Topic: BOYD COTTINGTON DEAD @ 63

[DONZIE]

R I P  BOYD YOU WILL BE MISSED
DONZIE

[Johnie]

Did not know he passed...

[Joel]

http://jalopnik.com/361391/boyd-coddington-hot-rod-king-dead-at-age-63

[MRieck]

 He was super heavy for a long time. He had heart surgery and looked pretty good on that show of his until the last year. He was putting the weight back on etc. That age is young.....especially to a lot of guys on this board. To bad for sure...I and truly mean that, BUT let it be a lesson for all of us.

[L.A. Nomad........]

My friend was one of the camera guys on his show, that closed last year. Also I knew a few guys that worked at his son's Scooter shop years back.

R.I.P Boyd!  L.A. Nomad

[LMAERO_396]

 

[Terry in Australia]

That really is a shame, I've only started to watch "American Hot Rod" this year, and I thought it was pretty good. I wouldn't have minded so much if "Dwayne" had kicked the bucket though, it really is hard to like that guy! RIP Boyd. 

[greenjeans]

Clouds might get a bit darker with all his burnouts...RIP Boyd

[sparty]

Wow!  That is a shocker.  I didn't know he was in poor health.  I had the opportunity to meet Boyd last year at the Barrett-jackson Auction in AZ.  His car creations are truly amazing.

Sparty

[sbc1320]

He was a busy man for sure. Loved his cars. My prayers go out to his family and friends.

[Geeto67]

If there was any justice in this world he would have died from having the bonneville salt flats rip a 4 foot deep trench in him....

That being said he had taken a really bad fall either last month or earlier this month, the kind of fall that requires surgery. It could be heart related but more than likely it is complications from that fall or subsequent surgery.

The worst thing he ever did was go on that TV show. I had always heard he was kind of a prick from guys that knew him (and not friend of a friend kind of people, people that actually worked for him) but out of the two times I met him (in the early 1990s) he was nice to me. I wish I could remember him like I remember Ed Roth or John Lingenfelter, but instead he went on TV and showed the world what a passive aggressive douche he is. I watched one episode of american hot rod and was completely embarrassed for him.

I am very sorry to hear that he died, but I am also sorry that the most recent thing people will remember him for is that lousy television show.

[heffay]

you know how when people die... it seems that people magically only remember the good times they had with someone or the kind things they did?

psssst, geeto doesn't subscribe to that school of thought     



really is a shocker to me too!  we'll have plenty of purdy reminders of him for a while though.



p.s.   4 foot trench?

[goon 1492]

Wow that's suprising, and I also thought that his show was bad representation of him, I'm sure that hollywood had their "drama" influence to it also. R.I.P. BOYD

[Geeto67]

you know how when people die... it seems that people magically only remember the good times they had with someone or the kind things they did?

psssst, geeto doesn't subscribe to that school of thought     

really is a shocker to me too!  we'll have plenty of purdy reminders of him for a while though.


p.s.   4 foot trench?

4 foot deep trench. (ok I am exagerating a little but not by much if you look at some of the pics)

http://jalopnik.com/cars/a-noble-craft,-but-somehow-a-most-melancholy!/boyd-coddington-rv-mired-at-bonneville-293284.php

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190398

In august 2007 when his wife was attempting a land speed record, The coddington crew in their infinite wisdom was using a full size RV as a chase truck. On the return road going to collect the car after a spinout, the massivly heavy RV broke through the salt. Two other tow trucks were called to try and rescue the RV and they broke through the salt trying to pull the massive RV out. A huge dual real axle tractor trailer tow truck finally got everybody out but not without digging massive (really massive) trenches in the salt. If I had any respect left for the guy it went out the window at that moment. Ever been to bonneville? you don't see a lot of RV chase trucks and there has been a general concensus about treading lightly on the salt since it was first noticed that the salt was getting thinner. When (and If) JT Nesbit takes the stinkin' lincoln back to bonneville I am hoping to get a look at the damage to the salt in person, till then both the above links have pics of the carnage.

I used to be a big fan of Coddington back in the 80's and 90's, and he did a lot of good for hot rodding as a legitimate thing and not the fringe hobby it was. Unfortunatly by the mid-1990s he started to represent all that was fetid, bloated, old, and scummy about the street rod scene. Unfortunatly, the TV show didn't help.

I do remember the good times I had as a kid looking at those cool as hell rods he built way back when - but he has been on my poop-list for a while now.

[pddpimp]

Yes, he made great creations out of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The show didn't do him and good, image wise. I'd always heard of him as "putting a sour taste in your mouth". Hopefully he finds his peace. Too young.

[Johnie]

I only watched the show a few times, although I really like the Rods.  Even restored a 1969 GTO myself.  However, the times I did see the show I thought he was a real jerk to his employees.  I did not like to see someone get treated like that so never watched it again.  Sort of reminds me of the Teutels and their people skills   

[heffay]

the problem i have w/ so much of tv... i argue enough in my own life, dammit.

[fuzzybutt]

he did alot for the hobby and business of hot rods and i feel for his family and friends losing him so early. the show made me feel kind of embarassed for the poor schmucks on it though.

[bill440cars]

       Sure surprised me to find that he was dead at 63 yrs old. Not much older than I am (61 next month), but he sure did a lot in the way of building rods along with the wheels and all.   Yeah, I watched some of the shows to! I really enjoy seeing cars (and bikes) built up like that and all. I just get tired of all the stupid bickering and unnecessary comments and all. Like Terry, I think Dewayne should have been the one. I could never figure out how in the world HE could be in charge of ANYTHING! I enjoyed seeing things start to take shape, you know? Shame that there can't be shows about building bikes and cars, without having people acting like morons in the process. While I wasn't all that impressed by Boyd's attitude, gotta be impressed by all that he accomplished over the years.

           Wonder if Daryl Starbird or George Barris acted like that?

                                       Later on, Bill    

[Joel]

       Sure surprised me to find that he was dead at 63 yrs old. Not much older than I am (61 next month), but he sure did a lot in the way of building rods along with the wheels and all.   Yeah, I watched some of the shows to! I really enjoy seeing cars (and bikes) built up like that and all. I just get tired of all the stupid bickering and unnecessary comments and all. Like Terry, I think Dewayne should have been the one. I could never figure out how in the world HE could be in charge of ANYTHING! I enjoyed seeing things start to take shape, you know? Shame that there can't be shows about building bikes and cars, without having people acting like morons in the process. While I wasn't all that impressed by Boyd's attitude, gotta be impressed by all that he accomplished over the years.

           Wonder if Daryl Starbird or George Barris acted like that?

                                       Later on, Bill    

I agree.  I know there are people out there who like turning on the TV and seeing people fight with each other over stupid things but I'm not one of them.  I watched his show sometimes but it seemed there was as much pointless human drama as there was automobile focus.  I got tired of it.

[Terry in Australia]

       Sure surprised me to find that he was dead at 63 yrs old. Not much older than I am (61 next month), but he sure did a lot in the way of building rods along with the wheels and all.   Yeah, I watched some of the shows to! I really enjoy seeing cars (and bikes) built up like that and all. I just get tired of all the stupid bickering and unnecessary comments and all. Like Terry, I think Dewayne should have been the one. I could never figure out how in the world HE could be in charge of ANYTHING! I enjoyed seeing things start to take shape, you know? Shame that there can't be shows about building bikes and cars, without having people acting like morons in the process. While I wasn't all that impressed by Boyd's attitude, gotta be impressed by all that he accomplished over the years.

           Wonder if Daryl Starbird or George Barris acted like that?

                                       Later on, Bill    

Hey when's your birthday Bill? Mine's the 11th of March, but you've still got a few years on me, ha ha!

I think the "drama" side of these shows is a put on, to be honest. You see I love to watch the "hands on" technical stuff, as it stimulates my tiny brain, but a lot of people who pretend that they like hotrods, really only want to look at the final product, so the producers throw in that "reality" crap to maintain the interest.

The show that I enjoy is "Wrecks to Riches" where Barry White (no relation to the singer) and his crew build musclecars from old bangers that they buy from junkyards. They spare no expense on the bodywork with nice fresh rust free panels, beautiful paint, magnificent interiors and wheels, and plenty of mumbo with 500+ BHP big block V8's, tranny's, diffs, etc.

No fancy stereo's with 10 amps and 100 speakers, no sno cone makers or plasma screens in the trunk, not a hint of any "pimping", just good engineering, and with only an occasional temper tantrum. Cheers, Terry.

[Demon67]

This whole human drama crap has leaked to other thing as well Bikes, Cars, Cooking, Renovation, shows one day I expect to channel surf and run across a sewing program or quilters program or maybe choir show doing the same thing, I wonder who the bright light was, that figured that if a little dissension was good then apply it to every thing in broad strokes and like you Terry I like things taken apart, rebuilt in a proper technical manor and if it goes faster, better, great, but a stereo system that uses enough power to keep my house going for a week why bloody bother.
Bill

[troppo]

i loved old roy...
He was a real metal man, not a buy and fit it kind of bloke, he would make a part that he could buy because he knew it would be right.
I do tend to agree with terry about wrecks to riches, great show but it is still proof of what you can do when you have an open check book to build with.....
Seems to be the basic formula for the shows now, buy it, build it , sell it, dont worry about the price its all on the networks books.
cheers
troppo

[Terry in Australia]

Nothing wrong with having an open check book Trop, I haven't got one, but I'd really like one, ha ha! Cheers, Terry.

[troppo]

Yeah terry would be nice...
I`d have the ultimate escort for rally and a couple (well she must set the limits lol) of decent bikes.
But that dont happen to us real folk, we have to make do and make up where we can, i love the metal work just a pity theres not more on the bikes
cheers
troppo

[bill440cars]

               


Hey when's your birthday Bill? Mine's the 11th of March, but you've still got a few years on me, ha ha!

I think the "drama" side of these shows is a put on, to be honest. You see I love to watch the "hands on" technical stuff, as it stimulates my tiny brain, but a lot of people who pretend that they like hotrods, really only want to look at the final product, so the producers throw in that "reality" crap to maintain the interest.

The show that I enjoy is "Wrecks to Riches" where Barry White (no relation to the singer) and his crew build musclecars from old bangers that they buy from junkyards. They spare no expense on the bodywork with nice fresh rust free panels, beautiful paint, magnificent interiors and wheels, and plenty of mumbo with 500+ BHP big block V8's, tranny's, diffs, etc.

No fancy stereo's with 10 amps and 100 speakers, no sno cone makers or plasma screens in the trunk, not a hint of any "pimping", just good engineering, and with only an occasional temper tantrum. Cheers, Terry.

           Terry, my birthday is on the 19th. Besides a few years, seems like I've got a few days too!  

            Is that show, "Wrecks to Riches" show over here too? Haven't heard of that one myself. We've had shows like Overhaulin' (where they'd set up to make it look like the vehicle was stolen, then they'd go through it and fix it up to give it back to the owner), Monster Garage (didn't always care for that one either) and there was one that used to come on Sunday evenings where they'd find a Semi truck that was in need of some serious work, take it and go completely through it and give it back to the owner (with some cool unexpected improvements) I used to enjoy a show called "Trucks" on TNN (now called Spike) but, they changed the host and the way it was operated. Oh well, that's life. Better get going Terry, before you catch up to me on AGE!  

                                         Later on, Bill

[333]

I left this thread after about 8 posts because, like some who have posted afterwards, I didn't care for his style of management.  No question-  some cool cars. But...

There was one show that was worse, the short lived "Southern Choppers".  The owner of the shop would go up on a catwalk over the shop and shoot at his employees that weren't performing with a paintball gun.

[azuredesign]

I read in the NY Times this morning that Coddington died of causes related to diabetes. I know there is a link between cardiomyopathy and DM, but there's also a whole lot of other stuff that can get messed up too.

I was deeply inpressed by his esthetic with 30's Fords, but completely turned off by his on screen personna. I too am sorry to hear of his passing. RIP

[754]

I really liked the guy before he got on TV, then liked him a lot less.
 
He was in the same trade as me, and I liked where he went with it & how far he took it, it was inspiring. He started off as a machinist at Disneyland ..of all places!!

So I am hoping boyd can R.I.P.

[gerhed]

I was disturbed by the show where Boyd purchased an unrestored, original, running Model T coupe and gutted it.
But great looking rods !
R.I.P. Boyd

[malcolmgb]

I was sad to hear this too, I only recently saw the TV program, as to the human side of it we need to remember the TV people are in it for profit, they are after viewers any way they can get them, any situation can be edited to look bad.

I think the truck program Bill talks of is 'Trick my Truck' I believe it is on the Country Music Channel, I know of this because my son-in-law is involved with the Chrome Shop Mafia who modify the trucks. Sadly we don't get it over here in the UK but I do have the shirt 

My birthday is in March too.

[333]

Yes, TV personalities are in it to make a profit. But guys like Chip Foose show how it's done without being an a$$.

[Steve F]

I only watched the show a few times, although I really like the Rods.  Even restored a 1969 GTO myself.  However, the times I did see the show I thought he was a real jerk to his employees.  I did not like to see someone get treated like that so never watched it again.  Sort of reminds me of the Teutels and their people skills   

Took the words right out of my mouth.  That Duane A$$hol3 was a real piece of work, eh?  He would have lasted two words with me an he'd be sporting a monkey wrench for teeth.  Boyd could have made a better impression with me but he too had a "the world owe's me" kind of attitude which I don't care for, no matter how talented or how much of a "celebrity" you've become.  I liked alot of his cars, but I couldn't stand watching that show more than a few times.  R.I.P., Boyd.

[fuzzybutt]

               


Hey when's your birthday Bill? Mine's the 11th of March, but you've still got a few years on me, ha ha!

I think the "drama" side of these shows is a put on, to be honest. You see I love to watch the "hands on" technical stuff, as it stimulates my tiny brain, but a lot of people who pretend that they like hotrods, really only want to look at the final product, so the producers throw in that "reality" crap to maintain the interest.

The show that I enjoy is "Wrecks to Riches" where Barry White (no relation to the singer) and his crew build musclecars from old bangers that they buy from junkyards. They spare no expense on the bodywork with nice fresh rust free panels, beautiful paint, magnificent interiors and wheels, and plenty of mumbo with 500+ BHP big block V8's, tranny's, diffs, etc.

No fancy stereo's with 10 amps and 100 speakers, no sno cone makers or plasma screens in the trunk, not a hint of any "pimping", just good engineering, and with only an occasional temper tantrum. Cheers, Terry.

           Terry, my birthday is on the 19th. Besides a few years, seems like I've got a few days too!  

            Is that show, "Wrecks to Riches" show over here too? Haven't heard of that one myself. We've had shows like Overhaulin' (where they'd set up to make it look like the vehicle was stolen, then they'd go through it and fix it up to give it back to the owner), Monster Garage (didn't always care for that one either) and there was one that used to come on Sunday evenings where they'd find a Semi truck that was in need of some serious work, take it and go completely through it and give it back to the owner (with some cool unexpected improvements) I used to enjoy a show called "Trucks" on TNN (now called Spike) but, they changed the host and the way it was operated. Oh well, that's life. Better get going Terry, before you catch up to me on AGE!  

                                         Later on, Bill

the show Wrecks to Riches is on here in the US bill. on the learning channel i believe.

[bill440cars]

I think the truck program Bill talks of is 'Trick my Truck' I believe it is on the Country Music Channel, I know of this because my son-in-law is involved with the Chrome Shop Mafia who modify the trucks. Sadly we don't get it over here in the UK but I do have the shirt 

My birthday is in March too.

           Yeah Malcolm, that's the show I was talking about. Don't you know THEY spend some money!

In case I forget to say it on your Birthday Malcolm, Hope you have a Good One!
                                  Later on, Bill            

[bill440cars]

   

the show Wrecks to Riches is on here in the US bill. on the learning channel i believe.

           Thanks fuzzy, I'll have to check that out.


                                    Later on, Bill

[Terry in Australia]

Yeah, it's a great show, over here it's on Discovery Channel.