The Top U.S. Hot Rod Builders Past and Present
If you are looking to build a custom hot rod, it can be helpful to look at what has been done before. Assembled below is a collection of legendary hot rod builders and some of the cars that made them famous. Some are whimsical, some are straightforward and simple, some focus on power, and others on looks. Whatever your agenda is in building a hot rod, take a look through these builders to familiarize yourself with the various styles and techniques that have made hot-rodding what it is today.
Boyd Coddington
Coddington distinguished himself by creating simple yet elegant hot rods. His trademark was smooth lines and simple paint jobs: reserved but innovative nonetheless. He wasn't just a designer; he also had a thorough knowledge of machining. He combined his sharp eye for design and intimate knowledge of his materials to consistently create unique hot rods with parts not to be found anywhere else. One of his most famous cars is the Cadzilla built for ZZ Top singer Billy Gibbons. Coddington passed away in February of 2008. (Boyd Coddington History)
Darryl Starbird
Darryl Stardird is best known for his futuristic vision of the hot rod. His signature look is the bubble top reminiscent of the flying vehicles in the Jetsons. The first bubble top car that he built, and the one that remains famous to this date, is The Predicta. Built from a wrecked Thunderbird, this car was build with a variety of unusual elements such as the clear Lucite bubble top, a passenger television, stick steering in the center console, and gas and brake pedals on both the passenger and driver side. Today Starbid keeps his collection in the National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame that he operates northeast of Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Darryl Starbird)
Chip Foose
Chip Foose is a relative young gun in the hot rod scene since he was born after the golden era of the 1950s. Nonetheless, he has already been inducted to Darryl Starbird's National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame. Foose worked his way through the ranks at Coddington's shop before eventually starting his own shop in Huntington Beach, California. Since then, his custom work has become well known to the TV viewing public who watched him on TLC's Overhaulin'. Some of his most well-known projects include the Hemisfear and the Boydster. (Chip Foose)
George Barris
The self-appointed "King of Kustomizers" has had a long and varied career. He began customizing cars with his brother Sam while still in high school, and together they created the legendary Hirohata '51 Merc in the early '50s. After winning national acclaim in the hot rod circuit, he caught the eye of Hollywood movie producers and was brought on to create some of the most memorable cars on the big screen such as the Batmobile and the Munster Coach. Today he works out of his shop, Barris Kustom Industries, in North Hollywood, California. In 2010 he worked with Chevrolet to customize a new Camaro SS. (Barris)
George Poteet
Primarily a racer, George Poteet has an extensive collection of hot rods that is well worth surveying. As a record-breaking racer, Poteet also channels that drive for excellence into his custom hot rods. His cars maintain a reserved but powerful look. He often collaborates with other famous hot rod builders to create one-of-a-kind cars that adhere to his lean and mean aesthetic. He is a big fan of early '60s Fords, as can be seen in this slideshow of his collection. Also, for those interested in building a deuce coupe hot rod, check out this '32 Roadster Pickup he created with street rod builder Roy Brizio.
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