Ep 16. Bonneville Bound Part 1

Counting Cars is a reality series that focuses on Danny "The Count" Koker and his team of expert automotive mechanics as they restore classic cars to their former glory or fashion unique custom cars for lucky clients from their Las Vegas-based shop, Count's Kustoms. For the show's seventh season, the series followed Danny and his crew as they tackled new projects that tested their skills and creativity. One standout episode from the season is "Bonneville Bound Part 1," where Danny and his team set their sights on one of the most exciting events in the gearhead world: the Bonneville Speed Week.

The episode begins with Danny daydreaming about the Bonneville Salt Flats, a surreal landscape of pure white salt that stretches over 30,000 acres in northwestern Utah. For car enthusiasts, it's a legendary destination that has hosted some of the fastest and most daring land speed records in history, dating back to the 1930s. Danny and his crew have always wanted to go there, but they never had the chance until now. With a custom-built car in mind, they decide to hit the road and make their dreams a reality.

Before they embark on their journey, Danny and his team pay a visit to a local car collector who has a classic 1930 Ford Model A Roadster that Danny wants to use as the base for his Bonneville project. The car has been sitting for decades, and it's in rough shape, but Danny sees the potential in it. He makes a deal with the owner and brings the Roadster back to the shop, where the crew gets to work.

As always, the first step is to strip the car down to its bare bones and assess the damage. The Roadster has extensive rust and corrosion, and some of the parts are missing or damaged beyond repair. Danny and his lead mechanic, Kevin, come up with a plan to transform the car into a sleek, modern hot rod that can handle the extreme conditions of the Bonneville Salt Flats. They start by reinforcing the frame and suspension, adding a custom roll cage, and installing a powerful engine that can generate enough horsepower to reach speeds over 200 mph.

Along the way, the crew encounters some challenges and setbacks, including a faulty fuel pump, a warped head gasket, and a stubborn exhaust system. However, they persevere and find creative solutions to each problem, using their expertise, ingenuity, and teamwork. They also have some fun, cracking jokes and teasing each other as they work long hours in the hot Las Vegas sun.

As the episode ends, Danny and his crew have almost finished the Roadster, but they still have a long way to go before they can hit the Bonneville Salt Flats. They need to fine-tune the engine, test the car on a dyno, and make sure everything is safe and reliable for the high-speed run. Danny is confident that they can pull it off, but he knows that anything can happen when you're pushing a custom-built car to its limits.

Overall, "Bonneville Bound Part 1" is a thrilling and entertaining episode that showcases the passion, creativity, and hard work that Danny and his crew bring to every project. It also highlights the allure and mystique of the Bonneville Salt Flats, a magical place where speed freaks and gearheads come to test their mettle and chase their dreams. Whether you're a fan of classic cars, hot rods, or just good television, this episode is sure to deliver the goods.