ZZ Top’s famous red “Eliminator” is Billy Gibbons’s customized 1933 Ford coupe. Built for him by Buffalo Motor Cars in Paramount, California, in the early 1980s, it became a band icon through the cover of ZZ Top’s 1983 album Eliminator and the videos for “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs.”
What is the ZZ Top car?
The Eliminator is a chopped, customized 1933 Ford coupe commissioned by ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons. Gibbons said Buffalo Motor Cars in Paramount, California, built it for him in the early 1980s. He traced its look in part to the movie car from The California Kid, and said he wanted a hot rod “for the road.” Gibbons’s 2017 interview describes the car and its origins.
Rhino’s 2021 retrospective describes the custom red coupe as having a Corvette engine; that detail is attributed to Rhino, rather than treated as a complete specification of the build. The available accounts do not establish a full parts list or chassis specification. Rhino’s account of Eliminator and the Museum of the Gulf Coast’s ZZ Top entry identify it as a 1933 Ford coupe.
How the car became ZZ Top’s signature
The coupe’s fame grew with the album that took its name. Eliminator was released on March 23, 1983, and its artwork placed the bright red Ford at the center of the record’s identity. Rhino describes the car as central to the album cover and its video imagery. Gibbons’s official-site history and Rhino’s retrospective both give the album’s release date.
#1 Best Overall
- Never Let a Dead Battery Ruin Your Drive. The LISEN 4 in 1 Retractable Car Charger delivers reliable power for your entire journey. Compatible with standard 12V cigarette lighter sockets, it keeps phones, tablets, and devices charged during daily commutes, road trips, and long drives — the perfect practical gift for dads, truck drivers, and anyone who lives on the road.
- Daily Driver Essential: Always Ready When You Need It. Featuring two retractable cables ( USB C & Old iPhone Charging Cable ) that extend up to 31.5 inches and dual USB ports, this charger solves cable clutter while charging up to 4 devices simultaneously. Ideal for busy fathers, commuters, and families who want a tidy car and never worry about low battery again.
- Deliver full-speed PD fast charging for iPhone 18 Pro Max & iPhone 18 Pro Max & iPhone 18 Pro right inside your car. The built-in 45W PD USB-C port hits the peak charging speed for these latest iPhone models, juicing up your phone to 50% power in just 15 minutes while you drive.(Note: Maximum 45W PD output is available under 24V vehicle power supply. When used with standard 12V car sockets, the peak output is limited to 36W.)
- Standard 12V Power Solution: Designed as a dedicated USB power supply for charging devices. Note: Does NOT support CarPlay, Bluetooth, or data transfer. Compatible with most phones, tablets, and small electronics. This retractable charger is a core car organization tool, keeping your vehicle tidy. Not compatible with Micro-USB devices.
- Clutter-Free Tech Organization: Featuring dual USB ports and retractable cables, the LISEN 4 in 1 charger provides a clean car storage solution. Perfect for truck enthusiasts or as a thoughtful gift for drivers, it supports fast USB-C charging for devices like the iPhone 18Pro & iPhone 18 ProMax. Keep your vehicle organized while ensuring efficient power delivery for all your tech on the road.
The car also appeared in videos for three of the album’s best-known singles: “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs.” The videos connected the hot rod to a distinct visual world of sharply dressed performers, confident characters, and a sleek red car. That imagery helped make the coupe recognizable beyond car enthusiasts as ZZ Top’s MTV-era calling card. The band’s official film-site biography identifies those three songs as prominent video singles from the album.
The album’s sound added to the change in image. ZZ Top retained its blues-based guitar identity while bringing synthesizers and dance-oriented rhythms further into the mix. The band’s official biography describes Eliminator as a major shift in the group’s approach. Gibbons’s official site reported in 2018 that the album had sold more than 10 million copies; that is the figure in that dated account, not a newly verified sales total.
Rank #2
- High Quality Material: The coaster is made of environmentally friendly silicone, safe, non-toxic and odorless. Soft with toughness, easily embedded in the cup holder. Very durable, wear-resistant, long service life. High temperature resistance, can withstand 100 ℃ high temperature water cups.
- Wide Compatibility: The coaster has a diameter of 3.15 inches and a height of 1.18 inches, which is widely used in most vehicles, such as SUV, sedan, MPV, etc., as long as the size fits your car cup holder.
- Protection Function: Our car cup holder coaster has a carry handle design and a stand-up ring edge on its edge to effectively prevent food crumbs, drinks and water from leaking out and preventing the car cup holder from getting dirty.Meanwhile,Thickened design effectively prevents the cup holder from being scratched by the cup when driving on bumpy roads and eliminates the annoying thumping sound, making your journey more enjoyable.
- Easy to Use and Clean: With embedded installation, you just need to put it flat on the car cupholder. It is also very quick to remove, there is a small bump on the coaster, pinch it and you can easily remove the coaster. It is very easy to clean, rinse with water or wipe with a wet towel (be careful not to clean with sharp tools).
- 100% Satisfaction: Our products have quality assurance, if you have questions or are not satisfied after receiving the product, don't worry, please contact us as soon as possible, we provide after-sales service.
Who built the Eliminator?
Gibbons credited Buffalo Motor Cars, based in Paramount, California, with building the chopped coupe for him in the early 1980s. His account links the design inspiration to The California Kid and the broader custom-car tradition. The cited sources do not provide enough detail to establish every component, the exact completion date, or a comprehensive list of everyone involved in the build.
Does Billy Gibbons still own the car, and where is it now?
In a 2017 interview, Gibbons said he still owned and drove the car, describing it as “friend on wheels” and saying it remained fully operational. That establishes what he said at the time, not his ownership or the car’s condition today. The interview was republished on Gibbons’s official site.
Rank #3
- ✅【Designed for Magsafe】 - The most fashionable iphone car mount in 2026 Magsafe is designed for iPhone 18 Pro Max/17/16/15/14/13/12 Pro Max Mini and official Magsafe cases and other magnetic phone cases and can be fixed directly to these phones without the need to affix metal plates. All Android Phones Will Work: Metal rings are provided; they fit cases and other phones without magsafe. Based on Unique Grandmaster Design (Protected by US Design Patent No. US D1,112,194 S)
- ✅【STRONG MAGNETIC MagSafe Car Mount】 - This powerful magnetic phone holder can create a powerful attraction that firmly supports your device while allowing you to drive without distraction. it easily and securely holds your phone through bumps, sharp turns or even sudden stops, no worrying of dropping your phone.
- ✅【SUPER STICK FORCE】 - VHB Dash Mounted Holders adhesive provides strong stick force between the dashboard and the car phone holder, which can firmly stick to any plane in the car, fix your device, adapt to a variety of road conditions such as sudden braking, speed bump, and rugged mountain road.
- ✅【SAFE DRIVING VIEW】 - Mini-size, not taking up space, it is placed in the dashboard without blocking the view at all, and does not need to look down at the device to ensure your safe driving. Cell Phone Car Mount is suitable for most cars, pickups, SUV, taxi; It is the best assistant for Uber and Lyft drivers
- ✅【360° FREE ROTATION】 - With an adjustable swivel ball joint, you can rotate your smartphone or device at your own will, providing the best viewing angle. Quickly pick and place with one hand, free your hands and make calls and GPS navigation more convenient
A 2016 Louder article reported that the car was on permanent exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. That historical report does not confirm the car’s current location or whether it is currently on view. Check the Hall of Fame’s current collection information or contact the museum before planning a visit. The Louder article is the source of the earlier display report.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the Eliminator still matters
The Eliminator is more than a custom Ford associated with a rock band: its appearance tied together an album, a run of memorable music videos, and ZZ Top’s visual identity. The car’s story is also distinct from the many scale models or replicas that may evoke it; the sources cited here document the original coupe, not a particular licensed collectible or model kit.
Rank #4
- Buyer's Guide: The seat guard for car seat between seat & console measures 15.75*2.7*1.53", suitable for gaps of 1.43-1.53" in width, please double-check carefully the distance between your seat and the center console before placing an order
- Storage and Filling in One: Differ from traditional single-function gap fillers, gap filler for car incorporates storage function, offers you the convenience of storing phones and various other items, so that you can access them at any time while driving
- Avoid Items Slipping: With the bumps and vibrations of the car, phones, keys may fall into the seat crevices, which is difficult to pick up, and distracts the driver's attention. Car gap seat filler fills gaps seamlessly to create an effective barrier
- Easy to Install: Car side seat gap filler is easy to install, simply insert it into the gap between the seat and the center console, gap seat filler for car can fit tightly without affecting the normal adjustment of the seat and the use of the seat belt
- Premium Material: Crafted from premium EVA material, our car seat side gap filler boasts a combination of wear-resistant, softness&durability. Maintenance is effortless, simply rinse and wipe to quickly clean the dust and debris in corners and crevices
For readers interested in Gibbons’s wider car collection and stories, his book Rock + Roll Gearhead includes the Eliminator among the cars and features photographs and memorabilia, according to the official book announcement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 🔰 UPGRADED SIDE STORAGE DESIGN - Our console cover is thinner than the old one, universal for all seasons. There is an 8.66*5.12 inch storage pocket design on each left and right side, expanding the storage space, convenient and practical. Meet the storage needs of the main passenger seat, you can store your cell phone, keys, tissues, ID and some other small daily items.
- 🔰 PREMIUM MICROFIBER LEATHER MATERIAL - This car center console cover is made of quality microfiber leather material, soft and skin-friendly touch. Exquisite and fashionable diamond shaped stitching, every detail is in place. Inside the car center console cover is made of thickened memory foam, even after squeezing, it can slowly recover to its original shape.
- 🔰 RELIEVE DRIVING FATIGUE - The arm rest cover for car adopts ergonomic design, giving just the right amount of arm support, effectively dispersing elbow pressure and relieving driving fatigue. Protect your car's center console from getting dirty or scratched. Especially suitable for long time driving or long distance traveling, bringing you a new experience of relaxation and comfort!
- 🔰 NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSTALLATION - This car console cover is designed with an elastic band for a firm fit and not easy to shake. And the back side is full of protruding dots, which can effectively avoid the armrest cover from slipping and shifting. All you need to do is to open the center console cover, put the elastic band directly into the cover and then close it.
- 🔰 BUYER'S GUIDE - You will receive a car armrest storage box with the size of 12.13*7.80 inch, please measure the size of your car's armrest storage box before you buy. We have prepared five simple and beautiful colors for you, you can choose according to your own preferences. Suitable for most of the vehicles on the market, such as car, truck, SUV, RV, van, etc.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
