#REDIRECT [[Cadzzilla]] {{DISPLAYTITLE:''CadZZilla'' (custom car)}}
{{R from move}} '''''CadZZilla''''' is a [[custom car]] built by [[Boyd Coddington]].
== History ==
Conceived in 1989, ''CadZZilla'' is a customized Cadillac, built for [[Billy Gibbons]] of [[ZZ Top]]. The car's appearance was designed by [[Jack Chisenhall]] and [[Larry Erickson]].<ref name="cp1">{{cite web
| title = Iconic "Cadzzilla" Part of New Exhibit at Saratoga Automobile Museum
| url = http://www.cliftonpark.org/articles/content.asp?MemberID=4268
| deadurl = yes
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110717021255/http://www.cliftonpark.org/articles/content.asp?MemberID=4268
| archivedate = July 17, 2011
| df = mdy-all
}}</ref> It is acclaimed as one of the great expressions of automotive customization.<ref name="hsw1">{{cite web
| title = History of Hot Rods & Customs
| author = The Auto Editors of Consumer Guide
| page = 11
| publisher = Consumer Guide
| date = September 19, 2007
| url = http://auto.howstuffworks.com/hot-rod11.htm
| accessdate = December 12, 2008
}} </ref>
Drawing inspiration from the [[lead sled]]s and [[Mercury Eight|Merc]]s of the 1950s, it was different from anything that had gone before it. ''CadZZilla'' attracted considerable attention. ''Hot Rod''{{'}}s [[Gray Baskerville]] called ''CadZZilla'' "the most incredible transformation he'd ever witnessed",<ref name="cp1"/> and in their "History of Hot Rods & Customs" the auto editors of ''Consumer Guide'' praised it as "the first really new type of custom since the heyday of the 1950s".<ref name="hsw2">{{cite web
| title = History of Hot Rods & Customs
| page = 10
| author = The Auto Editors of Consumer Guide
| publisher = Consumer Guide
| date = September 19, 2007
| url = http://auto.howstuffworks.com/hot-rod10.htm
| accessdate = December 12, 2008
}}</ref>
Coddington's team, led by body man Craig Naff, started with a 1948 [[Cadillac Series 62#Third generation (1948–1953)|Cadillac Series 62 Sedanette]],<ref>Fisher, "Hot Rods You Should Know" at [https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/hot-rods-you-should-know-billy-gibbons-1948-cadillac-cadzzilla/ ''Street Muscle Magazine'' online] (retrieved 16 September 2018); [http://www.amcarguide.com/custom/cadzzilla/ Amcarguide.com] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref> it went (as custom projects do) from mild, as originally proposed by Gibbons, to wild.<ref>Fisher, "Hot Rods You Should Know" at [https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/hot-rods-you-should-know-billy-gibbons-1948-cadillac-cadzzilla/ ''Street Muscle Magazine'' online] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref> The very first sketches were done on a bar napkin.<ref>Fisher, "Hot Rods You Should Know" at [https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/hot-rods-you-should-know-billy-gibbons-1948-cadillac-cadzzilla/ ''Street Muscle Magazine'' online] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref>
The top was [[Custom car#Language|chopped]].<ref>Fisher, "Hot Rods You Should Know" at [https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/hot-rods-you-should-know-billy-gibbons-1948-cadillac-cadzzilla/ ''Street Muscle Magazine'' online] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref> The hood and front fenders were [[Custom car#Language|sectioned]] and combined into a tilt nose.<ref>Fisher, "Hot Rods You Should Know" at [https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/hot-rods-you-should-know-billy-gibbons-1948-cadillac-cadzzilla/ ''Street Muscle Magazine'' online] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref> Headlights were [[Custom car#Language|frenched]].<ref>Fisher, "Hot Rods You Should Know" at [https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/hot-rods-you-should-know-billy-gibbons-1948-cadillac-cadzzilla/ ''Street Muscle Magazine'' online] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref> Headlights were [[Custom car#Language|frenched]]<ref>Fisher, "Hot Rods You Should Know" at [https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/hot-rods-you-should-know-billy-gibbons-1948-cadillac-cadzzilla/ ''Street Muscle Magazine'' online] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref> and late-model Cadillac taillights frenched into the rear fins.<ref>Photos at [http://www.amcarguide.com/custom/cadzzilla/ Amcarguide.com] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref>
The front bumper is fitted with high-mounted [[Hot rod#Language|dagmars]], with a [[Dean Moon|Moon]] tank between them in the grille opening.<ref>Photos at [http://www.amcarguide.com/custom/cadzzilla/ Amcarguide.com] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref>
The engine is a {{convert|500|cid|l|0|abbr=on}} Cadillac V8 with custom-built [[Holley Performance Products|Holley]] [[fuel injection]], mated to a Currie {{convert|9|in|abbr=on}} rear axle.<ref>Fisher, "Hot Rods You Should Know" at [https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/hot-rods-you-should-know-billy-gibbons-1948-cadillac-cadzzilla/ ''Street Muscle Magazine'' online] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref> The exhaust pipes run out through the rear bumper.<ref>Photos at [http://www.amcarguide.com/custom/cadzzilla/ Amcarguide.com] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref>
Springs are [[coilver]]s from [[KONI Group|Koni]], with steering box from a [[Chevrolet Corvette (C4)|1985 Corvette]].<ref>[https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/hot-rods-you-should-know-billy-gibbons-1948-cadillac-cadzzilla/ ''Street Muscle Magazine'' online] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref>
The wheels are a {{convert|22|in|mm|abbr=on}}-diameter [[billet aluminum]] design by Coddington.<ref>Fisher, "Hot Rods You Should Know" at [https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/hot-rods-you-should-know-billy-gibbons-1948-cadillac-cadzzilla/ ''Street Muscle Magazine'' online] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref>
The exterior was finished in deep purple from [[House of Color]].<ref>Fisher, "Hot Rods You Should Know" at [https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/hot-rods-you-should-know-billy-gibbons-1948-cadillac-cadzzilla/ ''Street Muscle Magazine'' online] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref>
''CadZZilla'' cost Gibbons about US$900,000.<ref>[http://www.amcarguide.com/custom/cadzzilla/ Amcarguide.com] (retrieved 16 September 2018);</ref>
''CadZZilla'' is also available as a [[Hot Wheels]] car.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/1998-Hot-Wheels-Legends-Cars/dp/B006AC22JY Amazon.com] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref>
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
*[https://boydcoddingtonsgarage.com/cadzzilla-2/ Boyd's Garage]
{{Kustom kulture}}
{{DEFAULTSORT: CadZZilla}}
[[Category:1980s automobiles]]
[[Category:DIY culture]]
[[Category:Kustom Kulture]]
[[Category:Individual automobiles]]
[[Category:Automotive styling features]]
[[Category:Hot Wheels]]
[[Category:Art media]]
[[Category:One-off automobiles]]
|