Want more controversy? Most people know it was less than a decade ago when Boyd Coddington Hot Rods declared chapter 11. In doing so, they stiffed small mom and pop hot rod shops to the sum of over $5 million. No big deal, right? Happens all the time and that's business. Sometimes when you go public, the stock doesn't go in the right direction.

They opened the doors again five years ago with brand new CNCs, water jets, etc... huge shop, giant inventory, all is good. Or is it? To avoid previous debts, they started the company in Boyd Coddington Jr's name and while he has since moved on to Weld Wheels, the old hot rodders have yet to get what they paid for and never will. Boyd gets richer, hot rods get glossier, and the Discovery Channel gets drama.

There is no such thing as commercial art.

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I lost all respect for Boyd Coddington and his shop foreman Duane after I saw American Hotrodder a few times. Geez, is he really THAT toxic? Doesn't he realize that his behavior is illegal? It's called verbal assault, and it can get some hefty fines and charges piled against him if his employees ever decide to stand up to him. And Duane -THERE'S someone begging to do some jail time! I've heard him threaten his employees multiple times. It's amazing that someone hasn't either pressed charges against him, sued him, or taken him back behind the shop and kicked his ass by now. I would have, had I ever worked for him. But then I've never been so desperate for a job that I'd stoop to mailing a resume to someone like either Duane or Boyd.

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I lost all respect for Boyd long ago, and watching his show/soap only rooted my convictions. I will never support this guy. Boyd is a butcher, destroying beautiful original cars like some spoiled rich kid using crayons on a Rembrandt. Why cut up a minty original Model T that should be in a museum, particularly when there are kit bodies out there that would suffice. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...Anyone else agree? AVOID THE BOYD!

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I am with you. I ordered some Smoothie 2 wheels from Boyd on 1-5-05 and they have still not come in. I spoke to someone today and they said that it was now going to be April 8th. WHAT A JOKE. By the time they ship it will be May and half my hot rodding year is over. I will never support this guy again. His whole shop is runn like crap. Top to bottom.

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After watching American Hot Rod, I know some of it
is staged for ratings. Having redone a classic myself
I know what is true. I'm in agreement about Duane.
He has no PEOPLE SKILLS. Boyd is no better. If they
were in a different business they would have been
fired a long time ago and had charges against them.
As far as Charlie moving on I feel it was the best thing
he could have done. Boyd will never build anything
to even enter that class of show.

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I'd like to lay some wood to Boyds' "current" wife!

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I purchased a 1923 Bucket T from a Guy dieing from cancer. He started the project in 1992 and I told him I would do my best to get it on the road for him to see. I need to expediate the title thing. please help!

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contact me at ken@waxitup.com

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i`ve been building,restoring and repairing exotic cars for 45 years and it amazes me that boyd and his inept crew get anything done at all........what also amazes me is,that after watching how he butchers his cars together,people still order big bucks machinery from him..........go figure

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Does anyone know why Boyd hates Chip Foose the way he does. All I have heard, right or wrong, is that Chip used to work for Boyd and went out on his own.

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I agree about Daune being a total ass if he were in the construction buisness he would have already had his ass kicked.I as some of you also build cars for a living.The things they do cannot be done in the time frame they show.I do beleive that people have the coddington garage do work because of the name only.I was glad to see Charlie get the hell out of there.When Boyd painted the red vette it was a joke,if you have ever painted and i mean good paint work you sure as hell dont start out applying paint were boyd did.And why do they not show the real work involved,they always leave a few steps out of the paint prep work.Did i mention duane is an ass? and boyds people skills SUCK!! i KINDA THINK HE MIGHT MISS CHARLIE FOR SOME OTHER STRANGE REASONS HIS WIFE SURE MISSES CHARLIE.OK ENOUGH SAID IM THROUGH WATCHING THAT B.S. SHOW I HOPE DISCOVERY COMES UP WITH SOMETHING BETTER SOON MAYBE THEY'LL EVEN SHOW THE ILLEGALS WORKING THERE OH YEAH BOYDS EX MIGHT BE DUANES MOM LOL

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You know, I have watched American Hot rod since day one and come to the following conclusion:
Charlie leaving was the best thing he could have done for himself. He absolutely knew that what Boyd was doing was wrong, and one of these days one of those "mod rods" he piecemeals together is going to fall apart on someone and possibly injure or worse kill someone.

I say "mod rods" because that's what they are, they are not hot rods at all, you want a precision pre WW2 hot rod, go see a man named Barry White at So-Cal speedshop or better than him a man named Jimmy Shine, these two cats make hot rods that are safe and totally beautiful, I currently am the second owner of a Jimmy Shine 1932 ford, I bought it from my best friends father 3 years back and have won 3 local titles with it. Could I do that with a Boyd POS, not a chance.

And to end my rant, that useless pile named Duane should either have his head examined or as someone else said, taken out back and had his ass whupped, I build engines for a living and honestly if that bastard EVER got after me like he does some or all of his crew, I'd give him a whole new way to try and remove a torque wrench from his lower orrifice.

Again, you want quality, go see Mr. Shine or Mr. Barry White, they'll hook you up with quality and style, not some mismatched bucket of bondo.
When Bluebear got fired he should have knocked Boyd on his can for screwing with his frame while he was out.

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I agree with all other's general comments regarding both Boyd and Duane. They're both jerks. As a future hot rod project wannabe, I've watched American Hotrod with interest from the start. Now, it's too frustrating to see little Hitler Boyd and his skinhead side-kick Duane. That's it for me. I'd rather watch Laverne and Shirley re-runs than American Slop Job.

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Everyone has their own opinion, I totally enjoy the show. I enjoy listening to Boyd and all the others too. Great show Discovery keep up the good work.

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I agree with nearly everybody except Guy Francis probably boyd in alias. I had felt that Boyd was Quality but after watching several builds you see its all about the money. Slam it together just as fast as you can. And someone pays over a hundred grand for it. That would really make you feel good to see how the crew feels about building your dream. I blame 100% on Boyd his first and biggest mistake was hiring the henchman duane I wouldnt blame Mike for leaving him hanging and going the same place as charlie. Boyd has brought it on himself he somehow came back from the ashes and is headed back to the ashes Boyd I'm sure you read these posts ENJOY and learn something. email me if you need some more advise.

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I'm sure others can relate to my story... Growing up in southern Arizona, we have "HotRod" fever all year long. My Dad was born n' raised in southern California - during the hayday of roddin. "HotRod" and "Streetrodder" were always on the coffee table - as far back as I can remember. Both Dad and I had the upmost respect for Boyd - knowing him for his great wheels - also the cars he would show in "The World of Wheels" and other car shows. However, things have changed since discovery channel - it's sad to see.

Charlie is a class act, I wish nothing but the best for him and his family.

Bluebear - nostalgia is one thing, however safety is another. I've been taught the best of both worlds. I'm currently working on my own "ratrod", with the horsepower I'm givin' her, safety is only too important. Bluebear, you should have boxed the frame - Coddington was paying for it, you could always use a hotwrench on it later...

I understand the shops attitude, I wouldn't enjoy working on all that "old gold" either if I had to listen to Duane rant all day, then kiss the only hole he can render appropriate - Boyds ass.

Our family shop was how it's supposed to be, great friends, sweet tunes, cold refreshment - and the occasional four letter word, followed by the sound of dropping tools. Boyd, get back to your roots. There's something special about a homemade HotRod.

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Old Roy is my all time favorite.Why is he not the shop super?

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The next time Dewayne and or Boyd decide to mouth off to anyone, I would love to see all of the employees walk out. Boyd has the attitude that everyone is replaceable. This is true, but you won't always be able to get quality employees. It usually doesn't take long for people to get the word that a company is hard or impossible to work for. By the way, what is the old guy (Roy I think) still doing there. He should have been run off long ago. Boyd's answer to anyone having an opinion is always "maybe you shouldn't be working here". I have noticed on the past several shows Dewayne doesn't have many parts in the show. Makes me think too many people complained to Discovery Channel about his attitude and demeanor and the camera crew was told to find others to film.

I agree about Charlie, Charlie rocks. Charlie seems as if he is one of those rare people that a person can call a true friend. One that will do anything for you. One that isn't going to go behind your back spewing about something you entrusted in him or stabbing you in the back. If your employer expects you to work seven days a week and 10 to 20 hours a day it is time to move on. All Boyd is concerned about is himself and money.

I honestly feel that if it wasn't for Discovery Channel Boyd's shop wouldn't be running. If it was there would be a very small crew. It is amazing what people will put up with to get on television. Think about it, Jerry Springer.!"?

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I find Boyd doesn't seem to pay attention to his people, he's always overextending them on jobs and wondering why they are losing morale by the flatbed load. Yes, you need target finish dates. If you are a good manager, you will meet those dates without a lot of overtime. Duane is an ass. It's his job to be one. If he didn't crack the whip, many on the shop floor would play with their dogs or not even be there. Duane should take Boyd aside and tell him what's going on with the rediculous make or break schedules. What about all the other rides there? i almost never see anyone working on them. I agree that Roy should run the shop floor. He might be semi retired, but despite his comic grouchyness, he has a LOT more people skills and actually listens to what is really going on.
Despite the verbal fireworks on American Chopper, I see that as a much better place to work and more honest work being done. Sure, they mostly just tweak tanks, fenders and accessories, but they do really artistic creations. I am NOT a motorcycle fan, but I like watching that show. Whenever I watch Boyd's group, it's like watching slow motion footage of a bomb going off. You can see everything disintegrating, you can see everything going wrong and yet nobody there seems to care. Put Paul Teutle Senior in charge of Boyd and the shop, the crew will work, have fun and know that duane is actually doing what he should instead of cracking Boyd's whip.

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Cutting a mint T, Boyd thicker than Duanne, boy is that saying something!

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