Hot rods didn’t stay in the garage once Boyd Coddington got going. They strolled into art galleries and into conversations that had little to do with horsepower. A mix of California polish and mechanical guts, he made the subtle look bold. This collection traces 20 of the most iconic rides to ever roll out of his workshop.

CadZZilla

Commissioned by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, the 1948 Cadillac-based build came together in about six months. Critics didn’t hesitate: it became the most recognized custom of the 1990s. The car also pushed Boyd’s name beyond gearheads into global pop awareness.

Chezoom

Remember the first time seeing something and knowing the rules had just changed? That was Chezoom at the 1992 SEMA Show. Underneath the radical streamlining and bubble top sat the bones of a 1957 Bel Air. A favorite among judges and fans alike, it kicked off a wave of “pro-street” customs.

The Whatthehaye

Whatthehaye is all polished French Art Deco on the outside, but underneath? Boyd stuffed it with a Dodge Viper V10. It was a mahogany-trimmed Delahaye tribute with nearly 500 horsepower. Mixing 1930s glam with brute-force engineering shouldn’t have worked. And yet, it absolutely did.

The French Connection Coupe

Sleek as a sculpture and impossible to mistake, this car turned concours fields into galleries. The hand-formed aluminum body channeled the lines of Bugatti and Delahaye with teardrop fenders and covered wheels. It looked European, but it was unmistakably Boyd. Critics called it one of his most refined works.

Sportstar

A retractable hardtop and digital dashboard brought the 1934 Ford-based Sportstar into another realm. Built as a bespoke creation, its design leaned into performance and comfort. The car featured a fuel-injected Corvette LT1 V8 engine, paired with a 4L60E automatic transmission, giving it modern highway drivability and muscle-car-level acceleration.

Led Zephyr

Boyd’s Led Zephyr began as a 1938 Lincoln, reimagined with a hand-formed body and a 500hp Ford V8. Finished in Char-cool over Mellow Yellow, it featured one-off wheels, Wilwood brakes, and custom tan leather upholstery—becoming one of Boyd Coddington’s most iconic and instantly recognizable creations.

The Aluma-Coupe

With its all-aluminum body and striking mid-engine layout, the Aluma-Coupe pushed boundaries as a one-off concept. Larry Erickson led the design under Boyd’s vision, crafting a car that would go on to inspire future icons, including elements seen in the Plymouth Prowler.

The Silver Bullet

Built for Vern Luce in the late 1970s, this coupe’s ultra-low stance and gleaming silver finish set a new standard in modern hot rod aesthetics. It was featured in magazines like “Street Rodder” as early as 1978. The build marked one of Boyd Coddington’s first major breakthroughs.

The Boyd Smooth Z 

This car broke conventions in all the right ways. Based on a 1971 Datsun 240Z, it was one of the few imports ever reworked by Boyd Coddington’s team. Billet trim and a clean interior gave it concept-car looks, while its low stance and rear-drive layout kept it rooted in hot rod tradition.

Project Z

Project Z roared to life with a twin-turbo engine producing over 1,000 horsepower. Boyd’s team sculpted the 1941 Willys body entirely from scratch, blending drag-strip brutality with show-floor finesse. This beast even got screen time on his Discovery Channel series, “American Hot Rod.”