Boyd Coddington Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

The Man Behind the Legend: The Life of Boyd Coddington

Boyd Coddington was born on August 28, 1944 in Rupert, Idaho — a birthdate that would mark the beginning of a life that forever transformed hot-rod culture.  Raised in rural Idaho, Coddington discovered early a love for cars, devouring hot-rod magazines and buying his first vehicle — a 1931 Chevrolet truck — at a young age. 

From those humble origins grew a visionary whose ambition would reshape American automotive custom culture.

From Idaho Dreams to Custom Rod Royalty

After completing machinist trade school and a three-year machinist apprenticeship, Coddington relocated to California.  In 1968 he split his time between building hot rods by day and working as a machinist at Disneyland by night.

By 1977, he had established his own shop — initially called Hot Rods by Boyd in Stanton, California.  Coddington’s flair for clean, elegant designs soon earned him a reputation: when you saw a “Boyd car,” you recognized the signature “Boyd look.” 

A landmark moment came in 1981, when Vern Luce’s 1933 coupe — built by Coddington — won the Al Slonaker Award at the Oakland Roadster Show.  That success helped establish Coddington as one of the foremost custom-car builders in America.

Innovation and Influence — The “Billet Revolution”

One of Coddington’s most significant contributions to the hot-rod world was his pioneering use of custom-fabricated alloy wheels machined from solid aluminum billets — an industry first.  In 1988, he founded Boyd's Wheels, Inc. to manufacture and market these wheels, dramatically influencing the broader custom-car and hot-rod community.

His shop became a launchpad for other legendary builders and designers. Among those who worked under him were Chip Foose, Larry Erickson, Thom Taylor and Lil' John Buttera — all of whom went on to leave their own mark on car-craft.

Perhaps his most famous build was CadZZilla — a radically transformed 1949 Cadillac commissioned by musician ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons. That car remains widely regarded as one of the greatest expressions of custom design ever produced. 

In the process, Coddington didn't just build cars — he built a legacy. His encouragement of clean lines, bespoke fabrication, and bold customization helped shift hot rodding from garage tinkering to high-end artistry.

Fame, Media, and Mainstream Legacy

Coddington’s influence stretched beyond car shows and garages. In 2004, the reality TV series American Hot Rod premiered, starring Boyd and showcasing his shop’s creations, process and characters.  The show introduced hot-rod culture to millions, often dramatizing the pressures, deadlines, and clashes that accompanied high-stakes custom builds and tight timelines. 

Through television exposure and magazine covers — including mainstream outlets like the Smithsonian Magazine and The Robb Report — Coddington helped elevate the public image of hot-rodding, transforming it into a respected, aspirational craft rather than a fringe hobby. 

Even when the custom-car scene was considered niche or underground, Coddington’s vision paved the way for hot rods to be appreciated as works of design, engineering, and culture.

Financial Highs, Hard Lessons, and Estimated Net Worth

At the peak of his success, Coddington’s entrepreneurship and custom builds translated into substantial wealth. Some sources estimate his peak net worth at around US$20 million. Others — such as a long-standing figure cited by some celebrity-wealth trackers — place his net worth at roughly US$12.5 million. 

However, the path wasn’t without turbulence. In the late 1990s, a catastrophic financial hit — reportedly a loss of US$465,000 from a bankrupt customer — forced a reorganization of Boyd’s Wheels and led to a partnership with his eldest son. 

Despite the setbacks, the net worth estimates reflect the value of his brand, intellectual property, and legacy in the hot-rod and custom automotive world — not just the value of cars or wheels he physically built.

Personal Life, Relationships, and Family

Coddington was married three times over the course of his life. His spouses included Peggy Jeanne King (first), Diane Marie Ragone Elkins (second), and Jo Andenise Clausen McGee (third). 

From his marriages to Diane and Peggy he fathered a total of four children — three with Diane and one with Peggy. 

In 2005, Coddington and his wife Jo established the Coddington Foundation, a non-profit aimed at providing terminally ill children an opportunity to build their own hot rods — blending his passion for cars with philanthropy and hope. 

This dimension of his life — combining family, business, and giving back — underscored a broader philosophy: hot rodding wasn’t just about metal and wheels, it was about legacy, community, and creativity.

Final Chapter and Enduring Influence

Though his birthdate is August 28, 1944, Coddington’s journey was finite: he passed away on February 27, 2008, in Whittier, California. Doctors cited complications following surgery — including sepsis and kidney issues, exacerbated by a long history of diabetes — as contributing factors. 

At the time of his death, many recognized him as the most successful custom-car builder of his generation.  His cars had won the prestigious Grand National Roadster Show’s “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” (AMBR) trophy multiple times; his wheels and designs had set new standards for craftsmanship; and his influence reverberated through generations of car-builders who followed in his footsteps. 

Even though the world lost him too soon, the legacy of Boyd Coddington lives on — not only in gleaming custom cars, but in the culture and standards of hot-rod design worldwide.