What Kind of Car Is on the ZZ Top Album?
A customized 1933 Ford three-window coupe—nicknamed the “Eliminator”—is the car featured on ZZ Top’s album cover. The bright red hot rod, owned by guitarist Billy Gibbons, became an icon through the band’s 1983 album Eliminator and its MTV-era music videos, turning the car into a pop-culture emblem that blended rock music with American hot rod culture.
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The Album and the Car That Became a Cultural Icon
Released in 1983, ZZ Top’s Eliminator helped vault the band into mainstream superstardom, thanks partly to the striking image of a low-slung, candy-red hot rod on the cover. The same car, the Eliminator coupe, starred prominently in the music videos for Gimme All Your Lovin’, Sharp Dressed Man, and Legs—imagery that defined the band’s visual identity through the mid-1980s and cemented the car’s legendary status.
What Makes the Eliminator Special
The Eliminator is not a factory-stock car; it’s a purpose-built hot rod based on a 1933 Ford three-window coupe. Its chopped roofline, de-chromed details, and blazing red finish epitomize classic hot rod styling while reinforcing ZZ Top’s sleek, modern aesthetic during the band’s MTV breakthrough.
Key Facts at a Glance
The following points outline the essential details about the car and its place in ZZ Top’s history.
- Model: 1933 Ford three-window coupe (custom hot rod)
- Nickname: “Eliminator”
- Owner: Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top
- Album association: Featured on the cover of ZZ Top’s 1983 album Eliminator
- Music video appearances: Gimme All Your Lovin’, Sharp Dressed Man, and Legs
- Cultural impact: Became a symbol of the band’s image and a crossover icon for rock and hot rod culture
Taken together, these details explain why the Eliminator coupe remains one of the most recognizable vehicles in music history.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
The Eliminator is often misidentified as a 1934 Ford due to the close resemblance between the ’33 and ’34 models. The car on the cover is a 1933 Ford three-window coupe, a distinction enthusiasts note through subtle styling cues. It is a heavily customized hot rod rather than a stock production car, which contributes to its unique look and enduring fame.
Summary
The car on the ZZ Top album is a customized 1933 Ford three-window coupe known as the Eliminator. Owned by Billy Gibbons, it became a defining visual element of the band’s 1983 Eliminator era and a lasting symbol at the intersection of rock music and American hot rod culture.
What car is on the ZZ Top album?
Anyone familiar with the rock band ZZ Top will know their 1983 smash-hit album Eliminator, and the iconic custom red 1933 Ford coupe, by the same name. The original vehicle was customized in Paramount, California, and was finished in 1983, at the same time as the album.
Where is the ZZ Top Eliminator car today?
the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The original Eliminator now resides at the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where rock fans and hot rod enthusiasts can get a glimpse of the famous ’33 coupe year-round.
What car does the ZZ Top have?
1933 Ford ‘Eliminator’ Coupe.
Who owns the original ZZ Top Eliminator car?
Gibbons still owns Eliminator and the clone of the original car he had commissioned to help meet the demand for all the appearance requests the car and Gibbons got following the car’s initial music video fame.
