My friend, Billy F Gibbons is an artist. A music artist. You might know him from ZZ Top fame. But he is also a car guy too. Now, I have lots of friends who are car guys–in fact most of my friends are car guys. I like hanging out with car guys. They buy tires. And they like what I like. Billy plays a mean blues guitar, and has some outstanding rods and customs including famous icon cars like Kopperhead, CadZilla, and the famous Eliminator Coupe. Billy is a hot-rodder, but he is more than just a music artist, he is a car artist.
Recently he sent me pictures of one of his latest rolling art creations, which he calls a Bus Ball. I thought his creation looked pretty cool, but the more I looked at his newly completed “Bus Ball”, the more I was bothered. So, I sent Billy a message to ask him the obvious question. Where’s the dang tires? Really… a life long tire guy would surely ask that wouldn’t ya think? So, Billy knowing I was funnin’ him, responded that “the Coker skins [wide whites, of course], are stashed in the boot.! Sort of a James Bond arrangement where the tires unfold when required. By the way, the gas mileage is superb and the wind-resistance factor is greatly improved over the original design. “

I was satisfied. I was no longer worried that my friend Billy F Gibbons would do a car art thing (ok, ok… bus ball thing) without thinking of the wide whitewalls. Glad I got that straightened out.
By the way, Billy is finishing up his 1960 Cadillac for a gig at the Houston Rodeo soon. If you see ZZ TOP at the Houston Rodeo say howdy to him from me!
From the road,
Corky Coker


February 1st, 2007 at 11:39 am
Hi - can you contact me. I am a journalist who writes about concept ideas/vehicles?
Many thanks
Clare.
February 11th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
I’m interested… Any relation to the “master of sparks” story/song from Tres Hombres?
–chuck
February 11th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
Im a new car VW dealer in St. Louis MO. Would Billy be interested in selling his Bus Ball?
Thanks
February 12th, 2007 at 3:03 am
VIDEO VIDEO VIDEO!
Seriously, that is the coolest looking vehicle I’ve ever seen. The world has been waiting for that!
February 12th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Now that is just too COOL.
Maybe you can take this Classic VW ball to New Zealand and actually take a ride in it down their slopes!
South Austin, home of the coolest vw busses in town!
February 12th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
The original artist is actually Lars-Erik Fisk.
February 12th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Wicked Cool.
I knew I guy that rolled a VW bus once … but not quite like that.
February 12th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Great art work Corky! Thanks for spreading the word on this and the ‘58 Austin the high scholl girls restored. You really are on the leading edge of getting out the great stories like this, much respect! Please correct the artist you attribute this sculpture to though, I bet Billy would not want to take credit for the work of another artist. We all respect him for the great music, and the many incredible rods he’s commisioned, keeping the great rodders busy making new masterpieces. But give Lars-Erik Fisk proper credit please, he earned it.
For the full story on the origin of the pics you’ve used (Thouis Jones MIT) and the artist, please read http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2007/02/vw-bus-ball-lars-erik-fisk-sculptor.html#links
February 13th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Thanks for the clarification, Jesse. Nice write up…I always love reading your blogs!
February 13th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
I need this to be my flyPod. Thank you.
February 14th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
That is just the cutest damn thing I’ve seen all year.
February 14th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Dippin’ Dots might be a great sponsor of that thing!
February 14th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
All you need now is a 6ft hamster, hours of fun.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:56 am
For more spheres by this artist http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2007/02/more-on-john-deere-tractor-ball-ups.html#links
February 16th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
I am a Talent Buyer for The Big E we are the 9th largest fair in North America. I have an offer on ZZ to play our fair this year. I would live to have the Billy Bus on display at our fair, are you interested?
John Juliano
jjuliano@thebige.com
413 478-9696
February 16th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
I drove a blue WV van from 1972 - 76 and I loved it. I would have loved it even more if it would have looked like this one! Great job.
February 16th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Great art! I saw this Bus Ball at the Burlington, VT Fire House Gallery a few years back when it was displayed with the UPS ball. Even better in person.
February 16th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Totally radical…There are so many creative people out there! Rock and Roll on!!
February 22nd, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Where are the ‘factory installed’ Grateful Dead stickers?
June 16th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
I collect anything VW and had to print a picture of this. The most unique VW item I’ve ever seen!
September 1st, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Hello! we’re interested in featuring this and his other custom car creations in the pages of Hi-Fructose arts magazine, any way you can help, send over photos?
thanks!
Atta
December 1st, 2007 at 3:22 pm
I’m a huge fan of Billy Gibbons and love his other cars. But this one? Really, what’s the point??
June 4th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Yet another VW I’d never be seen driving!
June 17th, 2008 at 5:26 am
Kan ik deze volkswagen ook voor een leuk prijsje inkopen?
July 24th, 2008 at 6:44 am
Hello… we would like to know if this ‘vehicle’ drive.fly or roll…??? I think this car is a one of a kind… And where can we buy it!!!
July 29th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Billy: You are coming to Allentown, PA on August 26. I have a 1940 Ford Deluxe Convertible Street Rod. Would love to show it to you. Can you come for dinner? Jan
August 5th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Can the “Bus Ball” be used to practical driving
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:58 am
Kudos, just wandered in. Not what I was looking for, but neat website. Take care.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:35 am
That is a true masterpiece of art. I wonder what inspired this concept.
January 17th, 2009 at 9:32 am
The wackiest car ive ever seen.Only billey could come up with this.Texas Rangers,Houston Texans,or Dallas Cowboys could use.Coming to Ohio this year?
February 14th, 2009 at 4:39 am
[...] The Volkswagen Bus Ball (via TechEBlog) [...]
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:13 am
Don’t know much about the bus ball, but would love to get you back to Moab. Thanks for the memories of great cars.We met 30 years ago over cars.