Las Vegas: Shelby, Counts Kustoms & WelderUp Car Garage Tour

The best part of this four-hour tour is its mix of famous Las Vegas sights and serious car culture. You move from the Strip and the Welcome sign to Shelby American, WelderUp, and Count’s Kustoms, seeing everything from racing legends to wild rat rods. When available, the ride itself is a custom Count’s Kustoms minibus.

I like the variety of the stops and the chance to see major collections without arranging several separate visits. I also like the strong guides, with past tours led by Mike, Susie, Christian, and Adeena, who added Vegas stories, car facts, humor, and help with photos. The main thing to consider is that this is a display and sightseeing tour, not a guaranteed chance to meet Danny Koker, Steve Darnell, or the television cast, and you may not see active workshop areas.

Key points

• Shelby American: See famous Cobras, GT500s, the Shelby 1000, and other cars tied to the company’s racing past.
• A custom ride when available: The tour may use a bus built by Count’s Kustoms, giving the day a proper automotive start.
• Three car-focused stops: WelderUp, Count’s Kustoms, and Shelby American each offer a different look at custom work and performance cars.
• A quick Las Vegas sampler: The route includes Strip sightseeing and a photo stop at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.
• A $20 shop voucher: Your ticket includes credit for souvenirs, clothing, or collectibles at Count’s Kustoms.
• A guide can make the difference: Strong guides have added local stories and kept the four-hour schedule lively.

Why this tour works for car fans

This is not simply a trip to one television-famous garage. It is a compact Las Vegas outing built around three different sides of the car world.

At Shelby American, you see speed, racing heritage, and polished American performance. WelderUp takes a rougher route, turning discarded parts and old machinery into rat rods. Count’s Kustoms brings the television connection, custom motorcycles, restored cars, and Danny Koker’s personal style.

That range is the reason I think the tour works better than its title might suggest. You do not spend four hours looking at one collection. You get a quick look at classic American design, high-performance Shelby machinery, handmade oddities, and Las Vegas sights along the way.

The tour costs $115 per person. That is not a bargain if you only want to browse the Count’s Kustoms showroom. It makes more sense if you would otherwise pay for separate transport, entrance fees, and time at three automotive attractions. Transportation, entrance fees, and the $20 Count’s Kustoms gift-shop voucher are included.

Starting on Mystère Dreams Avenue

The meeting point is at the benches furthest west on Mystère Dreams Avenue. Arrive ready to board rather than expecting a long orientation. The tour is conducted in English, and the vehicle may be the customized Count’s Kustoms bus when one is available.

That bus is part of the fun. It gives the outing a stronger connection to the Count’s Kustoms brand than an ordinary sightseeing coach would. Still, the wording matters: the custom bus is not guaranteed for every departure. If the regular vehicle is used, the attractions remain the main reason to book.

The route begins with about 20 minutes of Las Vegas Strip sightseeing. This helps put the car stops into the wider setting of the city. You get a look at the famous resort corridor before turning toward the automotive side of Las Vegas.

Past guides have included Mike, Susie, Christian, and Adeena. The strongest part of the guiding is not only car knowledge. It is the added commentary about Las Vegas, the helpful handling of group photos, and the ability to answer questions while keeping the route moving. A good guide matters here because much of the enjoyment comes from context rather than from simply standing in front of parked cars.

The Welcome sign photo stop

The stop at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign lasts about 15 minutes. That sounds brief, but it is enough time for the classic photograph if the group stays organized.

The sign dates from 1959 and remains one of the city’s easiest symbols to recognize. You are not here for a long guided talk or a museum visit. This is a quick photo stop, and the express security arrangement helps keep the day on schedule.

I like having this stop included because it saves you from arranging a separate visit. It also breaks up the drive before the longer automotive visits. Keep your camera ready, and remember that flash photography is not allowed during the activity.

The sign can be especially useful if this is your first Las Vegas visit and you want one traditional photo without giving up a large part of your day. If you have already visited it, the stop may feel less important, but it remains a practical part of the route.

Shelby American and the Ford vs Ferrari connection

Shelby American is the most polished and performance-focused part of the day. The visit lasts about 40 minutes and includes a guided element, giving you more structure than a quick showroom walk.

The collection includes models such as the Shelby 1000, 427 Cobra, GT500s, and other rare or historic vehicles. The cars reflect Carroll Shelby’s place in American racing and performance design. You are looking at machines with a clear competition purpose, not only custom styling for display.

The Ford vs Ferrari connection adds interest for anyone who knows the film or the racing story behind it. Even if you are not a serious motorsport fan, the Shelby name gives the stop a clear focus: power, racing, and high-performance engineering.

This is probably the easiest stop to appreciate without watching Counting Cars or Vegas Rat Rods. The cars have their own appeal, and the 40-minute visit gives you enough time to look closely. The tradeoff is that the stop feels more like a formal collection than a working garage. If you want sparks, tools, and builders at work, WelderUp is closer to that idea, though even there workshop access is not guaranteed.

WelderUp and the rough edge of rat rods

WelderUp offers a very different mood. Steve Darnell and his team are known for turning junk and discarded parts into unusual rat rods, the custom vehicles associated with Vegas Rat Rods.

You have about 30 minutes for a self-guided visit, photos, and shopping. The display is less about factory-perfect finishes and more about imagination. The appeal is seeing how rough materials, strange shapes, and mechanical parts can become a finished vehicle with attitude.

This is the stop where the phrase not your average customization shop makes sense. WelderUp is built around creativity and personality rather than clean showroom presentation. It suits you if you enjoy clever fabrication, odd details, and cars that do not look like anything from a standard dealership.

A practical warning: the tour does not promise a full view of active work areas. The visit can focus on previous vehicle projects and display spaces. On some departures, Steve Darnell may be present, but you should not book on the assumption that he will be available for photographs or autographs. One past visit included time with him, but that kind of meeting depends on the day and the shop’s schedule.

The space can also feel small, dark, or crowded. That may limit photography and make it harder to study every vehicle. Still, the short visit works because the cars are so different from the Shelby collection.

Count’s Kustoms, the main attraction for television fans

Count’s Kustoms is the final major stop and usually the one that brings people to this tour. You get about 40 minutes for self-guided viewing, photographs, and shopping.

The collection includes custom cars and motorcycles connected with Danny Koker’s work. Featured examples include the Superfly 1971 Cadillac, a 1932 Ford Hot Wheels car, a GT350 Fastback, and a 1981 Corvette. These vehicles show the range of the shop, from classic American cars to highly styled custom builds.

If you watch Counting Cars, this stop has clear emotional appeal. You can connect the vehicles and shop brand with the television world. If you do not watch the show, the cars still offer a lively look at restoration and customization.

The biggest gap between expectation and reality comes here. Count’s Kustoms is not a guaranteed set visit, backstage tour, or meet-and-greet. You may see the collection and showroom without seeing Danny, Kevin, or other cast members. You also may not see the working areas where cars are being built.

That does not make the stop pointless, but it changes the value. Think of it as visiting a famous custom-car collection and shop display, not entering a television production. Some people find the retail side too prominent, especially if they expected more workshop access. The $20 gift-shop voucher softens that issue if you want a shirt, collectible, or other souvenir, but it does not replace a cast meeting.

How the four hours are divided

The schedule is full but not frantic. The rough timing looks like this:

• About 20 minutes of Strip sightseeing
• About 15 minutes at the Welcome sign
• About 40 minutes at one photo, shopping, and self-guided stop
• About 40 minutes at the guided Shelby American visit
• About 30 minutes at WelderUp
• About 40 minutes at Count’s Kustoms
• Transport time between locations

The exact order or individual stops can change, and a stop may be canceled because of circumstances outside the operator’s control. That matters because shop schedules, filming, special events, or other operating conditions can affect what you see.

Several parts of the route could easily use more time. If you want to inspect every car closely, shop for souvenirs, and take careful photographs, 30 or 40 minutes can pass quickly. The benefit of the short schedule is that you see more of Las Vegas in one outing. The cost is that you will not study each collection at a museum pace.

What the guides add

The guide can make or break this outing. The strongest guide reports describe safe driving, humor, local knowledge, and useful help with photographs. Christian was praised for being friendly and attentive, while Susie was valued for answering questions and explaining the city. Mike was remembered for combining car information with jokes and extra Las Vegas stops. Adeena also received strong praise for her city knowledge.

That pattern tells me what to look for: book this as a guided Las Vegas day, not as a simple shuttle. The guide’s commentary fills the travel time and links the attractions together. A quiet driver who only handles transport would leave the tour feeling much thinner.

The route may also include interesting sights beyond the listed stops, depending on the guide and the day. Do not count on extra stops, but appreciate them if they happen. The group setting can add to the fun, especially when the guide keeps everyone moving and the people aboard share the same interest in cars.

Who should book it

I would recommend this for:

• Counting Cars fans who understand that the visit may be limited to collections and public areas
• People who want to see Shelby American, WelderUp, and Count’s Kustoms in one half-day
• Couples or families looking for a car-themed Las Vegas activity beyond casinos and shows
• First-time visitors who want the Welcome sign and Strip sightseeing included
• Anyone who values a guide’s local stories and does not want to arrange several rides

I would be more cautious if your main goal is meeting Danny Koker or Steve Darnell. You might get a photograph or brief encounter if someone is available, but it is not promised.

I would also think twice if you need a detailed technical tour of active restoration bays. The stops are centered on cars, collections, showrooms, and self-guided browsing. Workshop viewing can be limited.

Practical details before you reserve

The tour lasts four hours and costs $115 per person. Transportation and admission are included, along with the $20 Count’s Kustoms shop voucher. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you keep your plans flexible.

Wear something comfortable for getting on and off the bus and walking through the stops. Plan your photographs in advance because flash photography is not allowed. Keep some room in your schedule after the tour if you like shopping, since the included voucher is tied to the Count’s Kustoms gift shop.

The individual stops may change or be canceled for reasons outside the operator’s control. That is particularly important for a tour connected with working shops and television brands. Go for the overall mix, not for one exact person or one guaranteed vehicle.

Should you book the Count’s Kustoms car tour?

Book it if you want a well-packed half-day that combines Las Vegas sights with three very different car collections. The best value comes from the combination of transport, entrance fees, guide commentary, Shelby American, WelderUp, Count’s Kustoms, and the gift-shop voucher.

Skip it if you expect a behind-the-scenes television tour or a guaranteed celebrity meeting. For most car fans, the strongest parts are the Shelby performance cars, WelderUp’s inventive rat rods, and the variety created by visiting all three locations. Go with realistic expectations, and this becomes a lively, useful addition to a Las Vegas trip.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is at the benches furthest west on Mystère Dreams Avenue.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including transportation and visits to the listed stops.

Is the custom Count’s Kustoms bus guaranteed?

No. The tour includes a ride in a Count’s Kustoms customized bus when available.

What attractions are included?

The route includes Las Vegas Strip sightseeing, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, Shelby American, WelderUp, and Count’s Kustoms.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour has a live English-speaking guide.

Does the tour include a meeting with Danny Koker or other television cast members?

No meeting is guaranteed. You visit the car collections and public shop areas, but cast availability depends on the day.

What does the $20 voucher cover?

The voucher can be used at the Count’s Kustoms Gift Shop for souvenirs, apparel, and collectibles.