More Than Just a Pumpkin

Aside from being the nice and shiny “pumpkin” sandwiched between your rear wheels, the rearend on your car plays a vital role in transferring engine power to the wheels of your vehicle. Inside that “pumpkin” is the differential and inside it contains the one essential part of your drivetrain that provides the final gear reduction, thus slowing down the rotational speed of your tranny before it hits the wheels.

So is that all it does? Not really. There’s much more to it. Your rearend also transfers the power to your wheels all the while allowing them to rotate at “different” speeds—which is why it’s called a “differential.” So why is this necessary? Well, it’s needed because each wheel travels at a different distance through a turn. The inside wheels will always travel a shorter distance than the outside wheels and since speed is equal to the distance traveled, divided by the time it takes to go that distance, the wheel that travels the shorter distance needs to do so at a lower speed in order to make an effective turn.

Once you realize just how important the rearend is, it becomes quite obvious that you need a rearend that’s both reliable and fool proof because the last thing you want is your car failing on a cruise only to be left sitting there waiting for a tow truck or even worse, getting into an accident. That said, when it comes time to get a rearend, look no further than Currie Enterprises.

Our Selection

For this particular application, we chose to go with Currie’s aluminum 9-inch housing assembly, which we ordered with the factory-polished option. Once we took delivery of the unit, the first thing we did was send it off to Engrave it, where Artie Barajas applied a diamond cut on the edge of the housing fins. The addition of the diamond cuts gives the casing a simple yet sophisticated look and on each end of the differential casing you’ll also find 3×0.188-inch wall axle tubes that are welded to the housing, which makes them stronger and less prone to breakage.

Backed by History

If the visual appeal of their work doesn’t get you, then their work history will. Frank Currie began designing and building differentials for material handling equipment back in 1959, and their list of accomplishments and accolades are long. In addition, Currie rearends are common site on the world’s best builds, regardless if it’s for 4x4s, hot rods, lowriders, or race vehicles.

Today Currie Enterprises occupies a 40,000-square-foot complex in Corona, California. They now have nearly 50 employees and boast a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Currie designs, builds, modifies, tests, sells, and install rearend and drivetrain products all under one roof. From humble beginnings and a dream of Frank and Evelyn, Currie has become the most recognized name in specialty rearends and components and they’ve backed up their reputation decades on in.

The Install

In the pictorial, you’ll find some pictures of the unit being assembled at Currie as well as some images of it being installed onto the frame. We didn’t do a step-by-step pictorial because the install is pretty simple and straightforward, but we do advise that it should be done only if you have the necessary help, tools, and know-how.

*Prior to installing the control arms, Panhard bar, and shocks, we replaced all bushings with polyurethane units from Energy Suspension. In all, it’s about a 20-minute install if you have all the necessary tools and helping hands.

The chassis is raised off the floor.

The installation of the lower controls arms.

Installation of the rear shocks.

The rear differential is then lifted up and bolted into place.

Immediately after we install the panhard bar.

Rearend with panhard bar installed.

Cylinder and coil installed to the lower control arm.

View of both rearend with lower control arms, rear shocks, rear differential, panhard, cylinders, and coils installed.

Preparing to install disc brakes.

Installation of dust shield.

Installation of disc brakes.

Now that you have a better understanding of your rearend, it’s time to get to wrenching, and we wish you all the best in your next build. Our tech articles are dedicated to educating our readers about the importance of the components of your car and it’s what makes building them that much more exciting as well as interesting.

The post Currie Enterprises Rearend appeared first on Lowrider.

Even in this day and age of open-mindedness and social awareness, there are still many cultures overshadowed and haunted by negative, age-old stereotypes. Of the many cultures that continue to be judged or perceived on the basis of false or dated misinformation is the culture of lowriding. Typically pigeonholed as vehicles for gangsters and the mode of transportation for the underworld, lowriding has long been at the receiving end of negative press.

That said, the mission for creating “Roll Models” is to introduce 5-6 minute video segments, sponsored by Shell Lubricants featuring Quaker State Motor Oils, which will teach the masses otherwise. The purpose of these segments is to highlight and expose the true beauty of the personalities behind lowriding. We want to share our culture, spread the love, and above and beyond everything, we want to share the stories of the men and women who own, not only build, and drive these incredible vehicles, and influence the world in their own special way.

Lowriding is a labor of love that takes years to complete and these are cars that are typically passed on from one generation to the next. In short, they become part of the family lineage and tradition. The personal relationship between car and owner is one that represents a culture that revolves around family. Yet, these six-figure builds are being orchestrated by individuals whose occupational history and significance is as rich and vivid as the paintjobs on their cars, and that is what we want to showcase.

We will be featuring lowrider owners who are sworn officers, entertainers, and athletes and included in this long list of stand-up individuals are CEOs and CFOs of some of your favorite destination points. They are leaders in the community who fight for our freedom and some simply just work hard for their money, but in the end what ties them together is the unity of our car culture and the desire to give back to the community.

The reach of each segment is one that is sure to go viral. It is also an important vessel of communication that will open the eyes of car lovers globally. From longtime readers to those interested-but always embarrassed-to admit their appreciation of lowriders, these video segments will erase the marks of ignorance and shed light on the overshadowed world in which we have a multi-cultural love affair with our cars and the lifestyle that stands behind it.

It’s lights, camera, action, as we introduce our first upcoming “Roll Models” series candidate, Steve Alvarez-Mott who is a Los Angeles native. He has been a proud member of the Groupe Car Club for over four decades. Steve rolls around town in a convertible ’58 Impala and he is also the owner of a legendary Pontiac that has been displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum. When it comes to Inspiration, you will witness why Steve truly delivers as a great example of what a true LOWRIDER Roll Model should be.

The Roll Models video series will feature a new hero every month and we will introduce the next candidate right here in LOWRIDER magazine.

The post Roll Models appeared first on Lowrider.

After graduating high school, Emmanuel Ramos, of Paramount, California, purchased this ’89 Chevy Silverado.”I bought it from a friend in Compton who just had it sitting there because I needed some type of transportation,” Ramos says. “Since it was my first car, I wanted to customize it a little.” He ended up painting the truck tangerine, customizing the interior, and adding 24-inch wheels. He then began seeing Swift Car Club on social media and videos of them on YouTube. The club caught his attention and he approached them to see what the requirements were to join them. With an already-customized truck, it didn’t take long for him to become a full-fledged member. Having a truck that meets Swift club standards wasn’t enough for Ramos. He wanted to take it to the next level but knew it would take time to get there.

His next move was to have MCA Customs in Bell Gardens, California, fiberglass the bed of the truck and install a massive sound system. They installed a Kenwood double deck, Hifonic amps, Alpine mids, Kicker subwoofers, and molded several TVs. California Upholstery in Bell Gardens, California, wrapped the bucket seats in beige leather with orange piping. The interior was accented with engraved Plexiglas by Speedy’s Polishing in Long Beach, California. Ramos then had the frame candy painted to match the truck and sent off the rest of his undercarriageto Mendoza Polishing in Santa Fe Spring, California, to have it dipped in chrome. A year later, the truck went into Capitol Auto Collision in Long Beach where they installed an ’11 Cadillac Escalade front clip, shaved thedoor handles/tailgate, added the sunroof, and mid ’90s Cadillac taillights. Ricardo Gomez then sprayed the House of Kolor candy tangerine. Skippy Custom Paint in Paramount, California, added the patterns and stripping. Ramos has been working on the truck since joining Swift in 2009 and finally finished it in July of 2015.

Ramos is happy with the way the build came out, but taking Third Place for Best of Show at a major show put him through the top. He is planning to leave the truck as is and making time for his next project, a ’73 C10.

1989 Chevy Silverado

Vehicle Nickname
Swift 28

Owner
Emmanuel Ramos

Club
Swift

City
Paramount, CA

Engine
5.7 Vortec engine from a ’97 Chevy Tahoe

Upholstery
Leather

Suspension
Candy painted frame, chrome undercarriage

Body/Paint
House of Kolor candy tangerine

Sound System
Kenwood double-deck touch-sceen with Kicker 15-inch L7 subwoofers, Alpine 6×6-inch mids, and three Hifonic amps

Wheels/Tires
28-inch DUB with Diablo 295/25z/28 tires

The post 1989 Chevrolet Silverado – Swift 28 appeared first on Lowrider.

Isaac Villagrana a member of Southern Royalty Car Club and his wife, Diana, saw babies in Taylor Tot strollers while she was pregnant with Novely Gema and they decided to build one. They looked online and found one for $200 on eBay. “It was in really bad condition but it had potential,” Isaac says. Guillermo, the grandfather of Novely, helped her parents build the stroller.

The first stop for the stroller was at Sik Fabrications in Corona, California. There it received the multi-color paintjob with pinks, reds, and purples. Sik Fabrications laid the pattern with fades and fans while adding separation with white lines. The stroller parts then went to Mike Lamberson of Draggin Lines in Moreno Valley, California. Mike highlighted the outside of the patterns by adding gold leafing. He also added multiple pinstripe designs with pink, lavender, and gold leafing. Everything that wasn’t painted was sent out to A&B Polishing in Upland, California, to be freshly chromed out.

“Novely was growing so fast that we started getting concerned that she would outgrow it before the stroller was done,” Isaac says. “The first day she got on her little ride she couldn’t stop smiling and screaming, it was perfect,” Diana says.

1950S taylor Tot

Nickname
Gema

Owner
Novely Gema Villagrana

City/State
Anaheim, CA

Club
Southern Royalty

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One of the largest car shows in central Florida is massively supported by hundreds of lowrider show cars and car clubs from all over the surrounding areas, including the Carolinas. The Plant City Festival Grounds is the place to be when it becomes surrounded by a massive lowrider supporting attendance.

Only the best rides take home the trophies and cash prizes from this show, but the real winners from this special event were the less fortunate kids at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, as the show’s proceeds were donated toward their worthy cause.

The post 2015 Firme Estilo appeared first on Lowrider.

The world has lost an industry pioneer and a great, beloved man. Frank Currie passed away on the evening of 3/2/16 of natural causes in Yorba Linda, California with his family at his side. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Evelyn, his 4 sons, Charles, John, Raymond and Andy, as well as a large extended family.

Frank was born in Anaheim, California in 1929 and was one of 5 children. He was heavily involved in the early years of hot rodding, building Model A’s and T’s with overhead converted engines. Frank was known early on as the engine conversion go-to-guy. Frank was from a different time and a different generation. A time of innovators and entrepreneurs. A time when building hot rods was actually hard work and information and parts were scarce. He competed at the original Santa Ana Drags as well as lakes racing at Muroc and El Mirage. Being born in Southern California, Frank saw and did everything hot rodding’s early days had to offer.

Frank is a Korean war era veteran where he was stationed in Oklahoma in the Airforce as an aircraft mechanic. Following his service, Frank went to work at Taylor-Dunn Manufacturing in Anaheim, California. This is where Frank met his wife, Evelyn. They were married in early 1955 and immediately started a family.

Frank eventually became the foreman of the Taylor-Dunn shop where he realized an ever growing need for rear differentials to be adapted to the chicken feeder machines that were manufactured at Taylor-Dunn. In the early days it was Ford banjo rearends, then on to early Plymouth drop out rearends and finally to the 9″ Ford. Frank became a large supplier of the core rearends to Taylor-Dunn. Property was bought in east Anaheim in 1956 and in 1959, Frank and Evelyn founded Currie Enterprises and moved full time to their own business of supplying the rearend cores.

As the years went on, facilities grew and Frank added tear down, rebuilding, and modification facilities for the rearends he was supplying to Taylor-Dunn. As Frank’s boys grew, he offered them as much piece work as they wanted to do in the shop to earn money for fun things like motorcycles and cars.

In 1985 Currie Enterprises moved again to a larger facility and Frank’s boys took over the reins of the company as Frank retired to build hot rods and Jeeps.

Frank competed in The Great American Race 20 times, winning the overall once and winning countless segments. He also dabbled in the LaCarrera Panamerica 3 years in a row with his ’65 Shelby Mustang. He remains the only person in history to have driven a car to Bonneville, run over 200 mph, and driven the car home. This car, his AA/SR #258, was 1998 Hot Rod of the year. He was a ’32 Ford lover and aficionado to the bone. At the time of his passing, he had two ’32 roadsters, a ’32 3-window coupe and a ’32 Tudor sedan.

Jeeping and off roading was another family passion. From early Broncos and Willys station wagons, all the way up to his last Jeep, an LS powered TJ, Frank was an experienced off roader. He spent many off road trips Jeeping with Tom McMullen in the 80’s and he co-drove with son John in the first BFG Rock Crawling Championship in 1998, where they took a second place finish.

Frank was a member of the California Roadsters car club and had been a member of the Regroupers Jeep Club.
The family asks that any correspondence or sentiments be sent to:

Currie Enterprises
382 N. Smith Ave.
Corona, Ca. 92880

The post Frank Currie Obituary appeared first on Lowrider.

Mark Garcia is mostly known as “Taco” to his friends and fellow club members in Rollerz Only Car Club. Taco is one unique individual, not only for his one-of-a-kind tattoos and body piercings, but also for a particular car he drives. His ’94 Cadillac Fleetwood definitely stands out on the streets and at the car shows.

He first bought the car in 2008 after serving in the U.S. Navy for eight years. A couple years and a few customizations later, he left Los Angeles with his Cadillac and cruised to a new home in Las Vegas. It was there that he became a body piercer by profession. It wasn’t long before his work was noticed by Stacey from Stacey’s Exotic Piercing & Tattoos all the way out in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Stacey offered Taco a job with relocation benefits. Taco definitely jumped at the chance. Shortly after the move to Albuquerque, Taco and Stacey began to share more than just work experiences! As Taco put it, things got “heavy.”

Stacey and Taco started to dream up (and then create) distinctive customizations for his Cadillac, known as “Blue Cheeze.” The luxury sedan received a total makeover, both on the interior and exterior. The upholstery was redone and upgraded with a two-tone blue tweed and the exterior ultimately received a wild eye-popping patterned-out paintjob from none other than the famous Rob Vanderslice of Albuquerque. The engine, hydraulic suspension, undercarriage, and stereo system all received their respective upgrades too, completely transforming this ride into a full-custom masterpiece.

Taco adamantly points out his custom blue and clear taillights. They were exclusively made for Blue Cheeze and he says that only Street Vision Custom Lighting (found on Facebook) could be the ones who produce these awesome lights and light covers for the big body Cadillacs.

Taco sends big thanks to his wife, Stacey, his Rollerz Only Car Club founder Troy, Johnny Baca, House, Gotti, Blast, Joey Demny, Mr. Vanderslice, his fellow club members, Dave at Sheflones, and his sponsors Flowmaster, Mother’s, Jett Hott, and Street Vision Custom Lighting. Lastly, Taco sends a big thanks to Eric Casares, may he rest in peace.

1994 Cadillac Fleetwood

Vehicle Nickname
Blue Cheeze

Owner
Mark “Taco” Garcia

City/State
Albuquerque, NM

Club
Rollerz Only

Engine
LT1 V-8

Interior
Vinyl Fusion in Albuquerque did up a custom two-tone tweed interior over custom-cut bucket seats.

Sound
Taco installed a Pioneer head unit, Pioneer tweeter, midrange speakers, and a pair of Kicker woofers.

Body/Paint
Bodywork was handled by Eric Casaras and Duez Paid before Rob Vanderslice sprayed cobalt and oriental blue colors in intricate patterns. Demny Designs and Blast Factory lent their talents for the pinstriping.

Suspension
Taco and friend Dom installed a two-pump hydraulic setup powered by six deep-cycle batteries.

The post 1994 Cadillac Fleetwood – Blue Cheeze appeared first on Lowrider.

Remember the days when you used to bring the house stereo to the garage? Or constantly turning on your ride so the car battery won’t die while playing tunes? How about taking that little radio to the barbecue and having the station come in all statically and the four D batteries dying right away? Well those days are over. The advancements of smartphones have changed the way we listen to music forever. With the ability to create our own playlists or customize our favorite stations we no longer have to play the same CD over and over. Now with Bluetooth we are able to wirelessly connect our phones to countless audio devices.

Whether you are doing a tuneup in the garage or barbecuing with friends, these portable Bluetooth speakers are a must for any car guy. They aren’t meant to replace your home’s music system or to rock a party but they can sure liven up any small gathering. These lightweight battery-operated systems are ideal to place on top of your toolbox while you work on your car or on a picnic table while grilling some asada (steak).

Make/Model
Beats by Dr. Dre / Pill 2.0

URL
www.beatsbydre.com

Battery
Internal rechargeable lithium-ion

RUNTIME
7 hours

Charge Time
2 hours

Color
black, white, red, blue, silver, pink

Purchase Price
$166.49

Overview
The red Pill 2.0 Portable Speaker from Beats by Dr. Dre allows you to play music and take calls from your compatible bluetooth devices as well as wired sources. It features a tap to pair functionality for your bluetooth device as well as a 3.5mm line input for wired connectivity. Its USB port allows you to charge external devices directly from the pill. You can pair an optional second pill for increased output or stereo functionality. The speaker’s built-in mic allows you to take calls for bluetooth conferencing. A 3.5mm audio cable, USB charging/data cable, AC power adapter, and carry case are included.

Make/Model
JBL / Charge2+

URL
www.jbl.com

Battery
Internal rechargeable lithium-ion

RUNTIME
2 hours

Charge Time
4 hours

Color
black, gray, teal, orange, red, pink, yellow

Purchase Price
$110.99

Overview
The JBL Charge 2+ Portable Stereo Speaker features dual drivers and twin passive radiators for deep, accurate bass. It supports bluetooth wireless functionality, so you can stream music wirelessly from bluetooth-enabled devices. An integrated 6000 mAh Lithium-ion Battery can last up to 12 hours on a charge, and you can even charge other portable devices via the USB port. Since it also has a built-in microphone, you can also have hands-free speakerphone calls. Patented noise and echo cancelation ensure clear communication. The Bluetooth Social Mode allows up to three different users to take their respective turns playing their own bluetooth-enabled devices on the same speaker. Additionally, the Charge 2+ features a splash proof design, so there’s no more worrying about rain or spills-just don’t submerge it.

Make/Model
Sony / SRSX3

URL
www.sony.com

Battery
Internal rechargeable lithium-ion

RUNTIME
7 hours

Charge Time
2 hours (unable to use while charging)

Color
black, white, red

Purchase Price
$92.49

Overview
Stream audio wirelessly to the black Sony Portable Bluetooth Speaker from your bluetooth-enabled devices. It supports NFC technology for easy pairing via bluetooth. This 20-watt speaker delivers rich stereo sound from your source of choice. It also has an aux input for non-bluetooth devices with a headphone jack. At the push of a button, you can also have hands-free speakerphone calls since the speaker has an integrated microphone. This speaker is also extremely portable, running on either AC power or its built-in rechargeable battery.

Make/Model
Bose / SoundLink

URL
www.bose.com

Battery
Internal rechargeable lithium-ion

RUNTIME
8 hours

Charge Time
not specified

Color
black, white, blue, mint, red

Purchase Price
$119.99

Overview
Wireless audio streaming and portability are combined with the Bose SoundLink color Bluetooth Speaker. This speaker pairs with other Bluetooth-enabled devices like smartphones for wireless music streaming up to 30 feet away. An auxiliary audio input is also onboard for interfacing wired audio sources, such as tablets and MP3 players. The speaker is equipped with a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides up to eight hours of playtime. The SoundLink color charges via its micro-USB interface; a cable and charger are included.

The post Portable Bluetooth Speakers appeared first on Lowrider.

Even in this day and age there are still some negative misconceptions surrounding the Lowrider community. In order to dispel these misunderstandings we partnered with Shell Lubricants, featuring Quaker State, to launch Roll Models, a video series that focuses and highlights stand-up individuals in the Lowrider community. From athletes to entertainers to executives, we’re putting the spotlight on outstanding men and women who have worked hard to get to where they are today. These people are passionate about what they do and they are passionate about lowriding.

In our first episode of Roll Models we’re featuring Steve Alvarez-Mott. Not only is Steve the owner of a beautiful ’58 Impala and longtime member of Groupe Car Club but he is also an obstetrician-gynecologist who has delivered over 9,000 babies during his career. Steve says that sometimes his job can be long and difficult but in the end he always finds it rewarding, and this is why we look up to him as a Roll Model.

The post Lowrider Roll Models Episode 1 appeared first on Lowrider.

Destiny Salinas, of Plainview, Texas, grew up around lowriding and always wanted one of her own. “I wanted to have a project I could work on while my dad worked on his,” Destiny explains. Her dad, Carlos, a member of USO Car Club, found the trike for her. “The paint was a little faded but it was complete,” Destiny says. The trike was small enough for Destiny to build and show it. With her dad’s guidance the work on the trike began.

The first stop was to have James Campbell lay the beautiful khaki color paintjob with root beer brown fade. Ron Hernandez then laid red, black, and brown ‘striping with a touch of gold leafing. The paintjob looked great but it needed a little more, so Carlos contacted Alberto Herrera who added a young Tejana mural on each side of the front fender. While it was being painted, Ezekiel Garcia, in Dallas engraved the chrome. Juan Gonzalez added a little Texas twist by hand tooling the leather seat, pedals, and air tank covers.

Destiny didn’t send everything out to get done. Her and her dad tag twisted some of the chrome pieces, installed the stereo system, and created the air pump setup. Coming up with a unique look without chopping the trike up was a challenge for them. They succeeded when they went with a bomb look by adding artillery wheels and a Fulton replica visor.

“Being able to show with my USOs and having them always show me love has been a blessing, and being part of the lowrider culture has made me so proud,” Destiny says. She would also like to thank everyone who helped her build her trike.

1931 Sky King Trike

Owner
Destiny Salinas

Nickname
La Tejana

Club
USO

City/State
Plainview, TX

Suspension
Custom aviation-style pumps

Sound Syste
Four bluetooth speakers

Upholstery
Custom-tooled leather seat.

Body/Paint
Axalta khaki color and root beer brown

Wheels/Tires
Artillery-style wheels

The post 1931 Sky King Trike – In Her Dad’s Footsteps appeared first on Lowrider.

The look may say “OLD SKOOL!” but everything behind these beautiful faces from CON2R represents the latest in electronic instrument technology.

Authentically styled, this direct replacement gauge set provides a full range of vital information from six instruments in a layout that features their dual-needle, concentric drives.

With textures and windows that mirror the original design, these units provide understandable, accurate and reliable system monitoring.

Black or white faces are available as are 120, 140 and 160 mph speedometers. At night, the CON2R LED “halo” lighting provides an elegant accent to any interior.

To simplify installation, each set of SuperStock instruments comes with oil pressure and water temperature sending units.

Additional information on these instruments and others being developed by CON2R can be found online at www.con2r.com.

The post ’57 Chevy Superstock Instrument Set appeared first on Lowrider.

The Mesa, Arizona, Art Gallery Center celebrated its 10th anniversary recently with over 15,000 of its closest friends attending a Latin family friendly festival kickoff September 10-11. The celebration started with an up-close and personal introduction and discussion with actor, comedian, director, writer, and art advocate, Cheech Marin, better known by many as half of the iconic comedy duo Cheech and Chong. His on-hand collection, Take Ten:The Past Decade of Collecting, of his renowned private collection of the entertainer and arts advocate. Cheechhas amassed one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive collections of Chicano art and this passion hasbeen part of his life since the ’60s. We were privileged in sitting with the Los Angeles-born Cheech Marin for an exclusive interview.

We asked him how he first knew he loved art.

Cheech: For me it started when I was about 11 or 12 years old. My cousins and I would study together to learn about different stuff. We would assign everyone a certain topic to learn about, and then come back to the group and report on it. Some were given history, literature, and I was given art. So I visited the library close to home in South Central California almost daily and studied books on art, reading and looking at all the pictures so I could give my report on this subject in learning about artists and their works, like Picasso, Rembrandt, and all the classical paintings. I later started visiting libraries in different cities and though I also had learned about modern art, I had a gap on contemporary art. So while in West L.A., I started visiting contemporary art galleries, and that’s where I discovered these Chicano art paintings at these galleries and realized these guys are good painters because I’ve seen good painters all my life and related to these paintings. So I started collecting them because I knew what it was, I had money, and an attraction to the paintings; it became the perfect storm with me starting my collection. After awhile, one of my good friends who is an art dealer asked me, “Why don’t you show your collection?” So we started looking around and found a producer of a Natural History magazine who wanted to get into it and we put together a two-prong show, and eventually, Target stores and Hewlett-Packard put up the funding to produce it. Target came back and sponsored the show for eight years. My goal was to bring Chicano art to the mainstream. My mantra had been you can’t love or hate Chicano art unless you see it. So it cleared up a lot of misconception on Chicano art because it allowed people to see it and say, I didn’t know it was this, and I like this.

LRM: Growing up in L.A., was there any influence with your artistic interest since many view L.A. as lowrider central?

Cheech: Yes, I was there at the lowrider inception in the ’50s and ’60s. I remember the pinstriping, the lowering of the cars, the lake pipes, and even the lights in the fenderwells … but the fact of the matter with lowriding is it is now mainstream like Chicano art is becoming mainstream. From the back streets to main street. We are the mainstream … so act like it.

It was a sincere pleasure talking with Cheech. Though we didn’t have time to get into more, we briefly mentioned to him whether he really realized the role he has played on screen and off being a Chicano in America. From being part of the Comedic Dynamic Duo of Cheech and Chong to showcasing his Chicano art collection worldwide, he has played a role in exposing the Chicano Connection. Though sometimes through the somewhat slanted eyes of apair of guys just partying, his comedy has shaped the funny bone of Chicano and alike baby boomers and others inAmerica in being able to laugh at ourselves, and at the same time take note that we do matter, and we are hereasa force of one from the voices of many.

The two-day Latin Fest ended with a fun-filled Friday night street party, featuring a dance competition and live street art by Cyphers (The Center For Urban Art), artist demonstrations in the art studios, and a full nightof fun for the whole family!

Chicano rock power trio Los Lonely Boys with opener Matt Anderson performed on the main stage. Other entertainment included New York-based Latino dance Ballet Hispanico. And a special thanks to Samson Fernandez for organizing the Lowrider Showcase, featuring some beautiful lowrider cars from Lifestyle, Society, and Klique Car Clubs, including Lowrider (Motorcycle) Vicleros showcasing our unique art of chrome and paint on a metal canvas. Efrain “Bugs” Gonzales was on hand demonstrating his highly skilled artistic talent as one of the country’s best pinstripers and custom painters. In this being Bugs home town, it was that much more special. The Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum was open to the public, featuring Take Ten: The Past Decade of Collecting. The Photography of Pedro E. Guerrero showcased iconic artist portraits and architectural photographs by the celebrated Arizona photographer Pedro Guerrero. And Chicano State of Mind featured eight Arizona artists whose work explores the idea that being Chicano is a state of mind that goes beyond a restrictive classification.

We wish to thank event sponsor, Modelo Especial, and Casey Blake, director of public relations at the Mesa Art Gallery and her entire staff for inviting us to be part of this event in Mesa, Arizona!

The post Cheech Marin’s Art Collection appeared first on Lowrider.

The Championship Auto Series known as “Autorama” showcases an awesome amount of custom cars, Lowriders, trucks, rods and motorcycles annually at the South Towne Exposition Center in Salt Lake, Utah. One of this year’s main attractions though, had to be the “One Shot” paints sponsored Paint Brush bash. Utah’s very own Kieth Eccles and Arizona’s Bugs Auto Art got together with many other artists to create a very colorful weekend for many spectators in attendance at the 3 day show event. In all, it took about 35 hours and miles of pulled lines on different metal shaped canvases that were auctioned off for charity. Though there was plenty of custom painted creations all over the place on 4 wheels, fans actually got a chance to see how it’s done. Many left thinking they knew how to gold leaf after this show. It was a showcase of pinstripping talent gone wild!! Here are just a few metal magnificence we saw on display.

The post Paint Brush Bash in Utah appeared first on Lowrider.

Truck of the Month Brought to You by Brothers

Few jobs consist of a personal work vehicle, and even fewer have such a cool car as the one Frank Rosas was able to drive around while working at Mt. San Antonio College. So in 1985 when this ’54 Chevrolet 3100 pickup came up for sale, Frank was the first in line. Frank knew the admiration his son, Chris, had for this Chevy and would eventually decide to give it to him as wedding gift. “I always dreamt about turning it into a lowrider,” Chris says. Chris and his new wife soon embarked on a restoration journey that converted this once-neglected daily driver into a car show contender.

After many a trip to the Pomona Swap Meet, the pieces were finally in place to begin this build. The heart and soul of this project was in the hands of P&G Engines in Rialto, California, who would install a new 350 small-block crate motor complete with chrome and painted accessories, as well as a 700-R4 transmission bolting up to a posi rearend along with upgraded front disc brakes. The airbag suspension was left to J&J Classic in San Bernardino, California, where Joe and crew would mount a brand-new custom Universal Air Suspension setup, laying this Chevy all the way down to the floor. Joe would also connect the audio components that included a Sony head unit and Kicker amplifiers powering Kicker mids, highs, and subwoofers. From there they would cover the entire truck with a unique blend of Forest Green two-stage PPG paint that included the undercarriage as well as engine compartment. With Memos Upholstery cutting and sewing together two tan leather combinations, mimicking original Chevrolet bench seat patterns, Dakota Digital dash in place, and hubcaps gleaming, it was finally time to hit the boulevard.

Nowadays, this once-diminished work truck finds itself as a family heirloom with Chris recently handing it down to his son, Nicholas. Chris and family would like to say thank you to all who were involved, especially Joe of J&J Classic, Goodtimes Car Club members, and most importantly to his dad, Frank.

1954 Chevy 3100

Nickname
El Don

Owner
Nicholas Quintero

City
Ontario, CA

Engine
’87 Chevy 350 installed by P&G Engines

Upholstery
Memos Classic Upholstery cut and sewed together two tan leather combinations, mimicking original Chevy bench seat patterns.

Body/Paint
J&J Classic covered this classic in a custom PPG blend of Forest Green with Mike Tipit adding accenting pinstripe lines throughout the body.

Suspension
J&J Classic installed the custom airbag suspension.

Wheels/Tires 14-inch radial whitewalls accessorized with chrome hubcaps.

The post 1954 Chevrolet 3100 – El Don appeared first on Lowrider.

When you take four of the heaviest hitting clubs in the Illinois area and ask them to put on an event for charity, this is what you get. Psycho’s Dreams, Pura Sangra, Brothers, and Viejitos clubs were called to put together an event that would bring out families and club members to enjoy a day of fun and heritage. The main goal was to show people in the larger cities in Illinois about the culture and friendliness in the suburbs. Genaro Quinones from Brothers Car Club made sure all the clubs were on board, and Psycho’s President Frank Betancourt made all the arrangements.

They chose The Milk Pail in Elgin, Illinois, for the location of this show. Next to the show grounds is a flea market with a Mexican-cultured feel called The Taste of Mexico. While families were enjoying the lowrider cars they could also venture into the market and enjoy authentic Mexican food. The hopping contest was placed in the center of the show and some of the highest flyers in the state were there to maintain their reputation.

Frank wishes to thank everyone who came out to participate and enjoy a great day in the sun in the Midwest. Elgin’s finest will be a solid annual show and will definitely be put on the “I shall return” list.

The post Elgin’s Finest Car Show appeared first on Lowrider.

Since he was a teenager, Joe Guzman of Anaheim, California, has always wanted to own a lowrider. He knew it would take time and a lot of hard-earned money to make that vision a reality. With patience and of course some persistence, the right car at the right time and place presented itself to Joe in the 2004. Good friend, Shawn, told Joe about a ’62 Impala that was for sale in the nearby Buena Park. Joe decided to go see it. Once he laid eyes on the classic car, he knew it was the one!

After bringing it home, Joe eventually had the car painted a light green and did some basic upgrades to the ride to get it to that lowrider style he liked. However, after a few years, an idea sparked in his head to take his Chevy hardtop to the next level. He decided to do a complete makeover on the ride, totally repainting it with a candy green finish, custom patterns, flake, pinstriping, leafing, and eye-popping murals. The interior also received quite a makeover as well: dashboards and custom center console received paintjobs to match the car’s exterior, and the seats and door panels were reupholstered with brand-new green vinyl.

There is no doubt that this ride is ready for pulling some awards at car shows, but that won’t stop Joe from cruising it on the streets from time to time with his fellow Klique Car Club members. Joe gives thanks to everyone involved with helping him build this car, especially Alex Placencia at Big Al’s Body Shop. Joe says it was Alex who was always there for him when he needed help with this ’62. Joe may be done with the car (for now), but he says he has a convertible ’62 Impala in the works, so be on the lookout for that very soon!

1962 Chevy Impala

Vehicle Nickname
Green-Go Madness

Owner
Joe Guzman

City/State
Anaheim, CA

Club
Klique

Engine
’72 Chevy 350-cid small-block V-8 built by Guzman’s Auto in Garden Grove, CA

Body/Paint
Alex Placencia of Big Al’s Body Shop in La Habra, CA, did the necessary bodywork before laying down a candy chameleon green finish with mini flakes. Manny’s Pinstriping of La Habra did the silver leafing and pinstriping and Mark Whittaker lent his artistic talents of airbrushed murals depicting an Azteca princess with Azteca warriors. A 42-inch electric sunroof with green-tinted glass was also installed.

Suspension
Andy Guzman also tackled the custom hydraulic suspension, installing a Hoppo’s whammy pump with four dumps. Four batteries power the setup and it is controlled by four dash-mounted switches. Herman of Anaheim did a partial reinforcement wrap on the Y-bone frame. AP Show Chrome in Anaheim took care of all chrome plating needs.

Wheels/Tires
13-inch cross-lace Zenith wire wheels are wrapped in 5.20 Premium Sportway whitewall tires

Interior
Sal Quinones of Santa Ana, CA, did up some nice green marine vinyl upholstery, accented with green stitching.

Sound System
AP Show Chrome installed a 7-inch flat face Kenwood head unit. A JL Audio amplifier, JL Audio tweeter, and midrange speakers, and a couple Kicker woofers round out the complete entertainment system.

The post Joe Guzman’s 1962 Chevy Impala appeared first on Lowrider.

Last weekend was the 9th Annual Musink Festival at the OC Fair & Event Center. Musink is a three-day tattoo convention, car show, and concert. What sets Musink apart from the average tattoo convention? Featuring world-renowned tattoo artists like Carlos Torres, Freddy Negrete, Nikko Hurtado, Corey Miller, Franco Vescovi, and combine them with headlining performances such as Snoop Dogg and the Deftones.

At the show we met several tattoo artists, including Bay Area artist Marco Ojeda. This talented artist is more than a one-trick pony as he is well skilled in airbrushing and graffiti. Another tattoo artist we met was Phil V. Pinos of Germany. Pinos was at his booth with his gorgeous girlfriend, Nina Sphynx. Nina displayed a vicious throat tattoo by Phil of a sphinx cat head that caught everyone’s attention. We later found out that Sphynx entered that Miss Musink contest and was declared the 2016 Miss Musink winner.

At the festival we also got to see our friend and Lowrider Arte cover artist Gustavo Rimada. Rimada informed us that he will be painting one of the infamous bridge beam that run through Chicano Park in San Diego. We hope to bring you coverage of that once his work begins. Another oil painter that was at the show was Jesse JRF. Jesse’s paintings reflect his love/obsession with avocados.

This year we saw the return of the Low & Slow Car Show at Musink. A handful of lowriders and custom cars came out, like Jason Wallace of Huntington Beach, California. Jason is a member of Dukes and had his 1952 3100 truck next to the Tovar’s 1939 Chevy. Greg DeAlba from Elite Car Club bought his turquoise 1991 Cadillac that displayed a mural by Sal Elias. We ended our night at Musink by checking out Snoop Dogg on stage. Snoop performed classics such as “Lodi Dodi” and “Ain’t No Fun” from his Doggystyle album. We had a great time and can’t wait for next year’s festival.

The post 2016 Musink Festival appeared first on Lowrider.

Angle grinders are an essential tool for any general fabricator or welder. Angle grinders have been used in one way or another to build every custom car out there. From shaving door handles, installing hydraulics, or molding chassis, angle grinders have been used in one way or another. Depending on the attachment you put on you can use them to grind, shave, or cut metal. The corded grinders are the only way to go for all-day use but we wanted to look at cordless ones and see what kind of benefit they had. We went out to our local hardware store and picked up a few different cordless grinders from DeWalt, Craftsman, Makita, and Ridgid.

Each grinder came with a screwable handle that can be mounted on either side of the grinder (the Craftsman and Ridgid allow you to mount it on top also), tool-less adjustable guard, and wheel attachment wrench. None of them come with a battery.

Make/Model
DeWalt/ DCG412B

URL
www.dewalt.com

MSRP
$119

Overview
The DeWalt DCG412B 20V MAX Lithium Ion 41/2-inch Cut-Off Tool features a 7,000-rpm motor that provides high power for cutting and grinding applications. A quick-change wheel release allows for tool-free wheel changes without the need for a wrench, and the tool-free guard allows for quick, easy guard adjustments/positioning. It offers a two-finger trigger switch with lock-off button for convenient activation and easier gripping, along with a two-position side handle offers greater control, comfort, and versatility. Includes: DCG412 Cut-Off Tool, Spanner Wrench, Type 1 (Cutting) Guard, and Two-Position Side Handle. This is a bare tool item (battery sold separately).

Make/Model
Ridgid / R86040B

URL
www.ridgid.com

MSRP
$99

Overview
The Ridgid X4 18V Cordless Angle Grinder (Console Only) is compatible with all 18V slide battery packs and features a tool-less guard design to easily rotate the guard for optimal grinding. With console-only tools, you have the option to add onto existing kits to create your own. The grinder features innovative Hex Grip micro texture to ensure comfort during extended use, and a load level LED light protects the grinder by preventing overload. With the convenient cordless design, it easily reaches tight spots without hassle. Backed by Ridgid’s lifetime service agreement, you can count on free batteries, free parts, and free service for the entire life of your tool.

Make/Model
Makita / XAG03Z

URL
www.makitatools.com

MSRP
$119

Overview
Makita delivers corded grinding performance without the cord with the 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 41/2-inch Cut-Off/Angle Grinder (model XAG03Z, tool only, battery sold separately). A Makita brushless motor powers it for longer run time, increased power and speed, and longer tool life. For the most demanding applications, Makita’s exclusive Automatic Speed Change Technology automatically adjusts speed and torque during operation for optimal performance. The XAG03Z is ideal for grinding, cutting, and sanding a wide range of materials including tile, concrete, pipe, conduit, and more.

Make/Model
Craftsman / FS2600

URL
www.craftsman.com

MSRP
$79

Overview
A powerful grinder with handheld portability, this Craftsman C3 41/2-inch angle grinder transforms 19.2V battery power into 6,500 rpm of cutting and grinding power. Perfect for weld cleanup, cutting rod, and destroying rust, it’s ready for a variety of tools, like grinder wheels, cutting wheels, straight and braided wire brushes, while the cordless design keeps you moving fast. Featuring a smart, ergonomic build and an adjustable handle that conforms to the job, this 41/2-inch angle grinder is ready for long hours of work. Equipped with in-handle wheel wrench storage, a lock-on switch, and powered by Craftsman’s 19.2V series of batteries, this tool is built to deliver. Add it to your kit, and get the next job done with the power of Craftsman.

The post Cordless Angle Grinder Reviews appeared first on Lowrider.

As a young man, Jeremy Garza remembers watching his older brothers customize their mini trucks and Camaros back in the ’80s. With the inspiration he acquired then, he spent countless weekends on the infamous cruise strip, Central Avenue, in Phoenix with a Nissan Sentra, one cool candy-painted lowrider. Jeremy eventually graduated up to the big boys, picking up a fullsize sedan, a ’93 Cadillac Fleetwood. As the customizing began, he knew he wanted to always keep it a vehicle that would be driveable on weekends, but still turn heads at the local car shows. As the Caddy progressed, Jeremy took on other project cars, but the Cadillac, known as “Sangria,” was the one he vowed to keep forever.

1993 Cadillac Fleetwood

Vehicle Nickname
Sangria

Owner
Jeremy Garza

Car Club
Majestics Car Club (Glendale Chapter)

City
El Mirage, AZ

Suspension
OG Victor installed a Hi-Low Hydraulics setup, powered by six batteries and controlled by eight switches. The hydraulic pumps in the trunk sit on a movable arm.

Body/Paint
Albert of Vicious Customs in Peoria, AZ, painted the Cadillac a candy brandy wine color and the famous “Doc” in Los Angeles added custom-painted patterns. Buggs added his talents with pinstriping and T-Step & Sage added airbrushed murals.

Engine
The stock ’93 350-cid V-8 was taken apart and upgraded with chrome and gold-plated accessories by Street Life Customs.

Interior
Ruiz Custom Upholstery in Phoenix upgraded the seats to pillow top. Fiberglass moldings were done on the door panels as well as on the front and back dash panels.

Sound System
Jason, an acquaintance of Jeremy, installed a Jensen head unit, six TVs, Alpine amplifier, Alpine tweeter and midrange speakers, and Pioneer woofers.

Wheels/Tires
13×7 100-spoke rims with Zenith knockoffs wrapped in 155/80-13 radial whitewall tires.

In the meantime, Jeremy came across an ’84 Oldsmobile Cutlass. He remembers putting down $4,000 on this non-running car that didn’t even have windows! But with the help of his friends, family, fellow car club members, and $10,000 in cash, the Cutlass became an eye-popping candy-painted G-body within just a year’s time.

Jeremy sends big thanks to everyone who provided help and support in the buildup of these two custom low-lows, especially Pros Touch, Arizona’s Finest, James Roundy, Buggs, Jaime Castaneda, OG Victor Gonzalez, Pelon, and his Majestics car club brothers. Jeremy also sends a special thanks to his beautiful wife, Elizabeth, and their daughters, Estefany, Angelina, and Mia.

1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Vehicle Nickname
The Game Don’t Wait

Owner
Jeremy Garza

Car Club
Majestics Car Club (Glendale Chapter)

City
El Mirage, AZ

Interior
Ruben of Pros Touch also managed the interior needs, upgrading the analog gauges to a digital Dakota dash. The seats were made over with plush pillow-topped upholstery.

Engine
The stock ’84 305 cid was taken apart and detailed with the help of Joey Chavez and hardlined by OG Victor. Custom engine parts were done by James Roundy Customs.

Suspension
George Lopez of Time Is Money in El Mirage installed a two-pump Hi-Low hydraulic setup. Six batteries and four switches power and control the setup.

Body/Paint
Bodywork and paint was done by Ruben Sauceda of Pros Touch in Prescott, AZ. A candy violet color was laid down on the car’s exterior before Buggs of Mesa, AZ, added pinstriping and Tim Lowery of Glendale, AZ, added airbrushed murals.

Sound System
Felipe of Flips Audio in El Mirage installed a Pioneer head unit, Fosgate amplifier, JL Audio tweeter and midrange speakers, and Kicker subwoofers.

Wheels/Tires
13×7 100-spoke rims with Zenith knockoffs wrapped in 155/80-13 radial whitewall tires.

The post ’93 Cadillac Fleetwood & ’84 Oldsmobile Cutlass The Game Don’t Wait appeared first on Lowrider.

During the course of any Lowrider build there are certain aspects that can truly make or break a build. The cooling system is one aspect that deserves some of the most attention because without proper cooling your engine can’t maintain it’s operating temperature. Without your engine being able to keep it’s cool, this could eventually lead to catastrophic engine failure and or melt down.

In order to replace a tired old original radiator out of a 1966 Chevy Malibu, we gave our friends at U.S. Radiator Corp a call to get the best of the best. U.S. Radiator has been around for over 40 years and is dedicated to providing the best cooling solutions to the high performance automotive market through constant extensive research and development.

For our build we decided to go with an aluminum radiator due to the better cooling properties. Since aluminum does a better job, the radiators require a lesser amount of rows for cooling. Most manufacturers of aluminum radiators out there build fully fabricated radiators, which are made of bent up flat sheet metal. However, U.S. Radiator Corp. has taken their cooling product to the next level as they actually stamp out aluminum tanks in order to retain the more factory look. Because there’s nothing worse than having a part as big as a radiator look out of place when you’re trying to keep a classic style looking classic as well as cool in your engines compartment.

The install of our new aluminum U.S. Radiator went as smoothly as you could ever hope for. The fit and finish is just as if it came from the factory that way. The research and development that they did made this install a simple one that could be easily done in an afternoon. In no time we were cruise ready and back out on the road. Once we were on the road in our Low ride we discovered the amazing better-than-factory cooling performance of our new U.S. Radiator Corp. radiator!! We were looking cool and cruising cool at the same time!

For only the best Radiator out there for your classic, visit www.usradiators.com.

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