Count The Facts, Not The Cars!
Fans of 'Counting Cars' are shocked! Every week they keep catching more fake aspects to the show. Part of the charm of watching these guys on television is their honesty. Would it turn out the entire show was a lie? We love to watch the drama, and more importantly, the customer reveals!
Fans can become hard-core when it comes to their favorite television personalities, but would die-hard fans know how this was fake from the beginning, or did they believe in the illusion? Drive off into the sunset with these twisted top-secret facts now!
FAKE: They Always Have All The Correct Parts
With the projects Danny and his team are focusing on, the parts should take weeks to arrive or longer. Every time they need a unique or vintage fit, they miraculously have one in stock! Fans began to notice this and called it out.
As previously mentioned, the work is edited to show in one television episode but it's true they do have to order any parts in preparation. This is why it’s so important to always keep the camera rolling to catch those in-between reality moments! Audience members everywhere think this next secret was always too good to be true!
FAKE: Time Stands Still In The Garage
The shop is known for incredible restorations and making customer’s dreams come true. Have you ever noticed how quickly the team is able to complete the work? An actual restoration takes days, weeks, or sometimes months but the crew completes one or two cars an episode.
This is one of the biggest tells for the show being FAKE! It’s not possible to complete the work in this timeframe, no matter how many hours are worked. The crew does complete all the work themselves but editing magic makes them look faster than they appear. What about the original negotiations and buying of cars? Do you think it’s scripted or genuine?
FAKE: Danny Loves The Fame
Life is pretty great for the entire cast and crew of ‘Counting Cars’, but there’s always a price of fame. Danny has felt this as the business continues to get more difficult. Negotiating to buy cars and also when he tries to sell cars from his personal collection is more challenging now than before.
Between employees being robbed or customers being disgruntled, every day will have their new challenges. No matter what happens, this is Danny's business so it's lights, camera, ACTION! If he's struggling to sell his own cars, what does that mean for negotiations on the show?
How Authentic Are The Garage Crew?
You might think that after spending this much time together the crew can’t wait to have some personal space but they’re actually good friends on and off camera. A lot of them have been working together for years and totally understand each other and how to communicate.
The shop originally only had seven employees but quickly jumped to fifty employees due to popularity and an increase in work. Danny has been long-time best friends with shop manager Kevin Mack, and the two only show certain crew in front of the cameras. It helps if you have a big personality to earn your tv time. No matter who you are everyone needs to follow these unspoken rules in and out of the shop.
FACT: Don't Ask Don't Tell
Count’s Kustoms is a real business that will continue even after the cameras stop rolling. Even though the crew and staff seem wild they will continue to follow unspoken rules to keep their jobs.
Danny is extremely private about his family. Everyone knows better than to ask about his wife or kids on or off-camera. We think this is understandable and everyone deserves privacy for their private life. The second biggest rule is don’t ask about the bandana! Danny’s trademark has been a part of his style for decades and isn’t going anywhere. Did this employee step out of line before he left the show?
FACT: Roli’s Departure Drama
Roli Szabo was the popular car detailer on ‘Counting Cars’. He was born in Hungary and moved to the United States in 1997. His first job in America was actually at a circus until he moved into cars and drove for the army.
He was an employee at ‘Counting Cars’ before it got famous. At his peak, he was making 2,000$ an episode. According to his social media, he’s still on great terms with the crew and Danny but no one really knows why he left. Roli did open his own business so maybe he felt it was time to go off on his own journey. Before Roli left, the price of fame left him homeless with this true fact!
FACT: Roli Szabo Trailer Stolen In The Night
The price of fame can sometimes cost an entire trailer! Roli Szabo parked his trailer in 2017 full of art supplies at the parking lot of Mango’s Beach Bar. When he parked the trailer a couple of fans recognized him and came up for autographs.
The next day when he returned the trailer was gone! Mago’s checked their security footage and the same fans that recognized Roli also stole his trailer! If Roli wasn’t famous he might have saved himself thousands of dollars in replacing equipment. One thing’s for sure, everyone’s past always has a way of sneaking upon them. This next team member is a fan favorite, but does he enjoy the spotlight?
FACT: Ryan Evans Is Awesome
From his signature goatee to his impressive airbrush skills, the head artist at Count’s Kustoms has a big personality to match his awesome art. Evans got into airbrushing from a t-shirt his parents bought him at seven years old.
He was discovered by the shop’s lead motorcycle builder, Shannon Aiku seventeen years ago and hasn’t looked back since. He’s got a pretty high position in the shop and all of his work on or off-screen is 100% genuine. Do you remember this other goatee crew member? Was his exit from the show suspicious?
FACT: Joseph Frontiera Legal Drama
One of the original cast members on ‘Counting Cars’ his signature goatee made him fit right in! While Joseph seemed to really care about the shop and his relationships, this lawsuit drama proves he never had good intentions.
Frontiera got into hot water when his lawsuit with Count Kustoms went public and it was confirmed he was being charged with embezzling 75,000$ plus tax evasion. After Frontiera was fired from the Vegas shop he moved to Florida and is still dealing with IRS issues! With all of these shady characters in the garage, the only thing fan's can trust are the cars!
FAKE: A Car’s Origin Story
When the team from the garage finds an abandoned diamond in the rough they say it’s lucky. When it turns out this abandoned car is actually a rare vintage car, fans have a couple of questions. This is definitely part of the show that Danny and the production team embellish.
Normally they have sourced the cars or made a deal with the previous owners to buy the car and do the work. These are self-indulgent and fun projects to let their creativity fly! If the car origin story is fake, what about the customer negotiations?
FAKE: The Negotiations
Anyone who owns a car knows it’s never as easy as one handshake. On ‘Counting Cars’ Danny seems to find cars by going for a drive with owners who don’t counteroffer or have any concerns with handing over their cars.
Producers have confessed the negotiations are scripted and not the first conversation Danny has with the owners. Danny has also said due to the show’s popularity negotiations have actually become more difficult to organize. Is it true that the crew are really all friends off-camera?
FACT: There Are More People Working Than You See
There's no way the main characters of this show could do all the work by themselves, but why don't we ever see anyone else on camera? The garage will usually have at least 15 cars going at one time! Business is booming, but employee camera time is not!
With at least 45 employees plus a full camera crew, there can be close to 80 people in the garage all day. You would think this would make the shop feel crowded but for filming purposes, everyone has a wide berth. When it’s an employee’s time in front of the camera, do they read a script or is it a genuine conversation?
FAKE: There's No Script
These garage guys are definitely directed on what to say to push the flow of an episode. The conversations outside of cars however are not scripted. Sometimes, they might edit or ask to retake certain reactions to big news, especially surprising reveals.
We couldn’t believe that the customers saw their cars for the first time off-camera! In order to review the work with Danny, they are shown the cars first and then asked to fake surprise at the reveal. We think there are a couple of Oscar-winning performances captured! What about the budget blowouts? Are those real or fake for audiences?
FAKE: Budget Blues Are Just For The Camera's
Long-time fans will recognize Danny getting stressed about his projects going over budget, but how much of his stress is real? It’s obvious that the shop is making a lot of profit, why does he have to struggle with counting pennies?
While the stress of following the budget is fake, Danny has always been frugal and doesn’t like to spend what isn’t necessary. He wants a high profit and low investment per project and doesn’t cut corners in the final results. This employee was the main person handling the budget, is that why he left the shop and never returned?
FACT: Scott Ran Away Down South
The original shop manager and budget balancer were employee Scott Jones. He was a main cast and crew member in seasons one and two and disappeared without a trace on season three.
The rumors flew across the internet from the speculation of a fight with Danny to stealing from the shop. The most likely truth is that Scott didn’t like to be on tv and moved back south to Greeneville, Tennessee, and started his family. Scott’s since opened his own shop, but none of his current employees match this big personality from Counts Kustoms!
FACT: The Style Of Horny Mike
We wish it was just for the camera but Mike Henry, aka Horny Mike definitely knows how to poke a hole into the audience’s hearts! Originally an artist, horns are Mike’s signature and find their way onto anything he is working on. Danny loves Mike’s out-there approach to art and always enjoys his advice on projects.
Off the show, Mike is well known for his creative style. He has got different headpieces including hats and bananas all complete with different horns. The public loves it and he graciously stops for a lot of selfies with fans. One employee thought fans would treat him better but they robbed him blind!
FAKE: Doc Is Not Medically Trained
Joseph Duggan was the Doc on the custom clock! His main role was to fit the vintage cars with all the latest technology and he had a great on-screen persona. However, if you got into an accident he's not the guy to run to!
Fans thought the doc was loaded and decided to rob his house while he was away with his family. The robbers had cleaned him out but also did his dishes and used his bathroom before leaving. The incident made him beef up security with a couple of high-tech gadgets! Do Doc's gadget's always impressed the customers or is that all for the cameras?
FAKE: Customers Are Always Happy
On-screen nothing gets by without Danny’s approval, but what about customer satisfaction? At the beginning of every project, the team talks with the customer to find out what they want, but then they end doing their vision instead.
Luckily, the finished product is shown before the cameras roll and most of the time everyone is happy. There have been a couple of cases of disappointment, including one couple that is still suing for their deposit back! Have you ever noticed this other major tell about this fake reality?
FACT: They Work On More Than Cars
The shop is highly skilled and they love a good challenge! In 2012, Danny and the team decided to tackle the biggest car they could find - a boat! This water vehicle was a new vehicle to the team and the episode definitely looks like Danny is in hot water!
One team member leads the way with non-traditional restorations. Motorcycle shop manager Shannon Aikau met Danny Koker when he built him a custom motorcycle. Danny loved the work and offered the Hawaii native a spot at his garage! Will customers leave a positive review after visiting the garage to see the boys in action?
Leave A Review, We Dare You
On camera, we’ve never seen a disappointed customer. The work done on the cars is always flawless and makes everyone thrilled. However, off-camera is a different experience.
Count’s Kustoms offers tours when they aren’t filming and even has a guest shop but people have been less than thrilled after visiting the famous garage. From complaints of terrible customer service and outrageous admission costs, it seems like custom experience stops when the camera isn’t rolling. How much do you really know about the star of 'Counting Cars'?
Danny “The Count” Koker
The main host of ‘Counting Cars’ is Danny “The Count” Koker. He rose to reality television fame through the series ‘Pawn Stars’ as a car expert and also was locally recognized by appearing on Vegas cable shows.
He’s the main face of ‘Counting Cars’ and owns the garage the show is filmed in. He’s recognized for his unique style and trusted bandanas. On the show, he’s very laid back and doesn’t take charge but don’t be fooled. Koker is the executive producer and calling more shots than you realize. What happened to the castmates from ‘Pawn Stars’.
A Pawn To Becoming A Star
Koker was a regular expert on the show, and his knowledge of cars was called upon for evaluations. The main face of ‘Pawn Stars’ is Rick Harrison, who grew up driving motorcycles with Danny when they were kids.
When Danny stopped appearing on ‘Pawn Stars’ the internet was quick to speculate that he had a falling out with the cast, but they are all still on good terms and have remained friends off-camera. What was it like for Danny to work in the city of sin and become famous in Las Vegas?
The Real-Life Story of Danny Koker
Danny grew up in Ohio and Michigan. Both of these towns are small compared to the lights and appeal of Vegas. Danny’s father, Daniel Koker Sr, was an executive for Ford motors and introduced his son to cars and motorcycles early.
His father gave him his first motorcycle at eight years old and Danny spent the rest of his life learning as much as he could. Fans of ‘Counting Cars’ have noticed his slips and mistakes on the show sometimes which makes us question how much is real on-screen. Are Danny's brand and business all a big lie?
A Trademark You Can Count On
Danny doesn’t just own Count’s Kustoms, he has several businesses in Las Vegas. He also owns Count’s Tattoo Company, a rock club called Count’s Vamp’d, and a recording studio Desert Moon. Danny loves music thanks to his father’s influence and is also the lead singer of the band Count’s 77
Just like his shop never seems to stop, neither does this hard-working man, and that's a fact! Originally the show was only scheduled for 26 episodes but eight years later they’ve done almost ten times that amount. Danny wasn't always a famous celebrity and had a spooky start to being a star!
Blast From The Past
Before Danny had several small businesses and the popular show ‘Counting Cars’, he was on a local Las Vegas tv show. This wasn’t just any kind of show and Danny’s character was a spooky bone-chilling host.
The show was called ‘Saturday Fright At The Movies’ and Danny’s character was called “Count Cool Rider”. The program would air a different horror movie every week and Danny would introduce the film. In the shows opening’s credits, he can be seen on a motorcycle tearing up the Las Vegas streets. It was never Danny’s dream to be on television but now he uses his platform to speak his truth on all issues.
Danny Believes Climate Change Is Fake!
In 2021 everyone is trying to be mindful of the environment. We only get one chance to make this planet safe for future generations and making simple changes to go green goes a long way! Danny was fed up with being asked what he thought about climate change constantly and told reporters his surprising views!
Danny made it public that he thinks climate change is invented by politicians and that there is still enough oil and resources to go around. It’s easy to understand why Danny wouldn’t want people to stop driving cars, his livelihood would be impacted, and his reputation! How did the rest of the crew feel about this controversial statement?
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint
If you work for Counts Kustom’s you get used to hearing your boss say a lot of stuff. None of Danny’s employees have gone on record to agree or disagree with the producer of ‘Counting Cars’. We think we’d be careful of our words too if our jobs were on the line.
You can reduce your carbon imprint by buying recycled products and looking into public transit or riding a bicycle. Small changes help everyone enjoy our beautiful planet longer. The shop gets a lot of celebrity guests who are active environmentalists. Can you guess who walked in the doors?
A Custom Mercedes For A Musical Legend
Ziggy Marley is an active environmentalist but was all smiles when he got a tour of the garage. Ziggy was there to pick up his late father, Bob Marley’s, 1980 Mercedes SL500 after the team restored it to its full glory.
Another famous celebrity appearance was the Queen of The Dark or Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. The crew was beyond excited to have such a stunning legend in their shop! Did you know there was one celebrity who is banned from walking in the garage doors regardless of what Danny thinks!
A Motley Dilemma
Thanks to his father, Danny met a lot of celebrities and even considers the lead singer, Vince Neil of Motley Crue in his inner circle. With his rock n roll style and attitude, we can see how they would get along, but for once the shop boys had to voice their opinions and concerns.
Neil has been arrested several times for domestic assault and violence against women. Employees Horny Mike and The Doc made it clear they did not want him in the shop and urged Danny to distance himself from the friendship. One thing’s for sure, Danny is always going to do his own thing and he wants everyone to know about it!
FACT: Danny Koker Voted For Trump
During the 2016 election, Koker became a loud supporter of candidate President Donald Trump. Koker believed Trump was focused on small business owners and his presidency would help with taxes.
Danny wasn’t worried that his business would be impacted by voicing his controversial opinions. He felt it was more important, to be honest about his political beliefs than have a neutral business environment. Danny may have a tough exterior but this one thing makes him sensitive and emotional.
FACT: Losing His Father Was Devastating
In 2008, Daniel Koker Sr. passed away and Danny’s world fell apart. The two men were extremely close and Danny took time to process his grief. He found it helpful to be distracted and get involved in more projects at work.
One thing Danny couldn’t do or touch was his father’s personal car collection. Recently he has opened up that he is beginning to look at the collection but it is still hard and makes him emotional. The origin of Danny’s father’s collection has been building for generations, and will continue in Danny's lifetime.
Will Danny's Dream Car Ever Be Real?
Even if fans are skeptical, Danny really does love cars! He has one particular dream purchase that he would love to add to his father's collection, but it may never happen! One time, Danny came so close he couldn't believe he let it slip through his fingers!
For Danny, his dream car is a 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV. He dreams of owning one and restoring it to its full glory at his shop. One time Danny came really close to buying his dream car but the deal, unfortunately, fell through! One thing Danny can believe in, he's got a bright future and we can't wait to see what else he'll do, or say, next!