Car-building legend Boyd Coddington, whose TV show “American Hot Rod” introduced the nation to the West Coast hot rodder, has died. He was 63.
He started building cars when he was 13 and once operated a gas station in Utah, set a standard for his workmanship and creativity, with his popular “Cadzilla” creation considered a design masterpiece. The customized car based on a 1950s Cadillac was built for rocker Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top.
Coddington was a machinist by trade, working at Disneyland during the day and tinkering with cars in his home garage at night and on weekends. His rolling creations captured the imagination of car-crazy Southern Californians and soon he was building custom cars and making money. He also customized 1932 Fords and car wheels. In fact, Wheels by Boyd sometimes fetched $2,000 apiece, which was unheard of two decades ago.
Coddington also surrounded himself with talent. Alumni from his shop include Jesse James and Chip Foose, who went on to open their own shops.
Always dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, Coddington said he loved his “American Hot Rod” Discovery Channel show, which featured ground-up construction of $500,000 hot rods.
CADZILLA
