Boyd Coddington Dies at 63

Boyd Coddington, the renowned hot-rod innovator, died Wednesday morning. He was 63 years old. The cause of death has been undisclosed.

Coddington's creations won the coveted Grand National Roadster Show's America's Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) trophy a record six times.

Coddington was known best nationwide from his involvement in the hit cable TV series "American Hot Rod."

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Coddington grew up in rural Idaho and moved to Southern California. There, he began a career that has had its highs and lows over the years.

His cars have won the "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" award seven times. He is a mamber of the Grand National Roadster Hall of Fame, the National Rod & Custom Museum Hall of Fame, the Route 66 Wall of Fame and the Street Rod Marketing Alliance Hall of Fame.

He was named Hot Rod magazine's Man of the Year in 1988. One of his vehicles was also the only hot rod ever displayed on the cover of Smithsonian magazine.

CP