On this page we like to feature a few of the more unique vehicles that we have appraised recently, collections that we have inspected, interesting stories, where we have been to look at cars, where we are going in the future, cars shows that we will be participating as a vendor, etc.

This page will be constantly changing, so check it out often.

WHAT BOYD CODDINGTON MEANT TO ME

When I started appraising cars back in 1989, right from day one my intention was to build a business that specialized in appraising customized cars, street rods, custom truck etc. I had little interest in working for an insurance company and inspecting two year old mundane family automobiles.

Three years later, in 1992 I finally had enough business to quit my corporate job and go full time into appraising cars. Like anyone trying to get a new business off the ground, I would spend much of my spare time knocking on doors trying to get more work. One of the places that I visited several times was Boyd Coddington’s facility, then in Stanton. He was the ‘Big Fish’, an absolute legend. Appraising for him would be a huge feather in my cap.

After 2-3 years of persistence, back around 1994 or 1995, I really can’t remember which, I got a call from one of Boyds employees. They had just finished building a Red ’32 Ford Sedan, and the owner needed to have it appraised for his insurance company. This was my big chance. I raced right over to their shop on Cerritos Street in Stanton to find the person that had just contacted me.

In an attempt to impress, I dropped off my roll of film at Costco (remember film?) and drove directly home to quickly complete the appraisal. First thing the next morning I rushed the report back to the shop in Stanton. I proudly handed both copies of the appraisal report to the person that gave me the assignment. As I stood their talking to him, going over the appraisal with my new contact, in walked Boyd! He picked up a copy of the report that I had dropped off and sat down. The most important man in Custom Car and Street Rod history was reading the report that I had just delivered.

To say I was nervous, or intimidated is an understatement! Boyd didn’t just flick through looking at the photos of his latest project, he sat there for about 10 minutes and read every single word, cover to cover. He then closed the booklet up, put it back on the counter and said “This is very good”. That was, and probably still is the biggest professional compliment that I have ever received. It’s always nice when someone pays you a compliment, but when your hero, the man that you most respect in the industry that you are desperately trying to be accepted in tells you that your work is very good, that is something that you will never, ever forget.

That was the start of a 13-14 year business relationship. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to inspect and appraise cars like the Smoothster, Cadzilla, Boyd Air, Alumitub, Alumitruck, Chezoom, Whatdahey, Lead Zephyr, all the Boydster II’s and III’s, Max Hemi, Junkyard Dog, the Bud Light Roadster as well as dozens and dozens of his other wonderful creations. In addition to that, my good luck ran even further, I got to know Boyd Coddington. I was also fortunate to get to know Jo and the rest of the gang in La Habra and always looked forward to my next assignment for them and another opportunity to spend some time at the shop, and possibly with Boyd himself.

I never visited his facility in Stanton, or in La Habra when Boyd himself did not go out of his way to walk over to me, shake my hand and ‘BS’ for a little while. He featured me on, and linked me to his website, instructed all of his staff to refer me to anyone that called in need of an appraisal. He even had me flown all the way to Biloxi Mississippi just last year to appraise a Woody that he had just delivered there, telling the customer that I was the only one in the country capable of appraising one of his cars!

There is absolutely no way that I can possibly estimate the amount of business that I have gotten over the years just because I knew Boyd Coddington, and because of the fact that I could brag that I was his appraiser! His friendship and acceptance opened doors for me all over the country that might never have opened otherwise. I only wish that I had had the opportunity to thank him for all of the help and assistance that he gave to me.

Over the years, after closely inspecting so many of this mans creations, I have really gotten to know his work and what made it a true ‘Boyd’ car. These unique touches to me are his trade marks. This has given me a much deeper respect for all of his accomplishments and the caliber of the enormous catalog of show cars that have come out of his facilities over the dacades. He was a true artist in every sense of the word. His creations were pieces of ‘Rolling Art’ that will be around for generations to appreciate and admire in the future.

Have no doubt, Boyd Coddington was the man that turned what was then just a back yard hobby into the multi-billion dollar industry that we are all involved in today. He was also the guy that first realized that a set wheels could be more that a means to hold tires in place, they could become ‘jewelry’ for your car! Hundreds of businesses all across the country that now employ thousands of people would not be in business today if it weren’t for Boyd’s foresight and ingenuity. We all owe him an enormous debt of gratitude.

In any profession or field, there is always one individual that refuses accept things as they are, refuses to think that the norm cannot be improved upon, and take things to a whole new level, someone that sets a new and much higher benchmark than was previously thought possible. In our world, that individual was Boyd Coddington.

Jeff Hyman.
CEO Auto Appraisal Network.

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