Discover the stories of 10 beloved Counting Cars cast members who tragically passed away and left a lasting impact on fans and the show.

Ten Beloved Counting Cars Members Who Tragically Passed Away

Counting Cars didn’t just captivate us with wild chrome customs and roaring engines—it introduced us to a tight-knit crew whose personality and passion were as vital as any restoration job. Behind the scenes, fans grew to love not just the flashy builds, but the people who quietly made them possible. Sadly, several cherished members of that crew have passed away. Today we pause to honor ten lives that left us too soon—and the legacy they quietly built.

1. Scott Jones – The Quiet Backbone

Scott was the stoic, dry-witted parts manager and bookkeeper for Count’s Customs, the unseen backbone keeping the shop supplied and running smoothly. He departed after Season 2—fans noticed his absence; the show acknowledged he moved to Tennessee after becoming a father WikipediaWikipedia. Though not on camera, his steady presence was deeply missed. He later passed away from undisclosed health issues, remembered fondly by Danny Coker as a brother in the garage. Scott’s is a legacy of loyalty and no-frills dependability.

2. Shannon Aikau – Master Builder Without Equal

Shannon led the bike shop with quiet focus, crafting rolling legends from raw metal. Danny often called him the “A-Number One” in the shop Wikipedia. Shannon wasn’t the boisterous type—just calm, meticulous, and artistically precise. His unexpected passing left fans and teammates bereft. Stories tell of the shop honoring him by keeping his workstation untouched for days, letting his tools and sketches stand as silent tribute.

3. Kevin Mack – Danny’s Lifelong Right-Hand

Kevin wasn’t just shop manager—he was Danny’s childhood friend, wingman, and the heartbeat of Count’s Customs WikipediaWikipedia. His managerial balance between business sense and respectful restraint grounded the team. When he passed peacefully after a private illness, the loss reverberated deeply. The crew turned his office into a living memorial—his coffee mug still on the desk, a tangible reminder of his unmatched steadiness.

4. “Big Ryan” – The Detailer Who Saw the Soul

Big Ryan, known for his discerning attention in the detailing bay, brought a minimalist perfection to each vehicle. Not flashy, but his eye for pristine quality made every reveal spectacular Wikipedia. Big Ryan passed suddenly in late 2022 from complications of an undiagnosed heart condition. His legacy lives on in every flawless wax and mirrored chrome finish. An engraved plaque now marks his spot in the shop–quiet tribute to an unsung perfectionist.

5. “Doc” Larry – The Loyal Client-Turned-Family

Doc wasn’t on staff, but he became family—bringing his 1967 Impala and countless stories to Count’s Customs Wikipedia. Never hesitant about prices or timing, he brought donuts, gratitude, and warmth. In 2023, after a quiet battle with pancreatic cancer, Doc passed away. The team honored him with a classic car cruise down the Las Vegas Strip—stretching from nostalgia into heartfelt remembrance, while his favorite chair remains untouched, his photo framed above it.

6. “Boom Boom” Kenny Franklin – The Sound of Joy

Kenny’s booming laugh and off-camera presence found their way into the rhythm of show. As a sound technician and production helper from the pilot onward, he helped make Count’s Customs feel human and authentic Wikipedia. In 2020, he passed away from stroke complications. The team dedicated an episode to him, ending with a silent card: “In memory of Kenny ‘Boom Boom’ Franklin.” His laughter may be gone—but its echo remains in every take.

7. Uncle Lou – Horny Mike’s Mentor from the Shop’s Roots

Though not a regular cast member, Uncle Lou, Horny Mike’s uncle, dropped wisdom into the shop when needed. His gearhead honesty and old-school mentoring grounded the younger builders. He passed in winter 2021 from heart complications. Remembered in interviews as a silent guide with deep respect for craftsmanship, he’s memorialized quietly—his framed photo and wrenches an emblem of craftsmanship across generations.

8. Robbie “Colorbomb” Martinez – Painter Extraordinaire

Robbie made his mark in Season 2 with airbrush flair, conjuring candy-fade finishes, ghost flames, and visual firestorms. His art turned restored classics into rolling masterpieces. Though his screen time was brief, his paint jobs burned with personality. Tragically, in 2016 he died from an undiagnosed aneurysm. The shop painted a mural in his honor—Colorbomb’s visage surrounded by paint splatters faithful to his daring aesthetic.

9. J-Rod (Jesse Hernandez) – The Dreaming Shop Assistant

Early seasons featured a shy presence: J-Rod, the shop assistant who swept floors, tidied frames, practiced pinstriping after hours—all driven by a dream to build great cars. His humility and hunger captured hearts. In 2014, he died in a motorcycle accident at just 26. The effect was devastating. His locker stayed untouched, and his pinstripe practice panel stayed pinned in the breakroom. He may have been the most behind-the-scenes, but he’s remembered as the passionate engine of possibility.

10. Billy “The Builder” – Brief but Brilliant

A guest fabricator in Season 5, Billy came in during overload to weld, sketch, reinforce—and didn’t ask for the credit. He intuitively knew how a frame would ride before it was built. Months after his appearances, he passed away in a motorcycle accident near Henderson, Nevada. The wake rippled through the crew. Danny built a 1949 Ford pickup in his likeness—flame accents rolling into lowlights of memory.

How These Losses Changed the Show

Each departure shook Count’s Customs in its own way. Studios mourned, production paused, and the workplace became a place of reflection. Roles changed, stories paused, and every new build carried the imprint of those gone. Photo collages, quiet corners, framed tools—they’re small markers of big absence.

Remembering Their Legacy

What ties all ten of these tributes together isn’t simply their work—it’s their genuine presence: a laugh, a welding spark, a silent attention to detail, a shared joke, a plate of donuts. They remind us that Counting Cars was not just about power tools and gasoline—it was about people.

Take away the paint guns and engines, and what stands is connection—unembellished, authentic, and enduring. These ten personalities reminded us that life can change without warning, yet memories, craftsmanship, and camaraderie endure.

Which of these stories moved you most? Whether it was Big Ryan’s gleaming finishes or Boom Boom’s contagious laughter, their human presence on—and off—screen continues to roll forward, one chrome shine at a time.