TLC · Discovery Channel · 2004 — 2007
American Hot Rod
Boyd's shop, on the air.
For five seasons, cameras followed Boyd Coddington and his crew inside the shop in La Habra, California, as they built hot rods and customs on tight deadlines. Millions of viewers watched the cars come together, and the arguments that came with them.
5
Seasons
76
Episodes
'04–'07
On the air
La Habra
California
Inside the shop
Deadlines, sparks and a lot of attitude
American Hot Rod put viewers on the floor of Boyd’s wheel and car shop. Each build was a race against the clock: a customer, a deadline and a crew of fabricators turning Boyd’s ideas into finished cars.
The show was known as much for the tension in the shop as for the cars. Boyd’s standards were high, the schedule was tight, and not every crew member lasted. It made for television that hot rod fans still talk about.
The crew
Faces from the shop floor
Shop owner & designer
Boyd Coddington
Boyd's wife
Jo Coddington
Boyd's son
Chris Coddington
Shop foreman
Duane Mayer
Crew
Dan "Chicago" Sobieski
Crew
Charley Hutton
Also on the crew over the years: Al Simon and Roy Schmidt, among others.
The builds
Cars that made the show
The Alumatub
One of the best-known builds from the series.
Built on the show
'61 Impala Bubbletop
A classic Chevy roofline, reworked the Boyd way.
Built on the show
'63 Corvette Stingray
Split-window era Corvette built in the shop.
Built on the show
'42 Woodie
Wood-bodied wagon brought back to life.
Built on the show
Elvis tribute car
A 1957 pink Cadillac built as a tribute to the King.
See Boyd’s roadsters, coupes and customs in the full gallery.
Jo Coddington
Fans still know her from the show
American Hot Rod fans still walk up to Jo at car shows to talk about their favorite episode. Today she partners with brands, events and car shows as a spokesperson, through sponsored spots and live appearances.