What Went Wrong? The Rise and Fall of “American Hot Rod”

Boyd Coddington, the creative visionary who elevated hot rodding into an art form, was hailed by many as the “King of Hot Rods”, being largely credited for creating the hot rod craze on the West Coast, with many of his creations reaching legendary status. The Vern Luce Coupe put him on the map, and the CadZZilla was acclaimed as one of the most authentic and original car customizations in the world. He headlined “American Hot Rod” aired on Warner Bros. Discovery-owned TLC and Discovery Channel from 2004 to 2007, ending with his death in 2008.

We'll try to answer to questions below in this video:
What was American Hot Rod?
Who was American Hot Rod cast?
What happened to American Hot Rod?
Who is American Hot Rod judges?
Why did American Hot Rod got canceled?
Where was American Hot Rod filmed?
Who was American Hot Rod host?

#AmericanHotRod #BoydCoddington #CadZZilla

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[barkendog]

Boyd and Duane were hard to stomach. Two horrible bullies who treated their staff like dirt.

[scottdudley]

The problem with "American Hot Rod" was Boyd Coddington period.

[cmscms]

I used to watch this show with my two sons. I used Body as an example, I told my sons get a good college education, make yourself valuable, so you never have to work for a jerk like Boyd. It worked. Thanks Boyd...

[SEDGE]

I grew up idolizing Boyd but met him in person one time and hated him after because he was such a rude dick! I have met Chip Foose multiple times and like him more every time I see and talk to him. Chip Foose will always be one of the car guys I look up to.

[chrisjones]

They hit the jackpot with this show, they couldn't have cast a more divisive bunch of trouble makers, bullies, ego maniacs, vacuous people if they tried, continually rescued by the few talented and genuine guys, that never get the recognition they deserve, Duane never got taken down the several steps he deserved, Blue bear was a legend in his own lunchtime

[cmscms]

I saw Dwayne from this show recently.. He still has the brown spot on his nose from being up Boyd's butt so far... lol Dwayne asked me, if I want to super size my fries... lol

[Thomasr]

Boyd was both the rise - and the fall of his empire. Chip was a big reason for Boyd’s success. I met Boyd in a business setting, and he was awful. He was an expert at treating people like dirt. If he was nice to you it was only because he wanted something from you - and once he got it, you were dirt. He was extremely ungrateful and considered himself to be a hot rod god. God bless Chip, he was able to move beyond Boyd.

[JDashRider]

These comments say it all. When you’ve been dead for 15 years and all anyone remembers is how you treated your employees and what a jerk you were, thats not much of a legacy. Also, That dyed beard was gross for an old man.

[tedbiernacki]

I used to watch Coddingtons show. I always thought that it should be used as a teaching tool on how not to treat your help and run a business!

[damianboyd]

Boyd’s shop went through talent like a dragster goes through fuel. Charlie quit after being offered a 1 off custom job and boyd flipped. Duane caused more problems than he could ever solve. And simply you can’t build quality anything in a week, that’s the reason most people quit.

[michaelalan]

Boyd was a crazy man. He was a visionary and designer but treated his employees like dirt. Duane, his shop manager was a real a...hole, , berating anyone who worked there. Boyd had a lifetime grudge against Chip because he left to start his own business, and many of Boyd's people left to work for chip. He had his ex wife running the office when he remarried. He destroyed the business himself.

[michaelbeck]

I tried watching the show several times. Too little other talented guys and too much Coddington. Originally, I thought this has got to be an act for TV, wrong. Possibly, he had a good side, I just never saw the appreciative, positive, kind, team guy, visionary, all around good guy in him. That description fits Chip Foose. Coddington is not missed.

[timwaddell]

Met Boyd once when i was maybe 19 or 20 at the Boise Roadster Show. He was my idol and an icon to me. When i went up to buy some merch and say hi, was was a complete ahole. I always told my self maybe he was having a bad day, nope, it was just him.

[Captain-lnvh]

Boyd was not a friendly guy. He was actually pretty petty about his ego. My dad had him make wheels and steering wheel as well as some other things for his car. My pops won the L.A Auto Show and Boyd had a visible meltdown because my dad beat him. He made an ass out of himself cussing and complaining to the officials. So all the lovers of Boyd can say all y’all want. I was there and saw it. My opinion is he was absolutely great at making custom parts, but I lost all respect that day.

[Luke_]

I've been in the custom car business since the late 90's, and Boyd was always - always known as a jerk / bully / bad human. He was an absolute visionary in the custom car business without a doubt and he should always be credited with his contributions to the business, but he's an example of how to not treat other people.

[matrox]

King of HotRodding??!! They have been hotrodding long before this guy was even born!

[sungear]

I was going to jump on here and comment about Boyd's character but I'm pleased to notice everyone else is already aware.
It really bugs me when a holes are venerated just because they're dead.
The world is a better place without that shit head.

[uppastdawn]

Tacky cars and reality TV “phony drama.”
Real car guys want to watch nuts and bolts building and maybe learn something. In this show, the cars took a backseat to phony drama and real car guys just hated it. People watching for the drama could get that anywhere.

[andybrown]

This was one of those shows that highlighted how employers take their workforce for granted and given the talent he had its a miracle they weren't headhunted by other workshops.

[MrSmokingfrog]

Pretty much when Roy died, the shop died too.