When you combine Billy’s love of custom cars and the Latino culture you obviously end up with a Lowrider El Camino. Yes sir. You heard me right… El Camino todo dia, mijo! (El Camino all day, son!)

Billy told us he has had this ‘85, El Camino, for a while and wanted to finish it off, you know, in case he creates a new music video or something. After a quick call to Jimmy Shine at Shine Speedshop in Orange, California, the artistic wheels started turning, literally.

The project began with Billy’s vision of a traditional custom Lowrider featuring classic gold paint, pearl, metal flake, and numerous coats of clear to keep it all together. The El Camino was painted in Pagan Gold and a mixture of other metallics sporting a traditional 70s Lowrider paint scheme. Billy and Jimmy’s never-ending ideas seem to explode like a Texas tornado. The project was underway.

So, as legend has it (or as told to me by Jimmy) he was cruising the barrio in Orange County and came across two discarded miniature shopping carts on the side of the road. Jimmy being the automotive scavenger, had ideas for these mini grocery carts. After some quick fabrication to make them fit in the bed of the El Camino it was off to the chrome shop. Billy and Jimmy both started to refer to the Elky as the low and slow Grocery Getter.

White faux fur and a refurbished cassette player were added to keep the theme going. The interior was finished with Zodiac Gold vinyl with a matching steering wheel so you’ll look “muy guapo” cruising this ride through the barrio. Faux fur was also applied to the custom air tank mounted in the bed, providing air for the air ride suspension. Billy and Jimmy knew that the pneumatic air ride system would be less maintenance than a full hydraulic system that old-school Lowriders run in their classics.

Billy and the band had been working on a new album titled “Hardware”. The album has a hard-driving tune called “She’s On Fire”. Billy knew exactly what the new video would look like.

BILLY AND JIMMY both started to refer to the Elky as THE LOW AND SLOW GROCERY GETTER

Another quick call to Jimmy and the Grocery Getter was on a trailer headed to Joshua Tree, California. I got a call from Jimmy. He said,” Gomez, bring your camera. Billy wants us in Joshua Tree ASAP.”

After a quick meet-up off the 10 freeway, Jimmy and fellow fabricator Branden Johnson headed for  the desert. When we arrived there was a multitude of people we didn’t know. We soon found out this was not just a photo shoot it was the early stages of a full-blown music video.

Jimmy Shine and Branden unloaded the El Camino. Once the Grocery Getter was in place and Eva (the lovely red-haired girl) was ready, the familiar guitar sound of Billy F. Gibbons came bustin’ out, but with a twist. Instead of the bluesy ZZ Top sound, it was grungy with the thumpin’ bass of Austin Hanks and the steady, hard-driving drum beats of Matt Sorum.

A long day of filming under the hot sun was over and the video was a wrap. After some group pictures, hugs, and pats on the back, Billy announced we were all going to the infamous Pappy and Harriet’s in Pioneer Town.

Pappy and Harriet’s is an old 1940-50’s movie set turned modern-day roadhouse with live music, delicious bar-b-que, and hearty food. Pure Americana!

Of course, this all had to end. As we all made our way to our vehicles it was a bit sad to say goodbye. I wanted it to last forever.

When you’re with Jimmy Shine and Billy Gibbons, time stands still. No one wears a watch and the troubles of the world somehow don’t exist. It’s music, custom cars, friends, and good times!

Treat yourself and listen to Hardware. Billy and the band kick ass. And now when you watch the video for She’s On Fire you’ll know how it all came together.

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