When you think of ZZ Top, a few things come to mind: beards, blues riffs, and badass hot rods. Frontman Billy Gibbons isn’t just a rock legend—he’s a full-throttle gearhead with one of the coolest classic car collections on the planet. From custom Caddies to chopped ’33 Fords, Gibbons has turned his garage into a rolling museum of rock history.
Spotlight: The ’33 Ford “Eliminator” Coupe
Few cars in music history are as iconic as the cherry-red “Eliminator.” Built in the early ’80s by Don Thelen at Buffalo Motor Cars (not “Thelan” as originally written), this ’33 Ford three-window coupe drew inspiration from Pete Chapouris’s famous “California Kid.” The Eliminator was powered by a Chevy 350 V-8 engine with a Turbo 350 transmission, complete with valve covers milled with the ZZ Top logo.
The car didn’t just sit in a showroom—it starred in some of MTV’s most memorable videos: “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs.” With its glowing yellow Z-stripes and chopped silhouette, the Eliminator became just as recognizable as Gibbons’s Gibson guitar.
(Image of Eliminator Coupe)
CadZZilla: The Show-Stopping ’48 Cadillac
Next in the lineup is the jaw-dropping CadZZilla. Designed by Jack Chisenhall and Larry Erickson, and brought to life by Boyd Coddington in 1989, this custom ’48 Cadillac is a low-slung, futuristic beast. Under the hood: a massive 500 cubic-inch Cadillac V-8 with custom Holley fuel injection. Auto critics hailed its design as one of the most important custom cars of the era.
(Image of CadZZilla)
Other Gems in His Stable
Billy’s collection doesn’t stop there. Here are just a few more jaw-droppers:
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1932 Highboy Ford: Described as a “go-kart on steroids.”
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1962 “Slampala” Impala: A low-rider dream with air suspension.
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1958 Thunderbird “Mexican Blackbird”: Nods to the ZZ Top track.
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1933 “Whiskeyrunner”: A moonshine-era tribute with modern power.
Why Billy Gibbons Matters in the Car World
What sets Billy apart isn’t just the cars—it’s that he drives them. These aren’t museum pieces. He’s known to cruise LA in CadZZilla or roll up to shows in the Eliminator. His collection blends hot rod culture with rock iconography, making him a unique figure in both scenes.
He even penned a book, Billy F Gibbons: Rock + Roll Gearhead, detailing his rides and the stories behind them.
Join the Conversation
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Want more rock-fueled rides? Stay tuned to MyCarShowRadio.com for interviews, deep dives, and behind-the-scenes peeks at the cars that defined an era.
