I grew up in Modesto, California. The home of American Graffiti, by default, I know about old school cars. Now, my parents were from San Francisco, alive and well during the golden age of lowriders. I remember my mom telling me about her beautiful T-Bird.

During my pre-teen and teen years, this meant being dragged against my will to car shows. In my moodiness, I’d walk away from everyone and go check out the detailed paint jobs. Pristine shine and beautiful heinas on the hoods. It always reminded me of Viking and pirate ships with the sculpted women on the front. I hated going, but once I was alone, I came to love these moments to be in awe. 

As I got older I realized, this is ours. This little piece of my Latino American culture is something I love and can identify with. No one can take this away. It finally registered to me as an adult, that I saw Latinos being admired and emulated instead of shamed. Especially seeing Latinos that may not have been first generation. Or Latinos who were stereotyped as criminals were actually intelligent and talented artists. Like a doctor to a body, they knew every car part and trick to make it run…suavecito. They used color to make each ride unique with or without murals. To my surprise, I was like them. They wanted a culture to identify with that prided their roots and their American-ness.

Now that I live in the Los Angeles area I see this culture even more. It all started here.

Back in the 1940’s when the speed of hot rods wasn’t of much interest, the lowrider was born. They altered traditional Fords making them lower, longer, and smoother. By the 60’s this trend faded out and many other races grew interested in flashier cars. However, the Chicano culture stuck to it, using their beautiful minds to bypass car regulations and in turn created something playful and forever loved. They flip a switch and the car goes up. Once the police passed, back down it goes. Speaking to the cleverness of the Latin American culture. Forever refusing to be put in a box. We always find a way to rise above standards, always with humor and sexiness.

From the 1940’s to the present day, cars are a major part of the Latin American culture. What began with Mexicans in the east area of Los Angeles has been a unifying factor for generations of all Latinos. Descendants of Nicaraguans, Guatemalans, Hondurans, Salvadorians, and many more have all had a piece of this lifestyle. Music and movies have been dedicated to this sector of Latino culture and it’s a glorious thing.

Next time you see a lowrider, know that magnificent piece of art, no matter how simple or detailed, deserves respect.