NEWS
Jo Coddington is considered by many to be the “Queen of Hot Rods.” To others she is the “Duchess of the Dragstrip,” but when speaking to Jo directly she said, “I just wanna be known as a car girl,” this down to earth, “car girl” attitude has been one of the propelling trademarks of Jo’s personality. She has had a brilliant career. One that has been both endearing while having to be endured. During her high-speed, white-knuckle life there have been many highs as well as several lows.
Most hot rod enthusiasts consider Boyd Coddington to be the King of Hot Rods. In the late 90’s Jo married Boyd Coddington. Boyd was already her business partner, best friend and the man that put the sparkle in her eye. Together they embarked on a journey of twenty plus years designing, innovating and mentoring other legends in the global Hot Rod world.
Many of these iconic creations are amazing and are worth in excess of a million dollars today. Tutoring soon to be legends like Larry Erickson, chief designer of the (Mustang and Thunderbird for Ford Motor Co.), designer Chip Foose (Overhaulin’), and fabricator Jesse James (Motorcycle Mania ) are but a part of the “Coddington Legacy”.
Jo has a long history in both the racing and hot rod worlds. Next year she is unveiling some recently unearthed, never seen before, designs of her own for 2014. One of those lows in her career was Boyd, the love of her life, dying unexpectedly in 2008. Reruns of his ‘American Hot Rod’ show are still aired on the Speed channel (Velocity) and his legacy has been left to his beautiful wife Jo carry on.
Coddington’s creations have won the Grand National Roadster Show’s “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR)” award six times, (the only back-to-back winner) of America’s Most Beautiful Roadster. He also won the Daimler-Chrysler Design Excellence award twice, the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame, SEMA Hall of Fame, Route 66 Hall of Fame and the National Rod & Custom Museum Hall of Fame. In 1997, Coddington was inducted into the Hot Rod Hall of Fame.
Coddington known for his clean elegant designs (featured in ZZ Top “She’s got Legs” music video) combine old school with what was to become known as the “Boyd Look”. Boyd was one of the first to eliminate door handles and excess trim. His use of machine billet wheels rims are the signature of his designs.
“I wanted to share these classic designs with the public. I truly believe in giving back to our community, if not us, who?” queried Ms. Coddington. What better way to gain an introduction to the next generation of, Would-be Hot Rod Designers, than to expose them to the King of Hot Rods …….. Boyd Coddington …a Parade lap is in order… one more time.