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For many hot rodders, the word “custom” conjures up images of chopped, channeled, molded and frenched cars with wild metalflake paint jobs. Such radical customs no doubt helped define the custom movement of the 1950s, along with such phrases as “if it don’t go, chrome it,” but in virtually every town in the USA there was a contingency of mild customs providing their owners with daily transportation, an occasional trip down the dragstrip, and a starring role in the local armory car show a couple of weekends a year. No, most of these cars didn’t hold the local track record, nor did they make it to the ISCA Grand Finale, but they were good examples of shade-tree customizing and hot rodding. Known mostly as a “mild custom,” a term that no doubt originated from car show classes, this style of car was extremely popular.

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A RADICAL DRIVER

Some of the most interesting conversations around the office usually center on whether a rod built without shiny paint can be considered a finished rod or something else. There are some trendy names floating around that are often associated with these cars, but we don’t particularly think these names are appropriate or accurate for a proper description. Just because a rod has a satin finish doesn’t mean it is lacking any aspect of a finished rod. Rick Nowak’s ’48 Chevy pickup definitely falls into the latter category. As its owner and builder say, “It’s not a ratty rod; not perfect, just a radical-looking driver.”

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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.