American Hot Rod is a reality television series that originally aired between 2004 and 2008 on The Learning Channel and Discovery Channel. The series followed renowned car designer Boyd Coddington and his crew as they built hot rods and custom vehicles at his wheel and car shop in La Habra, California. The show was known for its frequent rows, bust ups and staff departures. Some crew members went to work for Overhaulin's Chip Foose, a former partner of Coddington.
The series ended when Boyd Coddington died, following complications from surgery, in February 2008. The car shop closed on June 20, 2008.
Custom built cars built during the series included the "Alumatub", 61 Impala Bubbletop, 63 Chevy Corvette Stingray and a 42 Woodie. In July 2007, the shop made an Elvis Tribute Car, a modified 1957 pink Cadillac, sponsored by Reese's.
Video American Hot Rod
Hot Rod Shop
- Boyd Coddington. Died suddenly February 27, 2008 due to complications from surgery.
- Jo Coddington: Boyd's wife.
- Diane Coddington: Accounts. Boyd's ex-wife appears in Season 1,2,3 and 4 before leaving the wheel shop.
- Duane Mayer: Foreman. Appears in all five seasons. Now runs his own shop.
- Dan Sobieski. "Chicago" appears in all five seasons. Now runs his own shop.
- Lee Hayes: Metal worker and Roy's assistant. Appeared in Season 2.
- Greg Morrell: Body Man/Painter.
- Chad "Bluebear" Geary. The assembler appeared in Season 1 and was fired during the Rat Rod Build-Off.
- Bernt Karlsson.
- Jimmy Pett: Fabricator/Assembler. Appeared in Season 1,2,3.
- Chris Smith: Fabricator/Assembler. Appeared in Season 4.
Maps American Hot Rod
Body Shop
- Justin Bergsto: Body Man.
- Rafael Garcia: Body Man.
- Robert Taylor. Featured on Discovery Channels Motorcycle Mania 3. Now owns parts and accessory stores in La Habra.
- Charley Hutton: Bodyshop supervisor. Leaves for competitor Chip Foose and appears on Rides, Overhaulin' and wins a Ridler Award. Now owns his own custom paint shop in Idaho.
- Andrew "Beetle Bailey" Petterson: Body Man. The Idaho native leaves with Charley Hutton to work for Chip Foose.
- Scott Parker. Appears in Season 2, 3, and 4. Leaves to work for himself but ends up working for Chip Foose.
- Mike Curtis: Machine Shop Supervisor. Fired for working with Chip Foose. Later appeared with Charley on Overhaulin'. Now lends his name to a custom wheel business in California.
- Roy Schmidt: Metal worker. Dies of lung cancer at age 64. Appeared in Season 1,2,3.
- Thomas Loddby. The popular Swede left to start a shipping business but later returns to Boyd's.
- Al Simon: Chassis builder. Quits during the Bud Light build and leaves again during the "59 Corvette". Now has his own shop in Riverside, California.
- Chris Coddington. Boyd's son appears briefly in Season 1,2,3 and 4 before leaving to work for American Racing Inc.
- "Speedy" MacDonald. Appears briefly in Season 4 before returning to Connecticut.
- Jon Rockwell: Metal fabricator (from s4.e12).
- Sean Dooley: Metal worker. Fired during the "65 Ford Mustang" build.
- Jimmy Hudson. The temperamental fabricator appears during the '40 Ford build in Season 4.
- Brad Johnston. Quits during Season 1. Re-hired and leaves during the "61 Impala Bubbletop" build in Season 4.
- Liz Miles. According to Miles's biography, was dismissed due to issues with Boyd's wife, Jo. Now a freelance writer.
- Tony Piro: Intern. Appears in Season 4 before being laid-off.
- Jon Mayo: Machinist. Appears in Season 2 during the Rat Rod Build-off.
- Kevin Christianson: CNC machinist. Appears in Season 4,5.
- Chris Campbell: Driver. Fired during the Hildebrant build.
- Ben Vasquez: Fabricator/assembler. (from s4.e14 to end)
- Ken Whitney: Assembler. Appears in Season 4 and is usually performing the wiring tasks.
Episodes
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
See also
- American Chopper
- Monster Garage
- Overhaulin'
- Pimp My Ride
- Trick My Truck
References
External links
- American Hot Rod on IMDb
- Pilgrim Films & Television page
- Boyd Coddington Helps Exhume Buried 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Boyd Coddington Virtual Museum
Source of the article : Wikipedia