Chris Duke Bio
Automotive Improvement Expert
San Diego-based Chris Duke is the true definition of an automotive enthusiast. His obsession with modifying vehicles as a hobby began with his first car. In a short timeframe, the value of the aftermarket accessories he installed out-valued the purchase price of the vehicle!
Now with his third heavily modified pickup truck, Chris has over 300 print pages of editorial and photography under his belt while he was Senior Editor of Ford Truck World Magazine. He also frequently travels to cover major events such as SEMA and car shows. During his editorial days, what Chris loved most was writing DIY articles, educating readers on how easy it was to modify their vehicles.
It’s no surprise to anyone that Chris took his obsession with cars to the next level, after creating a large network of online automotive communities for practically every niche, and managing a nationally-distributed print magazine. The Internationally-distributed television series Motorz was created out of his own frustration with other car shows that didn’t take DIY far enough. While other shows skip steps during the commercial breaks, Chris puts down the tools and waits for the cameras to roll again so viewers don’t miss out!
When not in front of a video camera playing with cars and trucks, Duke spends most of his time with his wife and two daughters, in addition to wearing other hats at his company, Duke Networks. As Executive Producer of Motorz, Chris oversees all operations with the staff, and manages the business. As Editor, Chris takes pride in making sure every episode produced is accurate, frame by frame.
The Host
Chris’ goal for Motorz is to keep it “real”, having a fun time installing products on vehicles like yours, using tools you probably already have in your garage. Think of the show like having a buddy over on the weekend to help you out and throw back a few cold ones, but this way you get to keep all the beer for yourself. What a great guy!
Too many other car shows use lifts, expensive tools, and make it look easy by skipping the hard steps. By showing the average Joe how to install products on his vehicle using common tools he has in his garage, anyone can walk away from watching an episode having the confidence to go out and buy that product they always wanted on their ride and install it themselves.
Chris gets his hands into the nuts and bolts of the install, showing you how to get the job done using simple tools, and the problems he encounters along the way. Whether it’s installing bolt-on performance modifications, wiring up electronics, or dressing up your ride for show, Chris gives you a realistic look at what lies beneath the installation instructions.
The Tool Man
During the 90′s, the sitcom Home Improvement was Chris’ favorite show that he watched every Tuesday night, religiously. Tim had an enthusiastic and overly comedic take on the use of tools which he found quite entertaining. Like Tim, Chris is very personable to his audience. Even if a viewer has never seen the tool that Chris is using for a project, he explains its use in a way that isn’t above them. His fans constantly applaud him for making DIY entertaining, educational, and fun to watch–all at the same time. You can really see his love and excitement for tools just by watching him on Motorz.
Sears, the parent company for Craftsman tools, saw this in Chris as well. They contacted him shortly after wrapping up the third season of Motorz to partner with him. Beginning with season four, Chris became an official spokesperson for all of the many brands of tools that Sears sells, but mainly Craftsman due to Chris’ adoration for the brand.
In addition to demonstrating the use of Sears-supplied tools on his show, Chris makes regular appearances in the Sears tools catalog (both print and online), is a Sears Tool Advisor, and during the holidays he is one of four featured Gift Gurus! This incredible “dream come true” partnership between Chris and Sears continues to grow, season after season. In addition to having his studio filled completely with Sears products to use on his show, he also gives Craftsman tools away every month through giveaways!