I really like watching the shows on Velocity and American Hot Rod is one of them. But, and this is a big but I can't stand all of the bickering and apparent lack of coordination of their projects. Obviously they are VERY talented. But after watching a couple shows I would think twice prior to giving a project to them. I think they need to take all of the positive they have and focus on that. Maybe business is way to good to bother with any criticism but I am just relating my thoughts after watching their show. Having said that, I think they are a group of very talented people.
13 Reviews
A soulless shadow of the far superior 'American Chopper'
Guardian-1111 September 2004
It's pretty obvious that the producers of this show wanted to cash in on the success of 'American Chopper' by giving us a similar show for the car/hot rod fan.
What they failed to give us, however, are the things that make 'American Chopper' so watchable, e.g. the likable, highly entertaining 'characters' who work in the shop, their obvious love of what they do, the beautiful things they create and the (apparently) genuine personal and professional dramas that happen along the way.
As a result, American Hot Rod is nothing but a soulless shadow of the far superior 'American Chopper', and positively painful to watch. There is NOBODY on this show who is in any way likable or entertaining (Boyd, for example, hangs over the series like a soul-sucking, humorless black cloud), no-one seems to enjoy what they do (their every day on the job is a miserable slog), the things they create take WAY too long (in terms of screen time) and are at best ordinary and unimaginative and at worst horrible to look at (the 'Alumatub'? What the heck was that? The drawing was sleek and beautiful, the finished product was an ugly, stunted lump! What happened!?) and the obviously manufactured 'dramas' are just embarrassing.
Shows like 'American Chopper' and 'Overhaulin' are fun to watch, because they feature true artists (with soul, character and real passion) who obviously love doing what they do no matter what the deadline. Boyd 'Mr Misery' Cottington and 'American Hot Rod' both need a huge injection of personality to even get in the same ball park.
Unfortunately, with this crew, that's never going to happen. So until this show moves to another shop, stick with the Tuttles or Chip (the man) Foose...
What they failed to give us, however, are the things that make 'American Chopper' so watchable, e.g. the likable, highly entertaining 'characters' who work in the shop, their obvious love of what they do, the beautiful things they create and the (apparently) genuine personal and professional dramas that happen along the way.
As a result, American Hot Rod is nothing but a soulless shadow of the far superior 'American Chopper', and positively painful to watch. There is NOBODY on this show who is in any way likable or entertaining (Boyd, for example, hangs over the series like a soul-sucking, humorless black cloud), no-one seems to enjoy what they do (their every day on the job is a miserable slog), the things they create take WAY too long (in terms of screen time) and are at best ordinary and unimaginative and at worst horrible to look at (the 'Alumatub'? What the heck was that? The drawing was sleek and beautiful, the finished product was an ugly, stunted lump! What happened!?) and the obviously manufactured 'dramas' are just embarrassing.
Shows like 'American Chopper' and 'Overhaulin' are fun to watch, because they feature true artists (with soul, character and real passion) who obviously love doing what they do no matter what the deadline. Boyd 'Mr Misery' Cottington and 'American Hot Rod' both need a huge injection of personality to even get in the same ball park.
Unfortunately, with this crew, that's never going to happen. So until this show moves to another shop, stick with the Tuttles or Chip (the man) Foose...
This show ruins Boyd Coddingtons name and reputation!
gangerolf-115 March 2008
American Hot Rod is/should be a TV series that is intended to show how to make a quality Hot Rod (or other type of car). This includes everything from the start (the design) to the finished car, and the drama between the employees.
The positive is that we get to see some skilled employees doing their work, and see how cars like this is made (at this scale). But, unfortunately, there is a massive negative overtone over the whole show. I guess much of what I react on, is created to get more action or make it funny.
This is what I react on or get out of the show:
1. Bullying employees (or other people).
2. Exploiting employees (massive overtime and pressure).
3. Not building quality cars (cuttting corners).
4. Running a business badly (lack of control and logistics).
5. Boyd loosing a hard earned reputation.
6. Destroying/chopping original classic cars.
1. Employees is bullied (or shouted at) all the time, and sometimes to the extent that they have to leave or get aggressive. Had this happened in Norway, it would be highly illegal. Roy, an employee, was also made fun of all the time. He died, and still "funny" comments was made of him. No respect, what so ever! Bullying like fat jokes, stupid jokes and deliberately trying to make someone angry, is NOT what I call fun.
2. Setting a time limit for a car (in almost every episode) that is almost impossible to reach, and pressures the employees to work overtime and weekends all the time, is not humane. And extremely stupid if you like to keep your employees and have a good atmosphere at the working place.
3. Because of the short time limits, corners was cut all the time, making the quality of the car suffer. Yes, the cars looked fine outside, but underneath it was mediocre.
4. How to not run a business. Not having the control of the build or making sure of that the parts arrive before the build, created delays and frustration.
5. If Boyd Coddington had a good reputation in making quality cars, it's gone now. Quite simply said! Almost every build in this series show how little focus it was on making the best car possible. The employees commented on this all the time. If I wanted a HotRod, I would never have bought a car with his name on it.
6. And this brakes my, and many others, heart, he destroys/chops good original classics. They have then, for ever, lost their value. I can understand it if it was a original classic that was so bad that it couldn't be restored, but here they destroyed good ones. Another reason to not respect Boyd.
Many of the employees quit because of reasons I have mentioned.
I know that Boyd Coddington has died, but I still stand by what I say. I wish he could have lived and tried to restore his reputation in future episodes of the series, and showed that he (and Dwayne) could treat people good and make high quality cars.
I have followed the series because I like cars and mechanics, but many times at each episode, I strongly react on different elements (mentioned before).
Therefore, I only give it 3/10
The positive is that we get to see some skilled employees doing their work, and see how cars like this is made (at this scale). But, unfortunately, there is a massive negative overtone over the whole show. I guess much of what I react on, is created to get more action or make it funny.
This is what I react on or get out of the show:
1. Bullying employees (or other people).
2. Exploiting employees (massive overtime and pressure).
3. Not building quality cars (cuttting corners).
4. Running a business badly (lack of control and logistics).
5. Boyd loosing a hard earned reputation.
6. Destroying/chopping original classic cars.
1. Employees is bullied (or shouted at) all the time, and sometimes to the extent that they have to leave or get aggressive. Had this happened in Norway, it would be highly illegal. Roy, an employee, was also made fun of all the time. He died, and still "funny" comments was made of him. No respect, what so ever! Bullying like fat jokes, stupid jokes and deliberately trying to make someone angry, is NOT what I call fun.
2. Setting a time limit for a car (in almost every episode) that is almost impossible to reach, and pressures the employees to work overtime and weekends all the time, is not humane. And extremely stupid if you like to keep your employees and have a good atmosphere at the working place.
3. Because of the short time limits, corners was cut all the time, making the quality of the car suffer. Yes, the cars looked fine outside, but underneath it was mediocre.
4. How to not run a business. Not having the control of the build or making sure of that the parts arrive before the build, created delays and frustration.
5. If Boyd Coddington had a good reputation in making quality cars, it's gone now. Quite simply said! Almost every build in this series show how little focus it was on making the best car possible. The employees commented on this all the time. If I wanted a HotRod, I would never have bought a car with his name on it.
6. And this brakes my, and many others, heart, he destroys/chops good original classics. They have then, for ever, lost their value. I can understand it if it was a original classic that was so bad that it couldn't be restored, but here they destroyed good ones. Another reason to not respect Boyd.
Many of the employees quit because of reasons I have mentioned.
I know that Boyd Coddington has died, but I still stand by what I say. I wish he could have lived and tried to restore his reputation in future episodes of the series, and showed that he (and Dwayne) could treat people good and make high quality cars.
I have followed the series because I like cars and mechanics, but many times at each episode, I strongly react on different elements (mentioned before).
Therefore, I only give it 3/10
American Dog-Rod
crystal23tipps28 January 2008
I have to agree with most of the bad comments that have been made on here. Boyd seems like a complete tool and Duane needs to go to some (actually, a lot!) of Anger Management and Normal management classes.
I think my favourite moment was when Tomas told Duane straight up that "everyone needs to hear they are doing a good job once in a while".
Boyd firing Bluebear was ridiculous as he allowed the situation to go that far in the first place. Don't get me wrong, the editing made the Bear look like a complete Job Knockey but it was never tackled properly.
How he dealt with Charlie leaving in order to provide a better life for his family was an absolute joke - Boyd you are such a self-centred A-hole! Charlie tried to explain things to you but you were too busy bleating on about Chip this, Chip that. Shut up and actually LISTEN TO PEOPLE for a change.
Stop overworking your staff. Then follow up one half-arsed project with another one on an even TIGHTER deadline and having the cheek to say that this one will make the staff happy. Yeah i'm sure losing every weekend that exists and working 18 hour days is gonna make them the happiest bunnies on the planet.
I'd never EVER buy a car from you. Not because your team are not talented - they are! But i would firmly believe that you made them rush beyond their capabilities and my car would fall apart when i got it home.
And after the rant, the worst thing is that I still watch the damn program... AARRGHHH!
I think my favourite moment was when Tomas told Duane straight up that "everyone needs to hear they are doing a good job once in a while".
Boyd firing Bluebear was ridiculous as he allowed the situation to go that far in the first place. Don't get me wrong, the editing made the Bear look like a complete Job Knockey but it was never tackled properly.
How he dealt with Charlie leaving in order to provide a better life for his family was an absolute joke - Boyd you are such a self-centred A-hole! Charlie tried to explain things to you but you were too busy bleating on about Chip this, Chip that. Shut up and actually LISTEN TO PEOPLE for a change.
Stop overworking your staff. Then follow up one half-arsed project with another one on an even TIGHTER deadline and having the cheek to say that this one will make the staff happy. Yeah i'm sure losing every weekend that exists and working 18 hour days is gonna make them the happiest bunnies on the planet.
I'd never EVER buy a car from you. Not because your team are not talented - they are! But i would firmly believe that you made them rush beyond their capabilities and my car would fall apart when i got it home.
And after the rant, the worst thing is that I still watch the damn program... AARRGHHH!
How to not run a shop
trapdog11 March 2008
Well one of a few shows on custom build vehicle shops. Born and raised in the states and 12 years as a mechanic before getting a Masters degree and moving into the international business world. I must say this shop is poorly run. Sure nice looking results, but pathetic management, Boyd is a self righteous man who believes because he has a name making "pretty" cars he has some sort of insight into the rest of life. And if he makes a bad decision he is too pig headed to back down and get back on track, instead he makes people work insane hours and questions "teamwork" if they don't agree with him. As for Dwayne (or Duane who ever), a sad excuse for a shop manager. Lots of hot air and tough guy silliness. Basically the whole show gives us insight into nice looking cars being made but it would be much more interesting seeing them progress without half-wits making comments.
What the???
marion-michel3 July 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Let me start off by mentioning to the producers that this show is so bad that I believe I'm the 8th person on this site to take the time to write about it since 2004...this isn't bad, it's frightening...why are you keeping this garbage on the air??????? I'm voting 1 out of 10 because I can't use a negative number to rate it. Look at all the negative comments (shouldn't be too long)and all of them have pretty much said everything that needs to be said about that show.
However I do want to add 2 others. Dwayne...I am amazed that with the way you treat people, no one has ever tried to pop you one in the Chiclets. I would condemn that kind of reaction, but I would understand it...come on, would you take that kind of demeaning, insulting and very often pointless behaviour from your boss? You must be a smart guy...you know what I'm talking about don't you...and if you don't, I wouldn't advertise it. And Boyd.....Great reputation...Got a word for ya "Television", do you want to know what it is??? Because apparently you don't. Aside from the fact that the way you run your business and the kind of work environment you provide are not on the same standard as everyone else, you find a way to bring all that even lower when you open your mouth. Has mentioned in previous comments, you have no clue what so ever on the production time for anything that's being built in there. What is it? Getting information from your client, your shop manager and making a bridge between your clients needs and your employees capacity to provide a safe product with the quality that deserves you NAME within a reasonable time period and leaving a reasonable margin for errors to accommodate life's little problems without making everyone including you, suffer over it...would be way too smart. And then after giving of course a delivery date on a very unrealistic time frame to build the car, you turn around and give your crew your vision on team spirit to repair any damage that your own inadequacies has caused to damage that wonderful race to the dead line. How can you ask anyone who works for you with a straight face "Sure come on, stay and work all night and all week around the clock if you have to, lets face it, you probably don't have a life, and if you do have one I don't really care about it because in case you haven't noticed planning and assessment isn't really a priority in a project for me"...AND YOU OWN THE PLACE...AND YOUR FACE, NAME, REPUTATION and lets not forget QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT AND PROCEDURES are plastered every week on television for all the competition past, present and future to enjoy. After seeing that show, I wouldn't even buy a coffee from you...A good reputation is like anything else...it doesn't last forever, and if you don't listen to what people are saying you'll go down the pipes. I don't like the show nor the way you run things but you don't look like a bad guy and you seem to think once in a while when you're not too busy with your head in the clouds thinking that your name and reputation stand for something and that nothing can tarnish it, well I got news for you Boyd. Turning your back to bad critics is expected but, to not learn from them is criminally stupid. I would imagine that to be that dumb would have to be crime...please don't be it...clean it up and you might have a chance, or don't and take one, we leave it to you.
However I do want to add 2 others. Dwayne...I am amazed that with the way you treat people, no one has ever tried to pop you one in the Chiclets. I would condemn that kind of reaction, but I would understand it...come on, would you take that kind of demeaning, insulting and very often pointless behaviour from your boss? You must be a smart guy...you know what I'm talking about don't you...and if you don't, I wouldn't advertise it. And Boyd.....Great reputation...Got a word for ya "Television", do you want to know what it is??? Because apparently you don't. Aside from the fact that the way you run your business and the kind of work environment you provide are not on the same standard as everyone else, you find a way to bring all that even lower when you open your mouth. Has mentioned in previous comments, you have no clue what so ever on the production time for anything that's being built in there. What is it? Getting information from your client, your shop manager and making a bridge between your clients needs and your employees capacity to provide a safe product with the quality that deserves you NAME within a reasonable time period and leaving a reasonable margin for errors to accommodate life's little problems without making everyone including you, suffer over it...would be way too smart. And then after giving of course a delivery date on a very unrealistic time frame to build the car, you turn around and give your crew your vision on team spirit to repair any damage that your own inadequacies has caused to damage that wonderful race to the dead line. How can you ask anyone who works for you with a straight face "Sure come on, stay and work all night and all week around the clock if you have to, lets face it, you probably don't have a life, and if you do have one I don't really care about it because in case you haven't noticed planning and assessment isn't really a priority in a project for me"...AND YOU OWN THE PLACE...AND YOUR FACE, NAME, REPUTATION and lets not forget QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT AND PROCEDURES are plastered every week on television for all the competition past, present and future to enjoy. After seeing that show, I wouldn't even buy a coffee from you...A good reputation is like anything else...it doesn't last forever, and if you don't listen to what people are saying you'll go down the pipes. I don't like the show nor the way you run things but you don't look like a bad guy and you seem to think once in a while when you're not too busy with your head in the clouds thinking that your name and reputation stand for something and that nothing can tarnish it, well I got news for you Boyd. Turning your back to bad critics is expected but, to not learn from them is criminally stupid. I would imagine that to be that dumb would have to be crime...please don't be it...clean it up and you might have a chance, or don't and take one, we leave it to you.
what a show ...
glidermum14 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know if I will put in a spoiler or not but this show is absolutely the worst and now Boyd has figured out how to get rid of his number one nemesis, Diane, "the ex-wife" by selling off the wheel portion of the shop. He showed his disdain for her every time he could, and his preference of his new wife and never tried to cover it. He bitches about her every time he has a chance. So when she was all misty eyed when the wheel shop moved out what was his comment to her, "Have a good life." I guess I shouldn't expect anything better from this piece of work. He expects his workers to call him god and do every hair brained thing he comes up with. That is one hell of a load for a bunch of adult meant to put up with and work under and then they give up their weekends nearly every week. That's expected for people who own businesses but what employee expects to work 350 days a year? Yes it's more money but it's not their business so why should they give up their life to him? The only guy that made this show worth watching was Roy and he has passed away, too bad. It is absolutely the worst show ever. Not only does it not stack up with American Chopper it doesn't stand up to the cartoons. Boyd has lost so many employees I suspect the producers gave up on him. If so, Hooraayyy! I have since found out that Roy died on a Wednesday. Boyd, the owner, authorized payment to Roy's estate for Monday and Tuesday but not for the rest of the week. His comment, well he didn't work those days. He can't even give the estate the income from those three days Roy missed due to death. Just how "cheap" is Boyd? Not a guy with very many scruples in this watchers mind. Just recently saw Mike on Overhaulin. I have to wonder how many ex-Boydsters are going to be working with groups that have their own television program. hhhhmmmmmmmmm????????????
American Rod, nothing hot about it
slider-914 December 2004
I've seen a few episodes of this and thought in the beginning that it would be like American Chopper, but I was severely disappointed. I won't be watching it again, after the episode I saw last night. The people in this are one dimensional and the mechanic I saw last night spoke in the same monotone the whole time.
Comparing the two series American Chopper and American Hotrod, Boyd seems to have little or no interaction with work in the shop, unlike Senior who is always about the shop checking on the progress of projects and other bits and pieces. For people working with and designing engines, I find it hard to accept that in last nights episode for an Alumatub(?) they could make such a mistake as to mess up the dimensions of the manifold and have to have it welded to fill the gap. I just hope that the car was not going to a customer.
Also there doesn't appear to be the same interaction between the team, that there is on American Chopper. Everyone in American Chopper has no problem with lending their specific talents to a project if they are needed, or indeed giving a hand out when required. In American hotrod they don't seem to interact at all, though there was the play fight to settle a dispute between two team members, one of whom later parted company with the workshop. The fight didn't really serve to do anything other than increase the animosity between the two.
This series should be put out of our misery or come with a health warning.
Comparing the two series American Chopper and American Hotrod, Boyd seems to have little or no interaction with work in the shop, unlike Senior who is always about the shop checking on the progress of projects and other bits and pieces. For people working with and designing engines, I find it hard to accept that in last nights episode for an Alumatub(?) they could make such a mistake as to mess up the dimensions of the manifold and have to have it welded to fill the gap. I just hope that the car was not going to a customer.
Also there doesn't appear to be the same interaction between the team, that there is on American Chopper. Everyone in American Chopper has no problem with lending their specific talents to a project if they are needed, or indeed giving a hand out when required. In American hotrod they don't seem to interact at all, though there was the play fight to settle a dispute between two team members, one of whom later parted company with the workshop. The fight didn't really serve to do anything other than increase the animosity between the two.
This series should be put out of our misery or come with a health warning.
Who else hates this show?
Bobzilla8527 February 2004
I for one do. Its got none of the charm of American Chopper, in fact, it has no charm whatsoever. Boyd whats-his-face comes across as a royal douchebag, as do most of his workers. The remainder of the guys are either seen too rarely or just plain boring. As for the cars, maybe if they'd get a shop that did some more INTERESTING cars, like rebuilds of classic muscle cars, rather than the same looking cars each show then I'd be more captivated...however this is not the case.
If you can't tell by now, I really detest this show and hope to see it canceled to make way for something better than this trite piece of garbage.
If you can't tell by now, I really detest this show and hope to see it canceled to make way for something better than this trite piece of garbage.
Boyd's wives
alfredmcclinton19 December 2006
Why on earth did Boyd dump his first wife for that Jo dame? All she does is walk around looking good and flirting with the employees. Example; when Charlie left, she had to have a closed door farewell session with him. I think Boyd should get back with his first wife, and let the young chick go. And in addition to booting her, he could get rid of those horrid floral shirts. I think that the show would be more interesting if they would just build cars, and dispense with the trite drama. What is the job of the new Black guy? What is his talent? Maybe comic relief? Many people don't like Boyd, but I think he was right when he fired blue bear and Mike.
The proverbial "Takes advantage of successful and much better Classic" Show
Sadist918 February 2005
Most people that have heard of American Chopper, you know, Paul Teutel Sr. And Jr. making Custom Bikes might have heard of this show, the show that is known so well in many ways as something like "It's just a ploy taking advantage from the success of American Chopper to get Money".
That is probably true, but this show is just a little fleshier, it has more to it. One thing, the second-worst thing about this Television show is the DRAMA. It's so scripted it's tedious. I mean, we just see them going on and on, not really building bikes, people get fired, and in between that they find some run-down piece of **** and rebuild it. It could be said that the reason for all of this trashy melodrama is because a Car takes so much longer to build than a Chopper, therefore they have to get people to bite, taking advantage of the oh so annoying Melodrama spawned from the evil known as Fox's reality shows.
What I mean by this show is that it is a hate it for it's knock-off, take advantage of success of American Chopper, and scripted melodrama, or like it for the fact they build cars. It won't last for the reasons of hating, but hey... it could... do... some good... some day... maybe... later.
That is probably true, but this show is just a little fleshier, it has more to it. One thing, the second-worst thing about this Television show is the DRAMA. It's so scripted it's tedious. I mean, we just see them going on and on, not really building bikes, people get fired, and in between that they find some run-down piece of **** and rebuild it. It could be said that the reason for all of this trashy melodrama is because a Car takes so much longer to build than a Chopper, therefore they have to get people to bite, taking advantage of the oh so annoying Melodrama spawned from the evil known as Fox's reality shows.
What I mean by this show is that it is a hate it for it's knock-off, take advantage of success of American Chopper, and scripted melodrama, or like it for the fact they build cars. It won't last for the reasons of hating, but hey... it could... do... some good... some day... maybe... later.
I can't believe I'm addicted to this show
dans_la_lune6 September 2005
It's true however. The personalities, at first, did not really appeal to me, rather I enjoyed watching the division of labor among the skilled tradesmen. I always felt that the world has no use for a man without experience, and some of these guys have a lot of experience through their years of specialization.
Since I'll never be accused of socialism, the appearance of wealth is also magnetic on some level unaffected by social criticism.
What kind of took me by surprise is the undiminished enthusiasm with which the guys transfer their shop squabbles into an international sphere (TV). Dwayne and Mike, especially, project strong personalities. Boyd just seems abrasive.
Since I'll never be accused of socialism, the appearance of wealth is also magnetic on some level unaffected by social criticism.
What kind of took me by surprise is the undiminished enthusiasm with which the guys transfer their shop squabbles into an international sphere (TV). Dwayne and Mike, especially, project strong personalities. Boyd just seems abrasive.
Great Show
johnchas4 March 2005
This truly is a great show. Coddington is the J.R.Ewing of the southern California Hot Rod business and there is never a dull moment. Each custom hot rod build spans 3 or 4 shows each of which is interesting and filled with some unique people. I believe there may be some pressure from the Discovery channel to set deadlines on the car builds that makes for a more interesting show. In reality even if a car is "rushed" for the sake of the show it will be detailed later to be sure it meets or exceeds Boyd's high standards. The Coddington cars built on American Hotrod are even more valuable than a regular Coddington custom and are bringing excellent profits for the primary customer Scotty Gray when he auctioned a few at the Barret Jackson Auction in Feb 2005. Boyd is character himself with his current wife and ex-wife both working there at the shop there is always some tension in the air.
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