Big_Gunz_ Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 "Hot Rodding pioneer Boyd Coddington passed away this morning in Southern California. He had been hospitalized for several months with various health complications. He was 63. Coddington remained at the forefront of the street rodding world for nearly 30 years and was involved with Goodguys from the very beginning selecting his legendary Boyd Coddington Pro’s Picks at Goodguys events around the country. Boyd spearheaded the great renaissance of the street rodding hobby in the late 70s and early 80s and is the father of billet wheels and “smooth” style street rods, hot rods and customs. His impact on our industry is gigantic and unprecedented. A quick look back at the cars he and his team gave to our industry is mind boggling. The Vern Luce Coupe, CadZZilla, Chezoom, the Smoothster, the Boydster, the Aluma Coupe, the list goes on seemingly forever. Besides his own prodigious talents, Coddington worked on special projects with some of the top designers in the automotive aftermarket. Chip Foose and Jessie James both worked in the Boyd Coddington hot rod shop for several years and now each have their own cable TV shows. Other well-known designers such as Thom Taylor, Larry Wood (Hot Wheels designer), Todd Emmons, Chris Ito (International) and Eric Brockmeyer happily collaborated with Boyd over the years. Larry Erickson, currently with Ford Motor Company (Chief Designer, Mustang), worked with Boyd in the late Eighties to develop the enormously popular Cadzzilla, a radical custom based on a Fifties Cadillac for Rocker Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Some would say that this is one of the finest custom-cars of all time in design and execution. Boyd's hot rods won the prestigious "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" an unprecedented seven times, the Daimler-Chrysler Design Excellence Award twice, and he's been inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame, the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame, the National Rod & Custom Museum Hall of Fame, the Route 66 Wall of Fame, the Street Rod Marketing Alliance Hall of Fame, and was voted "Man of the Year" in 1988 by Hot Rod Magazine. The Smithsonian Institution also recognized Boyd’s work, when his own '33 coupe was part of a 1993 exhibit titled "Sculpture on Wheels." Cars from the Coddington shop have also won the Ridler Award and the Al Slonaker Award. In 2005, Boyd and his wife Jo founded the Coddington Foundation to provide a unique opportunity for terminally ill children to experience their dreams through building hot rods which are then auctioned for charity. The Coddington Foundation also provides work opportunities, job experience, and financial sponsorship for mentally challenged adults 18-60 in order to assist them in entering the workplace and raises funds for other non-profit organizations such as La Habra's children’s programs and the Elwyn Foundation through various charity events including the annual Coddington Foundation Car Show and Fundraiser. The impact of Boyd’s passing will be felt far and wide and for many years to come. Former Goodguys Gazette editor Steven K. Anderson, now with Buckaroo Communications reflected on Boyd saying “I was close with Boyd for 25 years. Boyd welcomed me into his inner circle back in the 1980s. He gave me some great opportunities. He selected me and Hot Rod Magazine editor Rob Kinnan to drive CadZZIlla across country in 1990. Boyd more than any other person changed the face of hot rodding and brought it into the mainstream of the automotive world. He was a great marketing mind. Without Boyd – hot rodding would not be on the level it is today. Anyone making a living in today’s industry selling wheels and hi-end cars owes a debt of gratitude to Boyd Coddington.” Back when the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association was gathering steam in the late 1980s, Coddington came along for the ride and remained active with Goodguys until his death. “Boyd was there with us since the very get go,” said a somber Gary Meadors, founder and Chairman of Goodguys. “He was one of the founding fathers of this whole street rodding movement and resurgence. His smoothie cars revolutionized and gave a re-birth to a giant segment to the hot rodding hobby. He brought pride and clout to our deal. He put hot rodding into the mainstream with his work, his recent television show and his charitable work. His presence at our events and his Pro’s Pick awards meant a lot to our event participants and members. Boyd was indeed a Goodguy. We will really miss him.” Coddington is survived by his wife Jo, and sons Boyd Jr., Chris, and Greg. Funeral arrangements are pending…" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvnalolife Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Really? Damn thats sad to see. He made some nice cars! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Edgy Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Hats Off To You Boyd :surrender: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dumontdude10 Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 (edited) That is so sad Edited February 28, 2008 by dumontdude10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAXDOUT Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 RIP, but damn-it he owed me 20 bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barefoot bob Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 as a human being im sadend to me he was no pioneer his work was boring and his tv program :rainbow1: the only decent car i saw in there they spent the entire episode whining about it. as a human being rip im sad you died so young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptNkllm Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 as a human being im sadend to me he was no pioneer his work was boring and his tv program :rainbow1: the only decent car i saw in there they spent the entire episode whining about it. as a human being rip im sad you died so young. As a Human ....Tell us how you REALLY feel lol Capt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barefoot bob Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 As a Human ....Tell us how you REALLY feel lol :jester: Capt i did apperently sand snake must have put his truck in park and again you bumped your head. chasing parked cars is not good for you david............................................. :rainbow1: :jester: :boyyy: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deckshot Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 R.I.P Boyd you will be missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptNkllm Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 i did apperently sand snake must have put his truck in park and again you bumped your head. chasing parked cars is not good for you david............................................. :rainbow1: :jester: :boyyy: No problem....Stephanie :jester: Capt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAND~~SNAKE Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 i did apperently sand snake must have put his truck in park and again you bumped your head. chasing parked cars is not good for you david............................................. :rainbow1: :jester: :jester: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barefoot bob Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 (edited) :rainbow1: :boyyy: rofl p is for park dumazzz :jester: :jester: love stephanie Edited February 28, 2008 by barefoot bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warrior07 Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 :rainbow1: rip you will be missed ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadracer Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 WoW ...sad deal....He built some sweet cars........RIP Boyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandqueen Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Boyd will be missed more than anyone could ever imagine. His funeral was pretty big, over 1,000 people. They had a very nice get together back at the Coddington shop after the funeral service. I wasn't able to make it to either, but my dad did. He has been a friend of Boyd's for over 25 years. The funeral was held at Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Habra, CA (about a block from our house) on Wednesday, March 5th. I guess I could say no wonder why I love cars the way I do. I had some great influences. R.I.P. Boyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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