parenting: The Essential Guide to Diagnosing and Nurturing a Petrol Head”. Later, I wrote “How to Build a Special,” which notably became the final title ever published by the legendary Haynes publishing house.
Perhaps my most ambitious venture began in 2020 when I partnered with Formula 1 champion Jenson Button to revive Radford Motors, a historic British luxury coachbuilding brand. Together, we launched the Radford Type 62-2, a retro-inspired sports car that quickly captured attention from auto enthusiasts worldwide.
Radford Motors: A Mixed Journey
Admittedly, this venture has faced considerable challenges. In October 2024, Radford filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid several lawsuits alleging mismanagement. As I stated publicly, “Like many entrepreneurial ventures, our journey has presented both opportunities and challenges”. Despite these difficulties, I remain “fully committed to advancing Radford’s vision and growth”.
My personal brand extends beyond these ventures. I’ve achieved nine world records for car builds and created the world’s largest Airfix auto model, featured in a 2011 Ripley’s Believe It or Not book. Additionally, I serve as patron of Harrison’s Fund, supporting research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Throughout my career, I’ve maintained a strategic approach to income diversification with multiple revenue streams: television hosting, book royalties, car restoration, earnings from Radford Motors, brand endorsements, and appearances. This diversification strategy has been essential to building financial stability and growth.
Conclusion
Looking back at Ant Anstead’s remarkable journey, we can see how his $5 million net worth stems from a perfect blend of passion, skill, and business acumen. His transformation from police officer to renowned car builder demonstrates how career pivots, though risky, can yield substantial rewards when driven by genuine enthusiasm. Undoubtedly, his television career accelerated his financial growth, yet his success wasn’t accidental or overnight.
What stands out most about Anstead’s wealth-building strategy is his refusal to rely on a single income source. Rather than depending solely on television appearances, he simultaneously developed multiple revenue streams through book publishing, custom car building, production companies, and business ventures like Radford Motors. Though not without challenges, as evidenced by Radford’s recent bankruptcy filing, these diverse income channels have created financial resilience.
Finally, Anstead’s story reminds us that authenticity matters in building lasting success. Throughout his journey from a converted cow shed to international recognition, he maintained his genuine passion for automobiles. This authenticity resonated with audiences and clients alike, establishing the trust necessary for long-term prosperity. Equally important, his willingness to take calculated risks—whether leaving law enforcement or relocating to America for “Wheeler Dealers”—opened doors that otherwise might have remained closed. Ultimately, Anstead’s path shows how combining passion with purposeful diversification can transform expertise into significant wealth.
