Boyd Coddington's Net Worth
Boyd Coddington, an esteemed American hot rod designer, amassed a net worth of $12.5 million. Born on August 18, 1944, in Rupert, Idaho, his passion for cars ignited early on, fueled by an avid readership of car magazines. At just eight years old, he acquired his first vehicle, a 1931 Chevrolet truck.
Early Life and Career
After completing machinist trade school and an extensive three-year apprenticeship, Coddington relocated to California in 1968. There, he balanced working as a machinist at Disneyland during the night while dedicating his days to building hot rods. His reputation for crafting unique hot rods soared, culminating in the 1977 opening of his own shop, Hot Rods by Boyd, in Cypress, California.
(Photo by Robert Lachman/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Significant Milestones
Coddington’s breakthrough arrived with Vern Luce's 1933 coupe, which claimed the Al Slonaker Award at the 1981 Oakland Roadster Show. Renowned for his clean, elegant designs blending old-school aesthetics with modern engineering, Coddington pioneered the custom-fabricated alloy wheels made from solid billets of 6061 forged aluminum. This innovative approach, co-developed with John Buttera, not only redefined car design but significantly influenced the custom rims industry.
Boyd's Wheels, Inc.
In 1988, Coddington launched Boyd's Wheels, Inc., to produce and market his custom billet wheels. The popularity of these machined billet wheels transcended the hot rod community, making a substantial impact on the hip-hop culture's fascination with custom rims.
Final Years and Legacy
Boyd Coddington faced health challenges later in life and was hospitalized on December 31, 2007. Though briefly discharged, he was readmitted within days. Following surgery, he tragically passed away on February 27, 2008. His publicist noted that Coddington, a long-time diabetic, succumbed to complications arising from surgery for a perforated colon, compounded by sepsis and kidney issues. Despite his passing, Coddington's influence on hot rod design and custom wheel manufacturing remains indelible.
