I may be late to this party but I was watching American Hot Rod on TLC the other night and noticed Boyd Codington sold off his wheel business to American Racing.
They showed the goodbye party and them taking down the signs.

I guess he just has the hot rod shop now.

I guess he just has the hot rod shop now.
and alot of cash... :D

"and alot of cash... "

and a dwindling workforce...

maybe american racing can make the wheels so they don't crack

He would still have all his employees if he just got rid of Duane

but then againl, they are both assholes so they deserve each other

I can't BELIEVE he belittled his painter and then had to go tell him he was sorry, although he never really said that

Boyd is a ass, Duane is a prick

they deserve each other

all the good guys he had employed have bailed or died ...

maybe american racing can make the wheels so they don't crack

He would still have all his employees if he just got rid of Duane

but then againl, they are both assholes so they deserve each other

I can't BELIEVE he belittled his painter and then had to go tell him he was sorry, although he never really said that

Boyd is a ass, Duane is a prick

they deserve each other

all the good guys he had employed have bailed or died ...
No need to be subtle...tell us how you really feel.

It was sold to an aquisition company called Platinum Equity.
They bought American Racing wheels last July and began aquisition of Boyd's wheels company in Feb. I* think the sale was final in April or early May.
Diane Coddington was an officer with the company and went with them to assist the new CEO of American - if I can remember his name I will repost it.
A little birdy told me this now allowed Boyd to buy her out of his business holdings - I don't know that for sure though...

He would still have all his employees if he just got rid of Duane but then againl, they are both assholes so they deserve each other


yep!

Shyly he said........................

He, He!!

pdq67

Some one else had to bail out Boyd again! That guy must not know how to manage his finances! :sad:

"maybe american racing can make the wheels so they don't crack"

Of the hundreds of Boyd wheels I've dealt with, I've never seen that before. Any pics?

Some one else had to bail out Boyd again! That guy must not know how to manage his finances! :sad:

Hmm...OK, not sure why you say that...

I always hate to see threads such as these because everybody thiinks they "know" Boyd just by what they see on TV. I'm not saying that you can't draw any conclusions about his business from watching the show, but alot of what you see is drama, plain and simple.

All I know is the end result is he builds the best cars..

I dont work for him so I dont care how he acts, if if I had the money I'd buy one of his cars.

The twin turbo vette to start

All I know is the end result is he builds the best cars..


His cars aren't "top notch" by any means, though...check out cars from Alloway, Pinkees, Hot Rod Fab, Troy, etc. They make Boyd's projects look like kit cars.

maybe american racing can make the wheels so they don't crack

He would still have all his employees if he just got rid of Duane
but then againl, they are both assholes so they deserve each other
I can't BELIEVE he belittled his painter and then had to go tell him he was Sorry, although he never really said that
Boyd is a ass, Duane is a prick
they deserve each other
all the good guys he had employed have bailed or died ...

I couldn't agree more.
Hello ? Foose calling !

Matt, I think the bail out comment was based on the fact that Boyd has gone (or filed) bankrupt more than once. He does not manage his finances or business very well. I have not personally met him or talked to him (and don;t care to) but, I know quite a few people that have and they all said the same thing "he's a jerk", who knows?

Hmm...OK, not sure why you say that...

I always hate to see threads such as these because everybody thiinks they "know" Boyd just by what they see on TV. I'm not saying that you can't draw any conclusions about his business from watching the show, but alot of what you see is drama, plain and simple.

I agree. A lot of the BS on the TV is just that- TV. If they didn't have drama than no one would watch.

I'll start by saying I have never met Boyd, but.........................Rick (Rick Roush Engineering), my old hangout I call the hot rod shop, bought a Boydster III in 2004. It was bought from the original buyer. The car itself was well built, very detailed, and looked great. It had a few small problems with "bolt-on stuff" that Rick fixed. One item was the starter. Being a Boyd car, Rick called Boyd to ask where he got the starter so he (Rick) could get a replacement. Boyd was about as rude as you could get. As it turned out, the engine came from Speed and Performance. Rick called Mark at S&P. Mark told Rick he would send a new starter out to him and if he talked to Boyd again, tell him to send me my $30K he owes me. Now, I overheard the conversation with Boyd on the phone and he was very rude. Also, lets not forget in the early episodes the Duane rant when the delivery guy wanted his cash. The parts were COD. What does that say?

Royce,
Perhaps that's how he talks to people that he doesn't know. Tough to say. I don't know anything about his bankruptcy deals, but I do know that he makes enough from the TV show that his car business could be a "side job" if needed. It would be very understandable if he filed for bankruptcy before the show, because it's not easy being a car builder...it can be VERY difficult in fact, and sometimes he tends to take on more projects than he should which can easily exaggerate the problem. I would doubt there is anybody here who has been a real builder who would truly understand how difficult/risky it can be. Shoot, maybe he filed chapter 11 because a number of people haven't paid up. Who knows?

Bill,
Have you noticed that most people who hate the show also watch it? Why is that? I remember even reading on here where someone said "I have to watch it with the TV muted". Well, why watch it then? Perhaps its for the drama like you stated.

Opinions of Boyd are like a-holes, everybody has one.

Hmm...OK, not sure why you say that...

I always hate to see threads such as these because everybody thiinks they "know" Boyd just by what they see on TV. I'm not saying that you can't draw any conclusions about his business from watching the show, but alot of what you see is drama, plain and simple.

Do the research...it was before his TV fame days!

I think it is a cool show in spite of Duane and Boyd.

Sorry but every time I look at boyd he looks like my uncle. Yea he's an ass too!!! He seems to have that "lets get the show over with so I can hit the bar" look on his face every time I see him. He also has that drunken stupor on his face everytime someone asks him a question. Seems like it takes a few seconds for the words to register in there. Oh and one more thing. DUDE!! FIND SOME OTHER SHIRTS OTHER THAN THE HAWAII LUAU ATTIRE!! JESH!!

OK Im done ranting.......NEXT!!!

It was not his Hot Rod business that was the only problem his wheel business has gone under more than once if I remember right. Talk to a few people that have had dealings with him, and you will see most are not happy. Sure any business is not easy, that doesn't mean you burn people or treat them bad. Car building or running a resturaunt, neither are easy but, if peopel have a problem with the food you don't yell at them or treat them bad (if you want to stay in business). You also make sure your suppliers are paid. Running a business is much like running your home, you have money coming in and bills to pay. When you don't pay your bills or spend more than you make you end up with problems.

Bill,
Have you noticed that most people who hate the show also watch it? Why is that? I remember even reading on here where someone said "I have to watch it with the TV muted". Well, why watch it then? Perhaps its for the drama like you stated.

Opinions of Boyd are like a-holes, everybody has one.

That's the thing-it's entertainment. Just like with movies and other shows, people can be quick to assume that the people on the screen are exactly like that in real life. Not so. Regarding "Reality" TV... as long as it is driven by $ there is no way it's true reality.

I've never met Boyd so I can't say for certain if he's the jackass he's made out to be.

"maybe american racing can make the wheels so they don't crack"

Of the hundreds of Boyd wheels I've dealt with, I've never seen that before. Any pics?

I never personally bought any of his items, but several people I race with (SCCA) had and one after another they cracked.

Now this was in the mid-late 90's, I am sure they have pictures too as they were stranded out in the middle of nowhere with their Chevy pickups with 3 cracked wheels on one and 2 on the other

A BFG performance tire rep had them on his BFG vehicle and they cracked also

funny (able to say that now) thing was they were following each other to an out of state event and BOTH ended up stranded, so they took the uncracked ones and their sapres to get to town

I have a 1st hand dealing with him at a GoodGuys show when he attempted to buy a vehicle from me. I was not impressed by his "cash" offer of ~ 50% of my asking price just so "my" car could become one of his project cars.

Maybe he appreciates people low balling HIM on his stuff? I doubt he gives ANY discounts.

Regardless, apparently I was supposed to bow and take whatever he offered so I could say one of my cars was turned into a "Boyd" creation. The car was sold on the 2nd day for nearly full asking price to a "nice" family.

I see him all the time at Pomona as well

I just wonder how long it is before he burns Gabe

I actually like the shirts he wears, i have been wearing them for 20+ years ...

BTW, I rarely watch the show any more, maybe once a month just to see how many employees he pisses off

Same with American Chopper, it gets tiring with the same old have to get it done yesterday, no time to do anything right

I remember even reading on here where someone said "I have to watch it with the TV muted". Well, why watch it then?
For the same reason we gawk at wrecks on the highway. We don't want to, but some unknown force compels us to. I used to enjoy the show (and by the way, I'm the one who watches it with the sound off), but I finally fell off the bandwagon when Duane and Boyd brought one of the newer workers to tears as he was quitting. The guy pleaded with Boyd to do something about Duane and how he treats people, but all Boyd could do was give him that signature stupid look. You know the place has gotten bad when Boyd's (new) wife is now in the shop helping finish the cars. It's too bad because the cars usually come out real nice. This show can't possibly be good for his business. Who wants a car built by angry, miserable people?

Kevin

Kevin (sleepinshed) brings up a good point -- it would be interesting to see how the show has affected his business -- are more customers coming to him because of increased exposure or are some staying away because of the drama (whether its made up for TV or not)

I couldn't stand to be around Duane for more than 5 minutes, as soon as he started running his mouth id knock him out.

Kevin (sleepinshed) brings up a good point -- it would be interesting to see how the show has affected his business -- are more customers coming to him because of increased exposure or are some staying away because of the drama (whether its made up for TV or not)

His business has increased somewhat, but not as much as you might think. If he was more civil and the shop dynamics were more reasonable, I think he'd do even more cars than he is now.

He makes more from the show than the does from the cars, so it may not worry him too much. If the shop was more reasonable, the show wouldn't continue and he'd lose a lot of money.

Only three reasons to watch AHR. The creative car crafting (Boyd does have some good design ideas), to see who will eventually put Duane to sleep, and see who quits next. We all have to tolerate deuche commercials so we can all tolerate Duane and Boyd.

i haven't seen the show in a while, but my favorite episodes were the ones where they actually showed HOW things were made and kept Boyd's tyranical theatrics to a minimum- that guy with the mustache (you know, the one that "quit" and came back 3 projects later when the ratings were down) is one hell of a fabricator, and Roy was awesome and should have had his own show.
the painter seemed really smart and laid back- why can't i think of any names- so naturally Boyd had to run him off and make him go work for Foose, since he didn't "fit in" around there anymore.

AHR and Overhaulin' are cut in the same mold. 20 minutes of actual working on cars, 20 minutes of commercials, and 20 minutes of drama. Why do we watch? Because of the 20 minutes of actual work done on cars. Duane is a piece of work. I keep waiting to read in the LA Times, "a disgruntled former employee of Boyd Cottington returned to his former employer today armed.................". In the LA Times help wanted section the following day, "Immediate opening for a HotRod shop manager. Must be able to yell and belittle employees..."

"Duane is a piece of work. I keep waiting to read in the LA Times, "a disgruntled former employee of Boyd Cottington returned to his former employer today armed.................". In the LA Times help wanted section the following day, "Immediate opening for a HotRod shop manager. Must be able to yell and belittle employees..."

LOL, my thoughts too

I have enjoyed reading the multiple comments from everyone :beers: , and have to agree if he is anything like the TV camera portrays, well how does he keep anyone working for any length of time? I always liked Charlie! I work in Italy and one week they will have Boyd on Discovery channel most of the week and then OverHaulin will be on. I think Chip Foose's cars completed in 7 days are much nicer overall in appearance. Most of the shows are not new ones by the way. On a side note and I still love my camaro's, but today I drove a Ferarri through the hills east of Bologna for about an hour this afternoon. It's a 89 model and was a huge amount of fun! Totally different from anything else I have driven as you need to keep the rascal above 4500 rpm to keep it happy. Amazing how cars get attention everywhere in the world. Oh, sorry for bringing up the F word.
ciao,

I flat don't watch this crap!!

BUT I do have to say the the show(s) that JJ had on with the 6 or 7 OLD-TIME car builder's really impressed me!

B/c to ME JJ humbled himself and said just how much he RESPECTED them!

I want to say that this was the '52 Chevy series build-up??

I flat don't like being conned like I figure they did to eveybody with the Da Vinci crap, what with it making $224 MILLION it's first week out!!

You first tweek interest in it with a cheap BOOK, then you add a little TV FICTION docu-drama! Film next AND wham, you walk away with more money than you can pack.............

I figure our GOV. is being orchastrated the SAME WAY!!

pdq67