Boyd Coddington
Boyd Coddington is a creator, a designer, and a visionary of incredible scope who has produced some of hot rod's most commendable, incredible, and derivable automotive artwork.

Vehicles designed and built by Hot Rods by Boyd contain the same quality that was displayed by the coachbuilders of the 1930's and 40's.  Throughout the past 20 years, Coddington has created a trademark design consisting of smooth, seamless lines and extreme attention to detail.

Coddington's passion for hot rods not only propelled Hot Rods by Boyd to international acclaim with cars like the "ZZ Top rod CadZilla" and the $400,000 Aluma-Coupe, but also spurred the development of other hot rod-oriented business endeavors.

Boyds Wheels was the second company to open under the Coddington Companies umbrella in 1987, and today thousands of wheels are sold each year.  Boyd's Steering Wheels and Boyd's Ultra Violet followed in 1991, and a line of performance clothing called Shop Rags entered in 1994.

After recording an unprecedented fifth win for the title of "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" for the DuPont "Smoothster" at the 46th Annual Grand National Roadster Show, Coddington is now considered the undisputed leader in the hot rod industry.

 

Chevrolet Motor Division
In its 85-year history, Chevrolet cars and trucks, bearing the familiar bow-tie logo on the grille, have shaped the culture of the American automotive enthusiast and exerted a profound influence on the great American tradition of cruising.  Chevrolets transcend time and design to make cruising as fun and exciting now as it was in the '50s and '60s.

Corvette's 1953 debut catapulted street performance to the top of the list and that fun-to-drive, kick-in-the-pants attitude remains a key element in all Chevrolet vehicles.  Corvette, the symbol of freedom and personal expression, was used as the star vehicle on television's hit program, Route 66.  Throughout the years, enthusiasts shop Chevrolet for style and performance as they lead the pack down America's roads.

Chevy's innovative small-block V8 engine, now celebrating its 40th year, revolutionized the automotive world when it was introduced in 1955, More than 60 million Chevy's built since then have the same essential engine.  Today, Chevrolet continues the heritage of street performance, sleek designs and new ideas to captivate and enthrall the American driving enthusiast for years to come.

Bobby Troup
Bobby Troup died on February 10, 1999, and a memorial wreath was hung on the plaque honoring the songwriter.  Without Bobby Troup's Lyrics to the famed song "Get Your Kicks On" Route 66, the American tradition of cruising just wouldn't be the same. Troup wrote half the Lyrics to the song traveling in his car on the celebrated Route 66 Highway back in 1946, which was first recorded by renowned jazz musician Nat King Cole.

The song not only captures the spirit of the celebrated highway, but it has paved the way for other related Americana tributes to the "Mother Road" including the 1960's hit television series Route 66.

Transcending all formats of music, the song Route 66 has also been recorded by popular music artists Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Harry James, the Four Freshman, and the Andrew Sisters; rock musicians Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Depeché Mode; country groups Asleep at the Wheel and Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys; and Manhattan Transfer won a Grammy for their rendition of the song.  Nearly 50 performers have recorded the tune, and the list continues to grow.

Ed "Big Daddy" Roth
It was Ed Roth who created the famous Rat Fink-logo'd T-shirts and accompanying custom cars that adorned the pages of monthly magazines such as Hot Rod, Car Craft, and Rod & Custom throughout the decade.

Roth started a revolution in custom car building, creating new and innovative street rods that took the sport to higher levels.  No creation was more significant than Roth's most famous custom, the Rat Fink.  Street rod enthusiasts often point to Roth's "Beatnik Bandit" as his most significant and best custom car "effod." Another fiberglass-based creation, the Bandit was the first bubble-top car and still to this day is often referred to as the wildest hot rod ever built.

Roth's legacy lives on, his T-shirts often reproduced for his fans, and plastic model kits and toy cars of his finest custom creations still are available at any toy store.  An icon of pop culture around the world, Roth's life is documented in his book, "Confessions of a Rat Fink."