In Memoriam
Boyd Coddington 

This Hot Rod Digest Web page will officially launch on 01 March 2010.  The site you are currently viewing is still under construction.  Be patient, and  by March we hope to have all the features fully operational.  We Thank You for your visit.  Come back and see us soon....  'Big Bear'/ Editor

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 The ZZ Top 'Eliminator' Car

 By Barry Hadley

    In 1974 after watching the movie The California Kid,  starring Martin Sheen, Billy Gibbons of the famous Texas rock group ZZ Top, found himself amazed by the 1933 Ford driven by Sheen in the movie. Soon afterwards Billy was able to contact the car owner, Pete Chapouris.
Convinced that he had to have a ’33 Roadster for himself, Billy was ready to proceed.  The only factor left was to find a ’33 Ford Coupe worthy of the project. The search was on for a donor car.  Remember this was in the days before Ebay and Craigs List.
Luck was shining on Billy, he actually found a one owner 1933 Ford Coupe owned by a ‘little old lady’ in Tucson Arizona. A quick trip to Tucson was planned.  Upon arrival Billy was amazed when he saw the absolutely pristine car. The little old lady had bought the car, driven it very little and parked it. Billy bought it and the process began.
The custom work was done by Don Thelen of Paramount. The transform-ation from stock to hot rod took a long five years. The pictures below are a tribute to the car, Billy, Don, ZZ Top and Hot Rod lovers worldwide.
The car appeared in three ZZ Top videos, “Sharp Dressed Man”, “Gimme All Your Lovin”, and “Legs”. The car now resides in the Rock n’ Roll Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.

A 1/24^th scale model of the car was produced under a license by Monogram Model Co.Billy is still an avid ‘gearhead’ and loves showing up to the occasional Barret-Jackson Auction.

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