Once upon a time, there was a man named Boyd Coddington who had a passion for designing unique hot rods. He moved to California in 1968 and started building hot rods during the day while working as a machinist at Disneyland at night. His skills and innovative ideas soon gained him recognition, and he opened his own shop in Stanton, California in 1977, called Hot Rods by Boyd.

Boyd’s style was loved in California, and many of his customers came to him not just for repairs, but for his unique ideas to improve their cars. Boyd’s style was clean and elegant, combining old school with what became known as the “Boyd Look.” He was known for his custom-fabricated alloy wheels, which he machined from solid aluminum billets.

One day, Boyd met a photographer who showed him some of his work. Boyd was impressed and liked the photographer’s work so much that he took the photographer under his wing. He drove his cars to the photographer’s locations with Chip Foose in charge, so the photographer got to know Boyd and Chip Foose. Boyd’s tremendous talent in designing hot rods helped the photographer to understand the custom car business.

Boyd’s creations won many awards, including the Grand National Roadster Show’s “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” award seven times, the Daimler- Chrysler Design Excellence award twice, and he was inducted into many halls of fame, including the SEMA Hall of Fame, the Route 66 Hall of Fame, and the National Rod & Custom Museum Hall of Fame.

Boyd’s passion for designing hot rods continued until his death in 2008. His last project, WhattheHaye, was reportedly completed by his shop while he was hospitalized. It was the last fully hand-formed metal-body hot rod to leave Boyd Coddington’s Garage, and the car will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Jo Coddington, Boyd’s widow.

Boyd’s legacy lives on, and his unique ideas and designs continue to inspire car enthusiasts and hot rod designers to this day. The photographer who met Boyd is grateful for the opportunity to have known him and to have witnessed his amazing talent firsthand.