Boyd Coddington, Hot Rod King, Dies At Age 63

nbw · #1 02-27-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

World-renowned tuner and hot rod king Boyd Coddington died at 6:20 am this morning. The cause of death is still unknown. Coddington, founder of Boyds Wheels and designer of prize-winning custom cars, had recently been hospitalized twice for an undisclosed medical condition. Although he was though to be in recovery, rumors of his untimely death began circulating today throughout the forums. A spokesperson for Boyd Coddington's corporation has confirmed to Jalopnik that those rumors are true. The company will be releasing a statement later today.

Barkless Dog · #2 02-28-2008, 05:39 AM

Wow, I loved his show and his hotrods. He was so young!!

ROON · #3 02-28-2008, 05:41 AM

Wow... Didn't see this one coming. For his age he seemed very fit and healthy, I wouldn't have expected him to die any time soon. This is quite a shock. I must admit I've never really liked the guys attitude, I've watched his TV show a few times and he comes across as a bit of a tool, but nether the less it's a sad day for rodders, he was a legend and I'm sure he'll be missed. RIP.

Mon Rominee · #4 02-28-2008, 05:45 AM

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Originally Posted by ROON

I must admit I've never really liked the guys attitude, I've watched his TV show a few times and he comes across as a bit of a tool, ...he was a legend and I'm sure he'll be missed. RIP.

I feel the same, with all the "mock tension" and "last minute miracles" formula that ran rampant on the show every episode, but yeah, besides all that, he had good vision and creativity... RIP Boyd.

Honk'n_down-low · #5 02-28-2008, 05:48 AM

Just illustrates that no matter how much success you attain your health is what matters most. Sad story he was successful and still young relatively speaking. RIP Boyd and Roll on!

steve66 · #6 02-28-2008, 05:49 AM

RIP Boyd Coddington.

ROON · #7 02-28-2008, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mon Rominee

I feel the same, with all the "mock tension" and "last minute miracles" formula that ran rampant on the show every episode, but yeah, besides all that, he had good vision and creativity... RIP Boyd.

Yeah, to be honest I was quite surprised when I watched the show, and there are all these problems in the construction process, some of them sorted out and some of them kinda "temporarily fixed" and shoved away. Out of sight out of mind it seems.

Still, his cars ended up looking cool. Whether they performed as well as they looked or stood the test of time would be interesting.

Mon Rominee · #8 02-28-2008, 06:19 AM

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Originally Posted by ROON

Still, his cars ended up looking cool. Whether they performed as well as they looked or stood the test of time would be interesting.

Same way I felt about his show cars, as I felt with the OCC show bikes...all show but flasy paint hiding sometimes less than stellar work. THAT show, eesh, same formula

"Dad, I'm working onit"

"Work faster"

*kick door*

Ok, well we can't have things back from paint until Friday and we need the build Wednesday"

*punch window*

*obligatory "relieve tension/ bonding" fun activity montage footage with life lesson thrown in*

"Hey, paint pulled an all nighter and we actually miraculously got the parts a week before we even ordered them...how'd that happen?"

HoooooraY!

"Mikey, you're useless"

*kick kung-fu mannequin over swearing bleeped*

Show off bike with cool glasses and facial topiary, big parade...

end.

ubado · #9 02-28-2008, 06:29 AM

This is a HUGE loss for the Custom Car building industry.

RIP Boyd... he will be missed.

ROON · #10 02-28-2008, 06:35 AM

LOL Mon. That's pretty much what happens in every car show.

I quite like Overhaulin'. Theres not too much of that;

"OMG DEADLINE IS TOMORROW AND PARTS AREN'T HERE AND ITS 2AM AND WE'VE BEEN UP ALL NIGHT TRYING TO GET IT DONE."

"The great guys at _____ got the parts to us first thing in the morning, and we were able to assemble the car just with a few hours to spare before _____ came to pick it up."

Also seeing them screw around with the minds of the owner is funny.

And that chick is HOT.

FL Knifemaker · #11 02-28-2008, 06:44 AM

I loved his work, hated the show. Could you imagine spending that kind of money on a custom car an having those shop monkeys building it??

I'm suprised he had any customers left after the first season.

McHack · #12 02-28-2008, 06:59 AM

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Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

I loved his work, hated the show. Could imagine spending that kind of money on a custom car an having those shop monkeys building it??

I'm suprised he had any customers left after the first season.

+1

It's interesting to see how many guys actually defected from HIS shop, to go work for Chip Foose. Also, I really didnt care for how Boyd let his "wife" have free reign in the shop. SHE wasn't the visionary, BOYD was...

As boring & predicable as the format was, I always enjoyed watching the craftsmanship... & seeing the end result. The very first time I saw Mrs Boyd wear the pants, I lost all respect. Specifically, there was an episode, where they hired a VERY talented new worker, who happened to be a girl. Mrs Boyd had a hissy fit, & the girl was fired the next day.

*Lost a viewer*

martyman5000 · #13 02-28-2008, 07:04 AM

I feel bad that he died but I didn't like his work or his way of running a business. I stopped watching the show after a few episodes when his staff was either fired or jumped ship. The show that I stopped watching when they had a contest between an employee and Boyd fixing up Model Ts...Boyd chopped the top and ruined a Model T and the young guy was later fired.

Spector_Ray · #14 02-28-2008, 07:06 AM

WOW. I've followed Boyd for a long time(since Cadzzilla) and really admired his work. I didn't care for some of his styling and color palate, but he did great work. I wonder what Chip Foose has to say? R.I.P Boyd.

TrooperFarva · #15 02-28-2008, 07:12 AM

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Originally Posted by Spector_Ray

I wonder what Chip Foose has to say?

+1

McHack · #16 02-28-2008, 07:21 AM

I've never heard Chip a single bad thing about Boyd, & will have nothing but the kindest words, & praise...

Spector_Ray · #17 02-28-2008, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McHack

I've never heard Chip a single bad thing about Boyd, & will have nothing but the kindest words, & praise...

There's nothing on his site and Boyd's site is down.

budman · #18 02-28-2008, 07:54 AM

I remember hearing about Boyd back in the 80's when I lived in So Cal, working at a restoration shop. High turn over is pretty typical for those kind of shops. The pay usually isn't that great. You've got to love doing that kind of work to stick with it, otherwise you can make 2-3 times as much at a collision shop. The kind of pressure those guys are under for the show is riduculous. It can take months or years to build cars like those. The deadlines are what makes the show in the producers mind. Still I watch them all because it takes me back...

FL Knifemaker · #19 02-28-2008, 07:54 AM

You cannot blame Foose for breaking out on his own. I think Boyd was the one with hard feelings, not Chip. Chip is also a visionary in his own way. I actually like what he does better. More functional, more performance oriented.

**Kelly Lee** · #20 02-28-2008, 10:25 AM

Not to speak ill of the dead but I thought Boyd to be a rude jerk. Met him once and that's all it took for me not to like him.

However, I still hate to see anyone pass at such an early age and I'm sure his friends and family are hurting so I can feel for them.