Rock Crawling the Sport That Defines Champions
February 14, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
POWER PICKUP!
To say Tom Long has an interest in cars is to say the Pope has an interest in religion. Long has always been a “car guy,” just like the rest of us. Having owned several specialty vehicles over the years, he still has a ’32 Ford sedan street rod that has seen many miles from coast to coast. But Long had a real urge to own something with the extra shot of adrenaline that comes from potent power under the hood. As his son Matt’s interest in cars grew, Long decided a project that involved both father and son would be just the ticket.
A FINE PIECE OF WORK
Jon Therriault is no stranger when it comes to building high-profile cars. We received a message from Therriault a while back, informing us that he was working on a new top-secret project—a new ‘07 Satin-White-Pearl Subaru WRX. He went on to inform us that this car was to be considerably different than his last project.
MUSCLE PERFORMANCE ’69 CAMARO
we learned that three important players in the hot rod industry—Chip Foose, Unique Performance and Year One—were coming together for a unique collaboration. Their combined goal was to build a limited-production-built car. Unique Performance already has just such a business, as it builds and sells its continuation Shelby Mustangs.
Spotlighter
Remembering a Legend
Celebrating Boyd Coddington’s Historic Contributions
Whatever your preference in cars, Boyd Coddington took them to new heights through his exceptional ability to unite highly creative forces in a common effort, from the design stage to show-winning results.
Author
Stephen K. Anderson
Photography Courtesy of the Boyd Coddington Family, Brad Fanshaw and Peter Linney
Known Simply as “Boyd”
While most famous people throughout history have been known by their last names, one of the most influential and creative forces in the history of hot rodding was known to many simply as “Boyd.”
A Reserved Genius Behind the Scenes
Not as brash or harsh as his television show “American Hot Rod” often portrayed, Boyd Coddington was actually rather reserved, preferring to offer up a bit of humor or just stand back and watch as people marveled over the creations his creative teams turned out year after year.
Cultivating Talent and Innovation
Highly capable in his own right, Coddington employed many of the best craftsmen in the business to sculpt machinery never before seen. Several of these people went on to create their own enterprises, and even their own television shows, including Jesse James’ “Monster Garage” and Chip Foose’s “Overhaulin’.”
Award-Winning Machines and Iconic Designs
Over the years, Coddington earned many awards in the world of extreme machines, building cars in every genre, including many notable Chevys featured in magazines and on television. At the same time, the Coddington name brought bling to the center caps of billet wheels worldwide, making them one of the most celebrated brands ever.
A Quiet Force for Good
Beyond his business enterprises, Coddington quietly enabled a number of individuals with extraordinary challenges to hold their own in the workplace. He also reached out to others, like young enthusiast Russell Caldwell, whose Make-A-Wish request was simply to meet Coddington, who then took Caldwell on an automotive odyssey not to be forgotten.
A Lasting Legacy
If he were still with us, Coddington would push aside most accolades he was awarded over the last 40 years, deferring instead to those who allowed him to build his works of automotive art. Yet his contributions to hot rodding, and the automotive world in general, have no doubt brought about change, in both the way cars look and the way we look at cars. Coddington took the automobile to a higher level, forever changing our appreciation of all things mechanical.
Like those who preceded him, including Ed “Big Daddy” Roth pictured here, George Barris, Gene Winfield and others, Coddington became a legend to generations of rodding enthusiasts, enabling others to follow in his footsteps.
Certainly one of the most radical and renowned ’57 Chevys ever is CheZoom, designed by Thom Taylor.
Exaggerated in many areas, it’s hard to actually pick out the changes, and yet there’s no questioning its classic lineage.
In their travels, Boyd and Jo rubbed shoulders with many notables, including Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon (center) and Don Prudhomme to Brad Fanshaw’s left.
Beyond cars and rims, Boyd’s ability to orchestrate amazing concepts led to this Chip Foose-designed bass guitar for Van Halen’s Michael Anthony. Sculpted in purple aluminum with cool details, it’s just one of Coddington’s special visions.
Having been a senior member of Cadillac’s design team, and the man who designed ZZ Top’s CadZZilla, Larry Erickson also penned other concept vehicles for Coddington, including the exploratory Aluma-Coupe.
Every Coddington effort took on its own persona, as did this wild green ’59 Chevy convertible, which displays numerous alterations melded together as an eye-catching expression of extreme capability. Photography by Peter Linney.
Always looking for additions to their car collections, it’s not surprising that many notables from the entertainment industry turned to Coddington for their transportation, including guitar wizard Eddie Van Halen, seen here between Coddington and Brad Fanshaw.
When it came to enthusiasm for cars, Boyd and his wife, Jo, balanced perfectly, taking on various challenges, including speed-record attempts at Bonneville. Talk about a marriage made in heaven!
Based on concepts initiated by his good friend Lil’ John Buttera, Coddington’s method of machining wheel centers out of aluminum alloys led to the broad reference of “billet wheels.” Computer-milled in staggering numbers and in every conceivable design, Boyd wheels roll around the globe.
Always looking to expand his own capabilities as he explored new ways of building on old cars, Coddington repeatedly tore open the hot-rodding envelope, as can be seen in these two efforts separated by almost 30 years.
Always looking to expand his own capabilities as he explored new ways of building on old cars, Coddington repeatedly tore open the hot-rodding envelope, as can be seen in these two efforts separated by almost 30 years.
ARTICLE SOURCES
Boyd Coddington
