I saw that show last night and can't belive I didn't see what I think is probably the coolest custom of all time. I thought Boyd built it too(?) Pretty disappointing that that car seems to get very little recognition these days, but it sure sticks in my mind as probably the best of all time. I wonder what ever became of it...
Someone posted pics of it at this year's Roundup in Austin... parked next to Jimmy Vaughn's caddy, as I recall? No doubt it is still owned by Billy Gibbons. I do have question about the metal-work on the Cadzilla (and I'm feeling too lazy to look it up). I read an article somewhere, which interviewed an ace metal-man from VA, I believe. He was responsible for the amazing metal-work in that car. If Boyd "built" the car... did he farm that work out? More importantly what was the guy's name in VA? Incredible work in those panels. -murph
That show was a joke, 1/2 of the cars were built by the guy hosting the show. Can you say conflict of interest? How about the Packard Woody? um...that doesnt even come close to the definition of a Hot Rod. That red Model A roadster was one of the ugliest cars I've seen in a while, way to plain. Boyd is an arrogant fool who has his employes (thats right he doesnt build them) build overpriced ugly ****.
Dennis' roadster was good enough to win AMBR award in '98(I think), state of the art at that time? It's a driver, what more do you need?
No Cadzilla. I was thinking the same thing when I saw the show.Especially after they had Chezoom on it.
Other than Boyd being a "Gold-chainer" Im certain he is an arogant-***. I have heard that countless times from many-of-people. I dont think Boyd has any reason to judge any cars. All he [and his shop foreman] does now is scream, shout and create "Drama" on T.V...It's Pathetic. That show is like a "B-rated" American Chopper [show], Part 2.
I thought the exact same thing. These shows always seem like an hour adverti*****t for Boyd Coddington...But I still watch them..
Maybe he thought he could fool joe public with the woody, but you're right they just aren't the same when you park 'em side by side. I still didn't fall for it being a hot rod even after Boyd said the woody is at home at the show or at the country club. As for the roadster... puke. Those wheels weren't even cool in the 90's. But then again they did say Boyd!
Well, I found several links that give Ford Exec Larry Erickson credit for designing Cadzzilla, and overseeing the build completed at Boyd's shop. But I SWEAR I read an interview with the actual guy who did much of the metal-work, and I'm pretty sure he was an east-coast guy (like in Virginia). I remember that struck me as odd at the time I read it. Not only was this guy removed geographically from the California, but he was also removed from receiving any credit for the job he did in shaping (literally) a landmark custom (IMHO). The fact that I can't even find his name, only reinforces an emerging conspiracy theory. The truth is out there. -murph
I watched the show maybe a couple of episodes past Bluebear leaving. The one or two projects having to be done in a month were one thing, but it seemed Coddington just kept accepting ridiculous deadlines for the show. I don't know how a real shop works, but I've always lived by the saying: "You can have it done fast, or you can have it done right, choose one.". I don't even know why Coddington was considered, his shop plainly says "Street Rod".
Regarding an unsung builder that you recall having built Cadzilla: Could you be thinking of Ramsey Mosher, the guy who built S****e for Terry Cook? He's in Delaware.
Craig Naff is the metal man responsible for Cadzilla. It is a shame that Boyd didnt mention that car, it is one of my personal favorites. I think Cadzilla should have been picked over that woody thing. Jimmy White
I can't believe that you guys would waste an hour of your lives watching such ****. Life is too short to watch TV, let alone anything with BC hosting it. Why are we wasting HAMB space even discussing it?
I saw that.......the man is on a major ego trip. Some people actually believe he is the king of hot rods......NOT!
I watched the show too, and wondered where the likes of cadzilla and others were also. I have come to the conclusion that Boyd needs to go get a couple of ribs removed, so he can blow himself even better. -Joe
All the cars on that show pretty much looked like ****. What are you supposed to do with them? Are they customs or hot rods? I like how Boyd feels cool saying he can get in one of his cars and "drive it accross town". I want to see some loud, fast, crude old rod that someone built in his back yard that could get the **** beat out of and drive where ever the hell its owner wants to take it. And when the hell did huge wheels catch on? I think I'll stick with my 14x6" steelies -Dean
He went the safe route with cars he built and the majority were tri 5 chevy's , 2 being extremely stock looking, and ford hot rods. I was expecting cadzilla to be in there too. Also what about boyd talking about the new owner of chezoom not changing much. That interior ******** looked like ***. teal surfboard arm rest and steerinf wheel. and those fugly seats ruined the interior flow.
Cadzilla was supposed to be one of the original top 10, but they could not work out the filming logisitics.
Craig Naff was the metal man that did all of the incredible work. Not only the sheet metal, but he also hand fabbed and metal finished all of the chrome trim in br***. He was an employee at Hot Rods by Boyd at the time. The real amazing thing is Craig was also doing all of the aluminum body work for Arlen Ness's Big Red (dual supercharged Harley designed by Thom Taylor) at the same time. I would stop by from time to time and visit with Craig, I was amazed at the progress on both projects done simultaneously. Craig had already decided to move back to Virginia but was committed to finish his portion of these projects. One of Ron (Covell's) videos was taken at Craigs shop, Appalacian Metal Works.
I agree. As a rule I hate radical customs,but this thing has to be seen to be believed. It is incredible. Every line on it flows and the workmanship is equal to any in the world.
I don't have cable,but watch it when I'm on the road and staying in motels. A show I used to love to watch was "***us". Loved that show. Not really about cars but there were a lot of really cool cars in the background since it was based in a hot rod/custom shop. Really funny,and with Stacey Keach playing the father,you would think it would have stayed on tv. Have no idea why it was cancelled.
I watched the show only because there was a post on here by another hamber that said he had a hand in building that yellow 55 on there. I was actually kinda suprised, I figured all 10 were gonna be built by him. I have to stand back and admire the level of workmanship that goes into the caliber of car built by guys like Troy trepnie(sp) and chip foose, although most of them I would never spend that kinda money to own. Drew
Jimmy (hemicoupe) and or Chris (Chopt34)...Wasn't Craig Naff responsible for the Foose designed yellow "'37 Ford Roadster" , "the Smoothster" also? I think it won the AMBR? Anyway, I remember reading in Hot Rod as it was being built (they had updates from time to time) that they pulled the car out of Boyd's and sent it to Naff. I thought that was strange at the time because Boyd was supposed to be "it." Now as I'm getting a little older and wiser, it makes a lot of sense why they had to do that. Craig Naff seems like one of the unsung heros of hot rodding...what's he up to now? Boyd's however, seems like a real life soap opera to me...which I guess is what the Discovery Channel wants. I've met Boyd himself, and he was nice to me and I thought he was kinda funny...but being around his shop made me feel a little weird. I don't think I could work under that much pressure. Those that can get my respect. Really, the good thing about Boyd is that he has an amazing ability to hire super-talented people. And when those people finally get pissed off and go out on their own they can create some killer stuff. Oh, and Cadzilla is an awesome car. Anybody that hasn't seen it in person should do so.
B***, You are right Craig also built Fred Warren's Yellow 37 'Smoothster'. This car, which was also Larry Erikson's (of Cadzilla fame) original design. The original customer lost interest in the project about 90% through the build, Fred took it over and had Boyd and crew finish it up. As for the Discovery Channel, yep it has a lot of drama, it is not necesarily Boyd's call. We were just talking about that yesterday morning while Boyd was in town this weekend in Dallas.
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