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

Las Vegas has a few car garages that have become attractions in their own right. This four-hour outing links Shelby American’s racing icons with WelderUp’s wild rat rods and Danny Koker’s collection at Count’s Kustoms, plus a photo stop at the famous Las Vegas sign.

I like that the tour combines three very different car stops rather than making the day all about one TV shop. I also like the guides’ role: Mike, Susie, Christian, and Adeena have all led tours, and visitors have praised the guides’ Vegas stories and sense of humor. One caveat: a visit to the shops does not guarantee a meeting with a TV personality or access to the working areas.

The highlights at a glance

• Count’s Kustoms transport, when available: The ride may be in a minibus customized by the shop, a fun opener for a tour built around custom cars.
• The 1959 Las Vegas sign: You get a dedicated 15-minute photo stop, with skip-the-line access advertised for the picture.
• Shelby American’s famous machinery: The collection includes cars such as the Shelby 1000, 427 Cobras, and GT500s.
• WelderUp’s rat rods: Steve Darnell’s shop turns discarded parts into custom vehicles, with a style far removed from Shelby’s polished racing heritage.
• Count’s Kustoms collection: Expect custom cars and motorcycles, including the Superfly 1971 Cadillac, a 1932 Ford Hot Wheels car, a GT350 Fastback, and an 1981 Corvette.
• A $20 gift-shop voucher: It is included in the $115 price, though it only adds value if you want something from the shop.

Four hours from the Strip to the garages

The tour starts at the benches furthest west on Mystère Dreams Avenue, near Treasure Island. The return is to the same spot, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from the car shops.

Transportation and entrance fees are included. The bus is customized by Count’s Kustoms when available, but the wording matters: the custom vehicle is not guaranteed. The tour begins with about 20 minutes of Strip sightseeing by bus. Treat this as a quick look from the road, not a full bus tour of Las Vegas. One past visitor found the view from the bus less than ideal, so save your expectations for the stops themselves.

The schedule allows about 15 minutes at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, then includes two 40-minute blocks before WelderUp. The schedule does not name those two blocks, but Shelby American is one of the featured stops. WelderUp gets about 30 minutes, followed by roughly 40 minutes at Count’s Kustoms. Driving time and any changes to the route can affect the rhythm, and individual stops may change or be canceled for reasons outside the operator’s control.

A quick pose at the Las Vegas sign

The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign has greeted visitors since 1959, and it remains one of the city’s most recognizable photo spots. The stop is short by design: about 15 minutes to take pictures and move on.

Skip-the-line access is advertised for the photo, a useful detail at a landmark where waiting can eat into your day. Still, this is a brief photo stop, not a guided history visit. If you want a long, unhurried session with several group and solo pictures, keep an eye on the time and be ready when the bus is due to leave.

Shelby American: racing history in metal

Shelby American brings the tour’s most direct connection to motorsport. The collection honors Carroll Shelby’s racing legacy and includes rare, historic cars, among them the Shelby 1000, 427 Cobras, and GT500s. The brand also has a link to the film Ford v Ferrari, which gives the stop extra appeal if you know the story of the rivalry and racing era behind it.

This is the place to look closely at design and engineering, not just count famous names. The cars offer a sharp contrast with the rough-edged, handmade creations at WelderUp. If your interest is mainly in Mustangs and classic performance cars, Shelby may be the strongest stop of the day.

The visit is not described as a private tour of every vehicle or a chance to meet staff. The listed schedule gives time to see the collection, take photos, and browse, but the exact format may vary. At around 40 minutes for one of the scheduled stops, you will want to focus on the cars that interest you most.

WelderUp: where junk becomes a rat rod

WelderUp is the tour’s most unconventional garage. Steve Darnell and his team are known for transforming discarded materials into distinctive rat rods, and the shop inspired the TV series Vegas Rat Rods. The vehicles are a long way from factory-perfect classics. Their appeal is in the bold shapes, unusual parts, and visible imagination behind each build.

You get about 30 minutes here for a look around, photos, and shopping. The shop’s slogan, Show Us Your Junk, sums up its approach: old material is a starting point, not a reason to give up on an idea. For many visitors, this is the stop where the craftsmanship feels most surprising.

Do not assume you will see the team at work or walk through every workshop area. The visit centers on the cars and the public-facing shop space. Steve Darnell has sometimes been available for photos, but appearances are not promised, and access can differ from one visit to another.

Count’s Kustoms: Danny Koker’s collection

Count’s Kustoms is the natural finale for fans of Counting Cars. Danny Koker’s shop displays custom cars and motorcycles, including the Superfly 1971 Cadillac, 1932 Ford Hot Wheels car, GT350 Fastback, and 1981 Corvette. The range gives you plenty to look at, whether your taste runs to muscle cars, custom paint, or unusual builds.

You have about 40 minutes to browse, take pictures, and visit the gift shop. The included $20 voucher can go toward souvenirs, clothing, or collectibles. It is a useful extra if you already plan to buy something, but it should not be treated as cash back or a discount on the tour itself.

Set realistic expectations about the working garage. This is not a guaranteed behind-the-scenes tour of the shop floor, and Danny or other cast members may not be there. Some people come chiefly hoping to meet the Count, so this point deserves plain talk: book for the cars and collections, not for a promised autograph or meet-and-greet. Past visitors have also found the shop smaller and more crowded than expected, and merchandise sizes may not always be available.

The guide can make the day

The cars are the reason to book, but the guide shapes the experience between them. Past guides have included Mike, Susie, Christian, and Adeena. The strongest praise has focused on guides who keep the ride entertaining, explain Las Vegas along the way, answer questions, and help the group stay organized at each stop.

That city context adds something the garages alone cannot provide. Several visitors appreciated hearing about Las Vegas beyond the car shops, and some guides have added other interesting stops when circumstances allowed. Those extras are not guaranteed, so treat them as a bonus rather than part of the planned route.

A guide can also help with practical details, such as taking a group photo or making sure everyone is ready to board. But guide names and personalities vary by departure. If meeting someone from a TV show is your main goal, a friendly and engaging guide cannot make up for the fact that cast appearances are not assured.

Is $115 a fair price?

At $115 per person, this is a specialty tour, not a budget way to get around Las Vegas. You are paying for four hours of transport, entrance fees, a guide, several distinct automotive stops, and the convenience of linking them in one outing. The $20 gift-shop voucher adds a concrete benefit if you will use it.

The value depends on how much you care about cars and the shows. A fan of Counting Cars, Vegas Rat Rods, or Shelby vehicles gets several themed stops in a single half-day. Someone who is only mildly curious about cars may find the time and price harder to justify, especially if they expected a workshop tour or personal access to the TV cast.

The tour’s strongest point is variety. Shelby American brings racing heritage, WelderUp brings experimental custom work, and Count’s Kustoms brings TV-era celebrity cars. That is more satisfying than spending the full outing in one showroom. The trade-off is limited time at each place: you get an overview, not a slow, detailed visit.

What to know before booking

The tour lasts four hours and has a live guide in English. Flash photography is not allowed. Stops can change or be canceled because of circumstances beyond the operator’s control, so keep your plans after the tour flexible if a particular stop is essential to your day.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the activity offers a reserve-now, pay-later option. Check the available starting times before choosing a departure. The meeting point is specific: find the benches furthest west on Mystère Dreams Avenue.

Should you book this car tour?

Book it if you want a lively half-day built around custom cars, racing history, and TV-famous garages, and if you are content to see the collections without a guaranteed cast appearance or workshop tour. The guide, the three different automotive styles, and the included shop voucher make the outing a solid fit for dedicated car fans.

Skip it if your main reason is meeting Danny Koker, watching active restoration work, or spending a long time at any one garage. This tour is best understood as a guided sampler: a quick sign photo, a handful of memorable cars, and a guide who can connect the stops to Las Vegas. That is a good deal for the right fan, but not a promise of backstage access.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

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

How much does it cost?

The listed price is $115 per person. A $20 voucher for Count’s Kustoms Gift Shop is included.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the benches furthest west on Mystère Dreams Avenue. The tour returns to the same location.

Is the Count’s Kustoms bus guaranteed?

No. The tour uses a bus customized by Count’s Kustoms when available, but that vehicle is not guaranteed.

Which car stops are included?

The featured stops are Shelby American, WelderUp, and Count’s Kustoms, along with a photo stop at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.

Will I meet Danny Koker or other people from the shows?

A meeting with Danny Koker or other cast members is not guaranteed. Their presence may vary.

What language is the tour guide?

The live guide speaks English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.