Danny, “The Count” Koker, started as the car expert on another reality show, Pawn Stars. Viewers loved him, so The History Channel gave him his very own program—Counting Cars. Watching the show will give you a peek into his Las Vegas garage called Count’s Kustoms, as well as his process of buying, fixing, and flipping rare cars to make a profit. Like many reality TV series, there are aspects of the show that are staged. For example, the “random” car buys aren’t really as spontaneous. So what else is staged about this popular TV show?
The Parts Are On Hand
On car TV shows, it isn’t uncommon to have custom parts available on-site. Counting Cars is not an exception. It does not always have a part on hand, though. Since the show uses rare parts, it can take days or weeks to look for a particular part. However, viewers would get bored if they had to wait weeks for a project to finish, so the show relies on editing magic to make everything appear seamless and quick.
The Parts Are On Hand
Sticking To A Tight Budget
Since he argues about prices a lot and, if needed, walks away from cars, Danny Koker has become known for being a stickler when it comes to money. Nevertheless, he is also known to cost the company a lot due to his complex and wild restorations. So, is money really important to him or not? It seems as if the latter is correct. You would think that he is keeping to a budget, but he actually is not. The show covers the cost of the restoration or refurbishment of rare cars.
Sticking To A Tight Budget
The Shop Only Has A Few Employees
Car shows tend to make it seem like only a few people are working at the shop. This is true for Counting Cars as well. More often than not, restoration projects show only film a handful of people working on the cars, so viewers will likely assume that not many people work on them. The truth is that big support staff is involved in projects. They just don’t get air-time!
The Shop Only Has A Few Employees
Talking To Car Owners At Random
Counting Cars often show Koker riding around, checking out cars, and offering random people deals. However, this is not always how things are in reality. Scouting around often takes longer, and the team does a lot of research before approaching a potential client. Basically, they want cars that can be good remodels and people that have “tough luck” stories. This is understandable, though. The show wants viewers to tune in, making sure that their episodes are as interesting as possible.
Talking To Car Owners At Random
Enhancements Come As A Surprise
Like many car enthusiasts, Koker, together with the team, restores the vehicles which go through the shop. Aside from that, they add on enhancements like fancy rims and a new paint job. This happens without informing the customer and at no cost. However, the “surprises” are not really spontaneous, although they might look like they are. The team talks about them at length before doing anything with a vehicle, and they bring up changes with the client.
Enhancements Come As A Surprise
Humble Beginnings
In the show, Koker is depicted as someone with humble beginnings. He may be a down-to-earth guy and a laid-back dude in general, but his childhood was not that modest. He grew up with his father Danny Sr. playing the piano for the likes of Johnny Cash and Pat Boone. Needless to say, Danny Sr. made enough money that allowed him to pursue his car hobby, which Danny Jr. then inherited.
Humble Beginnings
Money Problems
If you watch the show, you have probably noticed that Koker and his team often talk about the need to flip cars, making it sound like the money is badly needed. However, the truth is that there is no risk for the show to go under. As a matter of fact, Count’s Kustoms is very much in the green. Due to the show’s success, they bring home big checks. Aside from that, Koker’s restaurant and tattoo parlor also earn him money.
Money Problems
Calling The Shots
On Counting Cars, Koker doesn’t look like the boss. Aside from that, the series makes it seem as if Kevin Mack runs the show. As the Count’s Kustoms, he discusses a project with Koker and lays out the budget for it. Koker pretends that he doesn’t have much input, but he is also the show’s producer, aside from owning the place. So, in reality, he is the one who calls the shots.
Calling The Shots
Random Visits By Celebs
There are several celebrity appearances on the show, including Koker working on the car of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Country rocker Andy Ross also came to Count’s Kustoms for enhancements. You might have already guessed that these casual celeb instances were not random. As a matter of fact, the show asks celebrities to come on the show, commonly for a promotional deal. Allegedly, these personalities earn money out of their appearances!
Random Visits By Celebs
Crazy Crew Members
Reality TV has a reputation for showing some crazy characters, which is the case for this show. You can find plenty of nutty individuals in the garage. For example, Mike Henry or Horn Mike is an airbrush artist who sports horns on his bandanas. However, people who have come to the shop when they are not filming say that those you see on the show are basically just characters!
Crazy Crew Members
Limited Time In Flipping A Car
We should remember that Counting Cars is a reality TV show, so drama in some form is to be expected. The series usually shows employees working on a restoration project with a crazy time limit. These time limits are not real and are only added to create more drama in the episode. It is impossible to fix up a car within just one afternoon.
Limited Time In Flipping A Car
Selling Off Cars Is Hard
Viewers can easily see Koker’s attachment to his rare cars. Perhaps this has to do with how the unit wound up in his hands, how much work it took to restore the unit or its historical significance. The show, however, makes it seem as if it is hard for him to sell them off. We shouldn’t forget that Koker is a huge celeb that has a variety of cars. With his connections, it is impossible that he finds selling a car hard.
Selling Off Cars Is Hard
Anti-Environmentalist Stance
Like many gearheads, Koker isn’t really keen on the environmental rules and regulations imposed on vehicles. On Counting Cars, it is a common theme where Koker complains about exchanging a classic part for something more modern to meet regulations. It seems as if he likes ranting about environmentalism and how politicians like to play the game. He claims that people should not take his statements all that seriously. Perhaps he is overdoing it to appeal to motorhead viewers!
Anti-Environmentalist Stance
Scott Jones Leaves In Dramatic Fashion
Scott Jones was part of the regular cast on the show from the first two seasons. Since he was the shop’s money manager, he had a major role in Count’s Kustoms. However, by the time the third season rolled in, Jones had already left, and on a weird note at that. There were rumors that he was embezzling money, but actually, he left to open his own garage. Koker just wanted a more dramatic story to tell.
Scott Jones Leaves In Dramatic Fashion
Knowing The Cars’ Origins
When they work on a car, the team normally goes into the vehicle’s backstory. They might sound knowledgeable, but the stories they tell are not always true. In one episode, they say that they stumbled upon an abandoned Chevy that was in bad shape. However, the truth came out online. Fans learned about the actual origins of the car. Sadly, Counting Cars tend to tweak origin stories to make them more appealing and interesting to viewers.
Knowing The Cars’ Origins
Genuine Shop Conversations
Koker and his team have been working together for several years, so their conversations should sound easy and friendly. However, that is not the case. Conversations between castmates are mostly staged, even the jokes and arguments. Sadly, these bits are edited in a way that it all sounds too clean. Because of this, the cast tends to seem insincere. Since these bits are all pieced together, it doesn’t sound natural.
Genuine Shop Conversations
Working On Multiple Projects At The Same Time
Counting Cars often show Koker and his team working on multiple projects simultaneously. Going into detail about every one of the cars, they make it look like they give each one the same level of attention and care. This is particularly hard to believe as they show that each project is done within one day. You probably know that this part is not true at all. They spend at least one week on each project.
Working On Multiple Projects At The Same Time
Koker Is An Expert On Cars
Perhaps you thought that since Koker is on a reality TV show about cars, he probably has some knowledge about vehicles. If you watch the show, you might think that he knows everything about this topic. However, in reality, he actually does not. He is definitely passionate about cars and is more knowledgeable about them than the average person is, but he is not a car expert. In addition, viewers have pointed out that Koker has shared inaccurate facts before.
Koker Is An Expert On Car
Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed
You will see all the customers enjoying themselves in the shop, smiling and laughing on the show. The workers are also always depicted as professionals that deliver as promised. But, as they say… not everything on reality TV is real. Reading the reviews of the shop is fascinating. Many customers actually rant about the shop’s poor service. A lot of these people were not happy that their vehicle did not get featured on the show.
Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed
Barely Any Negotiation Takes Place
On Counting Cars, Koker can be seen driving down the road and then finding a car. Then, he is shown negotiating with the car’s owner and throwing out a really low bid. For some reason, that bid gets accepted. All of this is done with little negotiation. Needless to say, this was staged, and the car owner had been scouted before the cameras started rolling. Thus, the deal was already done even before Koker spotted the car on the roadside.
Barely Any Negotiation Takes Place
Roli Szabo’s Trailer Was Stolen
If you work at a shop with rare parts and cars, make sure you close up carefully for the night. Shop detailer Roli Szabo admitted there are times when this is not easy to do. For example, in early 2017, a custom-painted trailer of his was stolen. What’s worse is that high-end detailing equipment was inside the trailer. The equipment was worth thousands of dollars, and he used the tools for regular projects and the show.
Roli Szabo’s Trailer Was Stolen
Joseph Frontiera Used Company Money For Himself
In 2016, Joshua Frontiera allegedly used company funds for expenses that were not connected to the shop. The former employee of Count’s Kustom was said to have spent the money on paying for a Range Rover and personal flight tickets. Aside from those things, he was also accused of not paying the shop’s income taxes on time, which he was supposed to do. In the end, the shop got fined heavily for it. Oops.
Joseph Frontiera Used Company Money For Himself
The Cameras Are Rolling All The Time
Filming a reality show means the cameras have to be rolling all the time. For those that work at Count’s Kustoms, everything they do is recorded on tape. All that footage goes through editing, but only a fraction gets shown on the air. “As far as production is concerned, they’ve gotta keep rolling on all this stuff, or they’re going to miss something vital on an episode,” Koker explained in an interview.
The Cameras Are Rolling All The Time
Robbers Broke In Joseph “Doc” Duggan’s House
The shop’s resident tech genius Joseph “Doc” Duggan ran into some bad luck in 2015. He returned home one day and found the door unlocked. His house was essentially empty after he had been robbed. The culprits left him some clothes and a couple of dishes. Oddly enough, the robbers decided to run the plates through the dishwasher before leaving. There was also evidence that they had used the bathroom.
Robbers Broke In Joseph “Doc” Duggan’s House
Shop Tours
Fans are already excited to get an up-close and personal look at rare and custom cars, so we are sure that they are even more thrilled when they get the chance to do it at a famous shop. But, sadly, the tours at Count’s Kustoms are not as good as one might expect of a shop on TV. According to reviews, people were disappointed by poor customer service, pricey coffee, and the garage’s location. Allegedly, Count’s Kustoms is situated in a not-so-safe part of town.
Shop Tours
Striking Deals Is Harder
Thanks to the show’s success, business is also booming for Count’s Kustoms. It seems fame does pay off. However, according to Koker, people are more familiar with the show now and try to rake money. As a result, it has become harder to negotiate deals with clients, unlike in the past, when he could just drive up to a client to discuss prices. We are sure that things have become more difficult for him.
Striking Deals Is Harder
Danny’s Nickname
Before Danny Koker became the owner of Count’s Kustoms and the star of Counting Cars, he would sport a vampire getup and host a horror show called Saturday Fright at the Movies. His moniker was “Count Cool Rider,” and he would appear in a cape. Speaking in a pretty bad Transylvanian accent, he would introduce the movie for the evening. He decided to just stick with the nickname.
Danny’s Nickname
Selling Personal Cars
Everyone knows that Danny Kroker is a car lover, and together with his dad, spent plenty of time in the garage. Now that Danny owns a shop, it is natural that he doesn’t find it easy to let go of cars from his prized collection. He once shared how difficult it was for him. “I feel like I put a piece of me in it,” he revealed. We are sure collectors would agree with him.
Selling Personal Cars
Dream Car
If you had enough money to buy your “dream car,” what kind of car would you buy? Like many other people, Danny Koker also has his own “dream car.” He spends a lot of time around cool and rare cars, but his dream car is a 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV. He almost got his wish granted, but unfortunately, the deal fell through. The shop owner is still on the lookout for his dream car.
Dream Car
His Late Father’s Cars
One of the biggest influences in Danny Koker’s life was his father, so when his old man died, the reality TV star found it hard to go through his dad’s personal car collection. Speaking to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Danny Koker said that he’s “just now starting to dig out a couple of the very personal vehicles that were my father’s that now belongs to me, that I haven’t been able to think about, or look at, or touch for a long time.”
His Late Father’s Cars
Paul Sr. Wanted His Son Out Of American Chopper
Another reality shows that we are talking about is American Chopper. Paul Sr. indeed wanted Paul Jr. out of the show. However, the older Teutul did a bit of research and eventually found a few loopholes in their contract with TLC. As a result, he was able to get the younger Teutul off the show! Not only that, Paul Sr. realized he could get his son to leave their business, Orange County Choppers, by buying him out.
Paul Sr. Wanted His Son Out Of American Chopper
Filing A Million-Dollar Lawsuit Against His Son
Believe it or not, Paul Sr. sued his own son Paul Jr. for a million dollars. Perhaps the older man thought that his son would back down and leave their business after this. However, Paul Jr. had no plans of taking this lying down and hired his own legal team to fight back. Paul Sr. lost the case in the end. This means Paul Jr. is still part-owner of Orange County Choppers.
Filing A Million-Dollar Lawsuit Against His Son
Paul Sr. Didn’t Go To His Son’s Wedding
Paul Jr. and Rachael Biester dated for two years before they got married in 2010. The two met while they were filming American Chopper, and they immediately fell in love. Unfortunately, their wedding happened around Paul Sr., and Paul Jr. fought it out in court. The older man decided not to go to the wedding because of the timing and the feud. We are pretty sure he regrets this, though nothing can be done about it now.
Paul Sr. Didn’t Go To His Son’s Wedding
Things Became More Difficult
Things only got worse after Paul Sr. lost the case. As a matter of fact, he fired Paul Jr. However, TLC threatened to ax the show if Paul Jr. was not re-hired. The network said that both of them should be in the show as stated in their contracts. The older man still refused to re-hire his son, so the network decided to file a notice of default. Isn’t it crazy to think that American Chopper almost ended because of a silly feud?
Things Became More Difficult
Ending Their Work Relationship
Hoping to make amends, the two agreed to quit being business partners. The lawsuit must have been the last straw. Paul Jr. left the show and started his own design firm to keep the family together. Surprisingly, this worked out well for the father and son. TLC agreed to leave the show’s main cast, but he had to be his dad’s independent consultant. Paul Jr. did this for a time.
Ending Their Work Relationship
His Business Really Took Off
Leaving Orange County Choppers to his dad seems to be a great decision after all. Paul Jr. and his business have seen plenty of success. In fact, the video game company Blizzard was one of his clients. In addition, he was commissioned to design a few bikes with a World of Warcraft theme. Paul Jr. has also been hired to work on a few big movies which require motorcycle expertise. So it looks like stepping out of his father’s shadow was the right thing to do for the Southern California native.
His Business Really Took Off
Bad Habits Passed Onto His Children
Paul Sr. definitely had the biggest personality among the cast members of American Chopper, but he had his demons as well. He had been an alcoholic for 15 years before checking into rehab. Even though he hated it, he did it to save his marriage. He got sober later in life, but he had passed on the bad habits he had to his children by then. Finally, at 16 years old, Paul Jr. checked into rehab.
Bad Habits Passed Onto His Children
Almost A Happy Family Again
Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. may have parted ways amicably, but their relationship did not magically fix itself. It was hard for the young man to allow his overpowering dad to come back into his life. Then, in 2015, Paul Jr. welcomed his first child. People were glad to see a photo of Paul Sr. together with his grandchild. The baby boy was named Hudson. If you are wondering when he will take his first motorcycle ride, we don’t think it will take that long. Choppers run in the kid’s blood, after all.
Almost A Happy Family Again
Rumors Of Orange County Choppers Closing Down
In 2012, the drama finally came to an end. Country Music Television released a spinoff of American Chopper, but it did not receive much attention. A rumor was going around about Orange County Choppers closing down if it lost more money. As it turns out, the rumor was exaggerated. In a radio interview, Paul Sr. clarified that their shop was not closing but just relocating. Not long after that, it was announced the show would have new episodes in 2018.
Rumors Of Orange County Choppers Closing Down
The Reboot Almost Did Not Happen
Fans were delighted to find out that the show was getting a revival. Little did they know that the reboot almost did not happen. While the family and the team were fine, it was not the case between the family and the producer. In the past, the Teutuls butted heads with Craig Piligian. He shared, “It wasn’t very much fun, and a lot of bad blood was spilled at the beginning of it all. And now everything’s great.”
The Reboot Almost Did Not Happen
Sued For Fraud
The show has come to an end, but Paul Teutul’s legal woes remain. In 2018, he was sued for fraud. The report said, “Teutul tried to change their 51/49 percent ownership deal (benefiting Derbyshire) to a 50/50 deal. Derbyshire had agreed to fund the project up to $3 million at that time. “His legal team responded to the accusation with: “Mr. Derbyshire’s interpretation of said events is without merit and with the timing of Orange County Choppers much-anticipated return to television tomorrow night the timing is very suspect of once again untrue allegations.”
Sued For Fraud
Filing For Bankruptcy
A month after the lawsuit was filed against Paul Teutul, he filed for bankruptcy. His debt amounted to millions of dollars, including one million on his mortgage. According to him, he makes $15,070 in a month and uses up almost all of it. He also claimed that he was bad at organizing his finances. The report said, “Teutul filed paperwork claiming that he owes close to 50 creditors $1,070,893.44 and that he was only worth $1,801,729.”
Filing For Bankruptcy
More Lawsuits
The American Chopper team got sued fairly often. After Cody Connelly quite a few seasons into the show, he sued them for continuing to use his likeness to sell products. Winning $250,000 in court is not easy, which is probably why he agreed to a settlement for an undisclosed amount. After leaving Orange County Choppers, he went to V-Force Customs and teamed up with Vincent DiMartino, his former colleague at OCC.
More Lawsuits
Taking Credit For Another Person’s Idea
Orange County Chopper and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation teamed up to build a wheelchair-accessible chopper. It was a great idea, but Chris Tavantzis sued them. According to the polio sufferer, he had pitched that idea to the crew two years before. The trade show happened in 2008, while the episode was broadcast in 2010. Tavantzis said it was bad enough that polio has taken his physical abilities away. Four years later, the case was thrown out.
Taking Credit For Another Person’s Idea
Mikey Is Busy
Paul Sr. has another son on American Chopper aside from Paul Jr. The older man hired his son Mikey to do maintenance duty, but he often played peacemaker on the show. A fan-favorite, Mikey was the middleman for many years, but he got fed up and left the company. Unfortunately, the producers found it impossible to fill the void that he left. Since then, he has discussed things with his family, and now, he is busy working on a “top-secret” project!
Mikey Is Busy
Shaq’s Chopper
In 2014, a pleasant face appeared on American Chopper. The show came back for a one-night event to build a custom chopper for none other than Shaquille O’Neal! Of course, the hardest part of this was building a big enough chopper to support the basketball legend’s huge frame. However, the NBA icon was thrilled with the new vehicle. He said that riding a motorcycle was something he had always wanted to do, but all the other motorbikes were too small for him.
Shaq’s Chopper
Mikey’s Passion For Art
After Mikey got tired of family affairs, he left American Chopper to follow his passion for art, which had always been his dream. Working at Orange County Choppers has taught him how to run a business. After he quit, he opened his own art gallery. Aside from running it, he contributed and sold his own art. However, he closed down the gallery in 2014 to make his life simpler. In addition, he wanted to concentrate on fixing the relationship between him and the rest of his family.
Mikey’s Passion For Art
Vincent DiMartino’s Own Success
A month after Vincent DiMartino started working at Orange County Choppers, he found out that a reality show would be filming the garage. While he became a minor celebrity because of American Chopper, he eventually left the garage to establish V-Force Customs. He may have started his own shop, but he has not forgotten where he came from. In American Chopper’s final seasons, he made an appearance to ask for advice from Paul Jr. Clearly; the two have remained good friends.
Vincent DiMartino’s Own Success
Looking Back
It was truly a dream come true for Vincent to have his own successful garage. However, he acknowledges that it would not have been possible if he hadn’t gotten any help. He came back to lend Paul Jr. a hand on American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior. The new show ran for two seasons before The Discovery Chanel axed it. At any rate, DiMartino juggling his duties is still impressive.
Looking Back
Orange County Choppers Was Not Meant To Be The Focus
The Teutul family and Orange County Choppers were not originally the focus of American Chopper. It was the show’s producer who decided to focus on OCC, a decision he made only a night before filming. It was really last minute, so Discovery Channel had no idea until it was too late. “I changed all the tickets, changed the crew, and on Thursday we were shooting the pilot for American Chopper. We didn’t initially tell Discovery about the switch. It was just a gut feeling,” he said,
Orange County Choppers Was Not Meant To Be The Focus
Attempt At Crowdsourcing The Show
After the plug was pulled on American Chopper, the Teutul family felt there was still some unfinished business. However, they had no funds to produce a program, so they decided to try Patreon. Hoping to crowdsource a new show, they explained that they were having financial problems. So instead, the family promised to have fans appear on the new show and interview them if the campaign was successful. They also said that this would give them more creative freedom.
Attempt At Crowdsourcing The Show
Love For Animals
In 2009, Paul Teutul revealed a secret – he loves animals! Talking to People, he shared that he had “two dogs, Marty and Gus … plus, 5 miniature horses, 2 miniature donkeys, 2 alpacas, 2 baby doll sheep, 5 goats, and 2 highlander cows.” Aside from that, he likes spreading love and opens his house to children in the neighborhood so that the kids can play with the animals! “They love the animals. We all do,” he said. Tell us that isn’t the most adorable thing that you have heard.
Love For Animals
A New Kind Of Reality-TV
Before American Chopper, not many reality TV series followed the lives of regular people, so the show was different from others at that time. Viewers tuned in for the drama, rough language, and fighting. While the family disagreed a lot, it was not scripted what people saw on the show actually happened in real life. Many networks have tried to copy the show, but none has captured the same magic.
A New Kind Of Reality-TV
Paul Jr. Is Grateful For Getting Fired
After getting fired from Orange County Choppers, Paul Jr. had the chance to start a business. He said that it was one of the best things that have happened to him. Needless to say, he was furious during that time. As a matter of fact, he sued his dad and won. However, in retrospect, he shared, “And that turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened to me at the time. It just took a while to realize that.”
Paul Jr. Is Grateful For Getting Fired
Paul Jr. Working On A Ninja Turtles Movie
After he launched his business, he has worked on many cool projects. For example, he got the chance to do some work for Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. He was hired to design a bike by producer Michael Bay, who was really impressed by Paul Jr.’s work and commissioned another bike. Perhaps the best part of this is that Paul Jr. worked on their designs at the last possible minute! He only thought of the designs when he got to work. It was the first time the filmmaker let an artist work despite not having any concept on hand.
Paul Jr. Working On A Ninja Turtles Movie
No Need To Create Drama
Nowadays, it is hard to know which parts of a reality TV show are real and which parts are not. Although American Chopper had a lot of drama, at least it was real. The Teutuls did not get along well, and they fought even in front of the camera. If you wonder how you can tell the drama was not scripted and made up, check out the lawsuits they have filed against each other.
No Need To Create Drama
Attempt At Starting A Restaurant
Paul Sr. tried to start a restaurant in 2011. Together with his business partner Carlos Urbaneja, Paul Sr. pitched the idea to some investors. They managed to open one restaurant, which has a 2.7-star rating on Google. Surprisingly, it is still open. A reviewer wrote, “Place is a joke, needs new management clearly. Just seems like they are not concerned with making money or customer appreciation what’s so ever. Food is basic and unappetizing, beer lines are dirty, everything just needs an update.”
Attempt At Starting A Restaurant
The Show Has Over 200 Episodes
During American Chopper’s original run, it had plenty of success. Having been on the air for ten years, the show has a total of 223 episodes. At the show’s peak, it drew in nearly four million viewers every week. Most Discovery Channel shows even find it hard to get more than a million viewers! A big part of the show’s success was the drama that the Teutuls provided. Towards the end of an episode, there is a teaser for the next one, which kept viewers coming back for more.
The Show Has Over 200 Episodes
Adapted To Video Games
How do you know you are popular among young people? Well, a video game adaptation is usually a tell-tale sign. During the early 2000s, Activision released the game “American Chopper.” Unfortunately, they also released another game – “American Chopper 2: Full Throttle”. We have no idea if it did well or what its plot was, though we find it fascinating that these games were produced in the first place. Who knows? Maybe there will be the third game in the future!
Adapted To Video Games
Paul Sr. Has Put His Farm On The Market
Sadly, Paul Teutul Sr. had a very rough year in 2018. Aside from getting sued for fraud, his house was foreclosed, he had to file for bankruptcy, and he needed to sell his 70-acre farm. We hope that things have turned around to some extent after the reboot. Initially, the farm was listed for $2.89 million, but it has been lowered to $2.49 million. Here’s to hoping that the next years would be better for him!
Paul Sr. Has Put His Farm On The Market