[Amc-list] Boyd Coddington, Hot Rod King, Dead At Age 63

[Brien Tourville <hh7x@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 From Jalopnik:



Boyd Coddington <http://jalopnik.com/tag/boyd-coddington/>


    Boyd Coddington, Hot Rod King, Dead At Age 63
    <http://jalopnik.com/361391/boyd-coddington-hot-rod-king-dead-at-age-63>


    Boyd Coddington's Company Releases Statement, Cause Of Death Still
    Vague
    <http://jalopnik.com/361736/boyd-coddingtons-company-releases-statement-cause-of-death-still-vague>


    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.
    <http://jalopnik.com/361736/boyd-coddingtons-company-releases-statement-cause-of-death-still-vague>








As reported yesterday, hot rod visionary Boyd Coddington died 
<http://jalopnik.com/361391/boyd-coddington-hot-rod-king-dead-at-age-63> 
early Wednesday morning. Host of TLC's /American Hot Rod/ and winner of 
numerous awards for his designs, his death at 63 was premature and 
unexpected. His company has released a statement stating that Coddington 
was "a long-time diabetic" who "died from complications that were 
brought on from a recent surgery." Honestly, we find this a bit vague, 
but now is the time to remember Boyd Coddington 
<http://jalopnik.com/361403/boyd-coddington-remembered>. Full details 
below the jump.

    * Boyd Coddington Hot Rod Icon, Automotive Innovator and Star of
    TV's American Hot Rod Dies at 63*

    Boyd Coddington was the man who made hot rodding and custom cars a
    household hobby

    Anaheim, CA- February 27, 2008- Boyd Coddington, the creative
    visionary who took hot rodding to an art form and custom wheels to a
    new level dies at 63. Coddington who was a long-time diabetic died
    from complications that were brought on from a recent surgery. It
    was Coddingtons' ever forward-looking view at the design and art of
    the hot rod and his unconditional desire to create the finest
    quality cars that became the "Boyd Look".

    "It is a major loss for the automotive enthusiasts and hot rod
    aficionados around the world. Boyd Coddington did so much more than
    create automotive trends, he also built the finest hot rods. He was
    entertaining on his TV Show (TLC's- American Hot Rod) and an
    ambassador who educated.", said Harry Hibler, former publisher of
    Hot Rod Magazine.

    Coddington who grew up in Idaho was a car enthusiast from a young
    age. At age 12, young Boyd traded his prized shotgun for a Model A
    Ford, this began the legacy of the "Boyd Look". Moving to Southern
    California to chase his dreams of chrome and customizing, he first
    worked as a shop machinist at Western Gear. Then in the 1970's,
    Coddington found work as a maintenance repairman and machinist at
    Disneyland. Coddington would recount fondly his experience at
    Disneyland and the companys desire for perfection, a trait that he
    instilled in everyone who worked at his hot rod shops.

    Coddington's first major opportunity at developing the "Boyd Look"
    was when Vern Luce bankrolled a dream. The "Vern Luce Coupe" was
    Boyd's vision of what could be done to create the ultimate 1933 Ford
    hot rod. Boyd would refer to his look as getting rid of the bumps
    and allowing the lines of the car to show. Coddington removed door
    handles, hinges and massaged the body
    dynamics in a way that no one every had ever realized. To make the
    Vern Luce coupe even more dynamic was his trademark use of billet
    aluminum to create parts that were unique to ever hot rod. The
    result of his first creation was the prestigious "Sloanaker Award",
    the first of many.

    Over his thirty-year reign as the "King of Hot Rods", Coddington
    created dozens of hand-built hot rods and custom cars. Coddington
    has amassed numerous awards and was the first builder to ever win
    the America's Most Beautiful Roadster (A.M.B.R.) award six times.
    Collectively, Boyd created more respect for hot rods than ever
    thought possible, his hot rods have been in Museum exhibits and even
    the cover of Smithsonian Magazine.

    Coddington's innovations have become not just hot rodding
    touchstones, but influences that have helped the entire aftermarket
    industry flourish. Building cars that stand the test of time and
    have creative names such as CadZZilla, CheZoom, Aluma-Coupe,
    Smoothster, Boydster I and Boydster II set him apart from others.
    His client list also included ZZ Top, The Beach Boys, Van Halen's-
    Michael Anthony, Brad Penny of the LA Dodgers, Budweiser, White Cap,
    Sobe, Old Milwaukee Beer, O'Reilly Auto Parts and Hershey.

    Boyd Coddington was also an entrepreneur with a driven desire to
    build his company and see his goal become reality. In the 1980's,
    Boyd literally re invented the wheel by creating the billet wheel
    for hot rods. Coddington and long-time friend Lil' John Buttera
    found they could machine practically anything they needed from solid
    aluminum. It was Coddington who took the idea and made it
    commercially viable. In the 1990's, his hot rod shop and wheel
    company had grown and was so successful that he took the company
    public in an I.P.O. on NASDAQ.

    Boyd Coddington was less known as a father of five boys and a man
    who had an infectious laugh. To many he was the under-the-gun,
    deadline-stomping star of "American Hot Rod" a persona that led some
    to believe he was cantankerous. Actually, Coddington was a humble
    and somewhat shy individual who loved kids and was a true
    philanthropist. Coddington has continually employed those were
    mentally challenged and gave them a welcome environment to learn and
    work. Through his "Coddington Foundation", Boyd and his wife Jo gave
    to the community and an array of charities.

    Boyd Coddington was honored during his life as Hot Rod Magazine's
    "Man of the Year", he was inducted into numerous Hall's of Fame. His
    hit TV show "American Hot Rod" brought world wide notoriety and
    corporations sought his talents. The "Boyd Look" will live on and
    his spirit will forever remain the hot rodders inspiration.

    Survived by his wife Jo Coddington and his five sons Boyd Coddington
    Jr, Christopher Coddington, Thomas McGee, Gregory Coddington and
    Robert McGee. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations
    be made to the Coddington Foundation to benefit a variety of Boyd's
    favorite charities. Please address your donations to: Coddington
    Foundation, 811 E. Lambert Rd., La Habra, California, 90631

    Services will be held on Wednesday March 5, 2008, 9 a.m. at Our Lady
    of Guadalupe Church, 900 West La Habra blvd., La Habra, California,
    90631, (562) 691-0533. A reception will be held immediately
    following the service (Approximately 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.) at the Boyd
    Coddington Hot Rod's and Collectibles, 811 E. Lambert Rd., La Habra,
    California, 90631

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://splatter.wps.com/pipermail/amc-list/attachments/20080301/e911ee7f/attachment.htm 
_______________________________________________
Amc-list mailing list
Amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://splatter.wps.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/amc-list