Are the days of being a gentleman over? Are paying for meals, opening doors for ladies, and asking parents for their permission to marry their daughter behind us? With the next generation of instant gratification-fueled millennials glued to their smartphones, it’s sometimes scary to think that those values are not only a thing of the past, but that the time and patience it takes to build a lowrider will also be forgotten in favor of turnkey, disposable hybrids. Scary to think that, but hopefully classic values and classic cars will continue to rub off on future crops who are next in line to continue the legacy.
Like the values that define a gentleman, some things just stand the test of time and never get old. A ’58 Impala is one of those things that really doesn’t need to be changed much. It came out of the factory looking good and still holds its timeless appeal. So how does one keep it simple, classy, and add some touches to it that’ll individualize it to their liking? Henry Montoya’s ’58 Impala is an exercise in simplicity. It doesn’t deviate much from factory original, but the areas where it does are refined, well executed, and elegant.
When he bought it, the car had a lifted rearend and Cragar mags. Although it looked good in that hot rod guise, Henry wanted to bring it down to the ground. Hoppo’s Hydraulics put on the Viair compressors, 5-gallon tank, and complete air ride system hidden behind the trunk paneling to give the car a nice dropped rake. A Lincoln Versailles rearend is brought to stop by factory disc brakes with a pair of ABS discs in front. The quartet of 13-inch Zeniths and Firestone rubber round out the rolling stock. The venerable 350 V-8 and 350 trans the car came with were already pretty beefed up and an Edelbrock carb, air cleaner, and manifold, along with plenty of chrome, keep it looking and running good. Work was done by Juan at Automotive Doctor in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
The interior was kept true to original with some nice touches to set it off. A Dakota Digital dash fits right into the existing space and monitors all the vitals. The Art of Sound installed the retro-inspired Custom Autosound head unit with Diamond Audio components that let the tunes play loud and clear. Elegance Auto Interiors did the awesome stitchwork on the original seats to give it a contemporary, luxury car feel without losing the original charm.
After seeing the colors on a minivan, Henry’s wife suggested he go with the Lexus sunset bronze and satin cashmere, reminiscent of the color of Gentleman Jack whiskey, which is the perfect complement to the interior. Not much on the outside was changed from stock, except the addition of N.O.S. spotlights, a visor, skirts, and continental kit. Mario’s Auto Works in Montclair, California, gets a “job well done” from both owner and onlookers for the immaculate exterior work.
Four years’ worth of work went into making “Gentleman’s 8” and it’s truly a contemporary spin on the best things of a bygone era. Henry would like to tip his hat to his wife, family, club, and Richard Cardiel for finding the car and helping him build it. We think it’s a beautiful car that couldn’t get anymore stylish.
1958 Chevy Impala
Vehicle Nickname
Gentleman’s 8
Owner
Henry Montoya
City/State
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Club
Style
Engine
350 engine, 350 trans
Body/Paint
Lexus sunset bronze and satin cashmere by Mario’s Auto Works
Suspension
Lincoln Versailles rearend, Viair compressors, 5-gallon tank by Hoppo’s Hydraulics
Sound System
Custom Autosound head unit, Diamond Audio components
Interior
Dakota Digital dash, leather interior by Elegance Auto Interiors, Upland, CA
GM hit a home run that continues to find favor among car enthusiasts when they created the 350ci V-8. This motor essentially began life as the 265 in 1955 until it was poked and prodded into the 350, which is basically the same block as the 5.7-liter that might be in your Chevy Silverado or one of the LS blocks that is in your Corvette. The actual 350 version came on the scene in 1967 as an option for the brand-new Camaro and has been one of the most dependable blocks ever produced. Think of how many you’ve seen powering both GM and non-GM cars. It was even the motor that powered the Tumbler Batmobile driven in the Christian Bale movies. The options for bringing more horsepower and torque out of this almost 50-year-old block are truly endless. Although this ’58 Impala was offered with the 348, which eventually morphed into the famous 409, the 283 that was also offered the same year is basically the same block as the 350 that is currently in this car.
SEMA can be labeled as the Super Bowl of car shows. Everyone who’s anyone in the custom car world is here. Even though it’s not open to the public, SEMA’s estimated attendance is 60,000. The 2015 show happened from Tuesday, November 3, to Friday November 6. This is the only show where you can find a little of everything, from lowriders to hot rods, from tuner cars to muscle cars, from mini-trucks to lifted ones, and everything in-between. With its vast variety of vehicles, SEMA is the perfect place to get ideas from different car cultures and implement them to ours.
The majority of the lowriders on display were at Axalta’s booths, like Lorenzo Rodriguez’s ’61 Impala convertible and Rudy Sandoval’s LOWRIDER magazine cover car ’73 Ford LTD.
Luis Lemus at House of Pain finished off a ’64 Impala convertible that debuted at this year’s SEMA show. With the help of Phillip Rincon of Phillips Finelines, they were able to create a one-of-a-kind candy paintjob by using Axalta’s Hot Hues lines. Legendary lowrider Sal Sierra displayed his ’36 Ford pickup at Axalta’s indoor booth. The pickup displayed a new Axalta hot hues candy paintjob by Adam Stone of Stone Cold Kustoms.
Traditional lowriders on display were low at SEMA but there were many cars that had lowrider style to them, like the ’60 Cadillac Series 62 at AM Hot Rod Glass’ booth. Kindig it Designs, in Salt Lake City, Utah, built that ’60 Cadillac. The other one was a ’52 Chevy built by Gene Winfield. The modified ’52 had the Winfield signature fade paintjob.
We can’t wait to attend next year’s show and hope to see more lowrider/lowrider-style cars on display.
Hector “Manny” Rodriguez grew up in the Bronx. As a teenager, he began building lowrider bicycles. At the time, one of his uncles owned a Cadillac with hydraulics. This ’50 Chevrolet DeLuxe belonged to his dad who purchased it in New Jersey from the original owner. “It was an original numbers-matching car,” Manny says. “My dad is a real car guy and he always kept me in the garage helping him out and teaching me about Chevys. He used that to keep me from running around in the streets and getting into trouble. I’m a car guy because of him.” His dad had the ’50 for several years before he had to sell it. “I didn’t want the car to leave the family, so I bought it off of him.”
Manny cruised the Bronx in an all-OG DeLuxe. In less than a year’s time, he began to get bored of the car and felt that he needed to add his own style to it. Manny slapped some 13-inch wire wheels and installed a sound system. “Right away my dad told me that he knew where this was headed and he didn’t like it, and I told him that I was sorry but that I needed to customize it.”
Even though he might not fully agree with his son, he helped him build it. Manny’s childhood friend Paul Pinto from New York also had a huge part in helping him build it. “We practically built it in Paul’s house.” When it came time to paint it, he reached out to his longtime friend Alex Luna from Providence, Rhode Island. “He told me to bring the car and he would help me paint it.” Four weekends in a row, Manny traveled to Alex’s were they painted the car together. After paint, Manny installed the hydraulic system himself. “I ended up redoing the setup three different times, and every time I ordered components and fittings from Mike Vitally at Black Widow Hydraulics in Detroit, Michigan.
Before this ’50 Chevy, Manny has owned multiple lowriders but he sent them all out to get built. This is the first car that Manny actually built. “I’d really like to thank Paul Pinto; he has helped me more than some of my own family members.”
1950 Chevy Styleline
Vehicle Nickname
The Bronx Bomber
Owner
Hector “Manny” Rodriguez
Car Club
Street Style Car Club (Kentucky chapter)
City
Bronx, NY
Engine
350-engine and 700-R4 transmission from an ’89 Chevy Corvette
Body/Paint
The body was done in House of Kolor Orion Silver and the top with House of Kolor oriental candy blue
Interior
Royal blue velour and black
Sound System
Pioneer double-din touch-screen DVD player, two 10-inch Pioneer subwoofers, Pioneer amps and mids
Suspension
Four-link rear, Z-notch frame, and tubular Mustang II front suspension. Two old-school new Black Magic pumps and four Adexs.
The dynamic trio of Rudy Salazar, Mando Aldama, and Chuck Serna of Phoenix did it again. Their annual Lowtography Art Show featuring the lowriding community’s top photographers and artists was once again the must-attend show of the year.
Having outgrown its previous location, Lane Splitters Garage was the perfect venue for attendees to enjoy a full day filled with lowriders cars, motorcycles, vendors, and, of course, lowrider art. An entire city block was closed down to accommodate the 50-plus motorcycles and Phoenix car clubs, like Spirit, Klique, Los Boulevardos, Slow Lane, as well as Los Angeles’ own Lifestyle Car Club.
The street was littered with vendors like Low Down and Dirty, Working Class Cultura, Paint and Hope, and SugarMill Studios of Las Vegas. The main attraction, of course, was inside. Straight Razor Barbershop and Supreme Seventies created a contrasting background to the artful displays of Ron Hernandez, Albert of Vicious Paint, and Bugz Gonzalez of Bugz Auto Art.
Photography exhibits, included entries all the way from Japan, courtesy of Fisheye Photography. Los Angeles representatives included Saul Vargas, Jose “Flikazo” Ortiz, and even Superiors of Orange County made the trip with Mike Gonzalez’s recently completed Harley-Davidson “Home Wrecker.” Each year this event gets bigger and better. One can only imagine what they have in store for us next year. See you in Phoenix.
Air or juice? It’s the age-old debate that’s drawn a ton of opinions, so in this issue we’ll be going over the pros and cons of each suspension application. For the most part, these systems were designed to give us the stance and height adjustment we need, and while they’re similar in many ways, there’s still a difference, so read on and get the 411.
Old-school guys, purists, and traditional folks alike will typically vouch for hydraulics, but on the flipside, new-school people tend to go for air. That said, here’s a breakdown of each system; see for yourself which one will float your boat-and I mean that in a literal sense.
Air Suspension: How Does It Work?
An air suspension replaces conventional springs with airbags/bellows. Of course, conventional coil spring suspensions are the easiest to upgrade, with the airbags slipping right in place of the factory coil springs. With the advancement in technology and available parts most of these systems are purely bolt-on and require no cutting.
The airbag uses air to inflate and lift a vehicle that is provided from a reservoir tank or tanks, which are filled by on-board compressors. When the dumps/valves are released, the airbag is deflated, thus bringing the vehicle down. Known best for a smooth ride, handling, and the ability to level vehicles electronically, the technology on airbags has definitely come a long way.
PROS:
Much cheaper than hydraulic setups
Takes up less space
Uses less components/ less maintenance
Comfortable and with more of a cushion-type bounce
Self-leveling kits are available for air systems
If and when there is a leak, at least there is no oil mess
You don’t have to cut the frame of your car on traditional setups, as most are bolt-on kits
CONS:
Action isn’t as quick unless you’re boarding on a nitrogen tank
Void of the traditional sounds of hydraulics
Lift on airbag setups are usually limited in height
Installation requires a bit more attention. It’s important to know and ensure that your bag does not rub on vehicle parts when inflated or deflated.
Less components means less ways to be creative with your air system. Now don’t get it twisted, you can still build a killer install but probably nothing like a hydraulic system that utilizes more parts.
You can go up and down maybe twice before your air tank is empty, causing the air compressors to reload your tank … that can take a few minutes of wait.
Unless you are using a muffler when you release the air from your system, the loud noise created is hard to understand how that sounds cool
The more a vehicle weighs, sometimes it’s best to go hydraulics.
Our Advice
Regardless of the system you choose, both of them will require regular maintenance and inspection. In addition, a correctly installed system (regardless of whether it’s air or juice) will provide you with years of worry-free service, and while both will eventually leak, the proper installation will ensure that the problem won’t come anytime soon.
We also advise you to seek professional consultation if you plan on using either of the systems. While hydraulics seem to have earned a bad rap for being bouncy and providing a bad ride, all we can say is that you can easily make a hydraulic system run as smooth as an air system so long as you dial in all your components and choose the right parts.
Yet regardless of the system you choose, please keep the following tips in mind:
Save your money and buy quality components. In the world of car parts it’s safe to say that you will always get what you pay for, so catch a budget and break bread.
Choose someone qualified to do your installation. A poor installation only promises one thing: major problems.
Regardless of whether you choose air or juice, just remember that at the end of the day it’s your money and your decision, so choose what’s best for you and appreciate either one of the systems.
Always remember that it’s all love. The world of car customization is already a competitive environment but let’s keep it friendly. There’s no need to clown someone for not choosing the same path you took. In the end, it’s safe to say that we’re all here for a good time and not a long time, so let’s just touch the ground together because that’s all that matters!
The Installation
The following will go over the step-by-step process for installing one of each of the mentioned systems. The articles will give you a good overall look at what it takes to install them, as well as the difference between the components used in each system.
AIR “FIFTY EIGHT”
AIR SUSPENSION INSTALL
VEHICLE: 1958 Impala hardtop
INSTALLATION: Hoppo’s Custom Suspension Works
PRODUCTS:
Hoppo’s Air Suspension Accessories and Installation
AccuAir manifold valves, and remote control switch
Universal airbag bolt-on kit for Impalas
ViAir compressors
As we begin our air suspension install, please remember that an improper install gives airbags a bad name in the industry. There are also a few companies or shops that demonstrate the right installation and parts recommendations for every vehicle. This is why LOWRIDER made the choice to hire the pros at Hoppo’s Custom Suspension Works. Art Tuason is the owner of Hoppo’s, which has ran professionally in business for over 25 years. Art is hands-on, especially when it comes to lowriders, as he has done his share in the lowriding community as a member of Groupe Car Club. He is an ambassador of altered suspensions and an encyclopedia of information on the right choice of suspension system and quality products to use. Not only does Hoppo’s carry the right products for both suspension industries, they also have an in-house machine shop to build better mounting brackets, hydro suspension parts, and award-winning show setups. They don’t stop there either, Art and son and their proud employees care for your ride’s performance as they also provide friendly customer service and craftsmanship installs. We selected a ’58 Impala, a LOWRIDER choice favorite for our step-by-step install in our air suspension feature, because it seems that all the “Bombs” and ’50s-era classics prefer air suspension so not to devalue their investments, so to speak. Follow along as Art and the crew at Hoppo’s provide their expertise and factory-like installation on “Air Fifty Eight.”
We arrived at Hoppo’s Custom Suspension in Ontario, California, with our suspension project vehicle, drove right up to one of the opening bay roll-up doors, and placed it on the hoist to begin the special install.
1. Air Fifty-Eight is stripped of its front and rear coils and shocks.
2. Front and rear, bottom brackets, and elbow fittings are mounted to the Universal airbags.
3. The top round cup-style brackets are mounted to the top.
4. A hole is drilled out to mount the threaded top round cup brackets so that they can be bolted down.
5. Art JR places the rear airbags and brackets into their stationary position to be bolted down.
6. A nice view of the top bracket bolted in place and mounted double-bellow airbag.
7. Another view of the rear bag and cup bracket in its proper and expert right position.
8. Front A-arm brackets are also mounted in place with the single-bellow bag, known as the “Air House.” These Universal bags only inflate straight up and not wide out like a balloon as other product bags do.
9. Because this is a complete bolt on kit, everything lines up in place where it’s supposed to be.
10. The front airbags and upper and lower brackets are bolted into place.
11. The crew at Hoppo’s uses a seal-type trunk spray for a nice clean and detailed look before mounting the entire air suspension setup.
12. Hoppo’s In House Machinery laser cuts out the setup’s mounting brackets and their specialized welder takes over from there to weld together their pre-designed compressor and tank bracket trunk mounts.
13. The dual Air Tanks are installed onto the setup mount bracket.
14. The one and only ViAir compressors are also mounted to the brackets.
15. All the electrical wiring and DOT hoses are connected to the bags, compressors, and tanks.
16. The AccuAir e-Level and manifold valves are set in place.
17. AccuAir’s manifold valve is now connected to complete the setup. This manifold system is guaranteed to take complete charge of any air suspension system’s ups and downs with no issues or problems. This valve system is a must-have.
18. A Hoppo’s craftsmanship air suspension setup on display.
19. Owner Art Tuason completes the system’s powerplant with an Optima Red Top Battery mounted to the front of Air Fifty-Eight’s engine bay. Art says that the lowrider life brings you ups and downs, so why not let Optima Batteries help you get there!
This Axalta Paint Tip of the month brings up the fact that many of you custom painters still apply inter-coat clear when spraying multi-colored patterns to a paintjob’s layout scheme.
If you want to get away from the old ways of spraying multiple patterns, and save a lot of time and material money, then switch over to Axalta’s CFX brand of candies. After prepping and sealing any project vehicle you are about to lay out, just spray three coats of Axalta’s CFX Candy, which has a 5-minute flash time in between coats. Three coats of CFX will get you the depth and brightness of the color you are looking for.
It doesn’t matter if you are spraying 5, 10, or 15 colors of patterns either. After that whole process you can get ready for your clearcoat finish! The other advantage is if you get a scratch or chip or imperfection in the panel you don’t have to repaint the whole panel you can simply spot repair it with an undetectable repair. If you haven’t sprayed CFX candies yet, then go to your nearest automotive paint store and get connected with CFX Candies. Spraying and seeing is believing!
For more painter friendly products and technical advice, please feel free to contact product specialist Steven Chaparro at steven.c.chaparro@axaltacs.com.
Miguel Cazares of Santa Clarita, California, attended car shows with his brother when he was a kid. He knew back then that one day he would build a show vehicle of his own. He purchased this Escalade from Felix in Downtown L.A. with the original intention being to use it to haul another truck he was working on. As time went by, he changed his mind and began working on this one instead.
The first thing he did was purchase 28-inch wheels for it. The real transformation started when he sent it off to Rapture Auto Body in Santa Clarita, California. Roy Martinez added the House of Kolor root beer brown and an aftermarket grille. He was then going to lower it but ended up deciding on bagging it instead. Junior at Audio Factory in La Puente, California, installed the air ride setup.
“After a year, I began to feel like the truck was missing something,” Miguel says. The truck went back in to Rapture Auto Body and received multiple patterns and then some striping and leafing from Rich Conejo of Sylmar, California. The old grille was taken off and a new five-piece set of Tiarra double-mesh grilles was installed. Albert at 909 Motoring sold Miguel a new set of 28-inch Diablo Elite wheels.
After it came out of the shop with a new look, Miguel decided to do some work to the 6.2L engine. He painted the cover to match and then added a K&N intake and a redtop Optima battery with an engraved battery cover by Tommy Castanera. The final stop was with Joe of California Upholstery in Bell Gardens, California. Joe did the seat in perforated leather peanut butter brown, chocolate suede, with the Cadillac logo stitched into the seats. The trunk build is a never-ending story, so you are sure to see more upgrades later.
2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Vehicle Nickname
La Canelita
Owner
Miguel Cazares
City/State
Santa Clarita, CA
Club
Nokturnal
Engine
6.2L V-8 with redtop Optima battery and K&N filter
Body/Paint
House of Kolor root beer brown
Suspension
Airbags
Interior
Perforated leather and suede
Wheels/Tires
28×10 Diablo Elites with Pirelli Scorpion 295/25/28
Joel Hernandez, of Jamaica, New York, was born in 1972 to a car mechanic. His father was always working on cars, and even owned a Nova and wagon. This had a big influence on Joel. By the time he was 17 years old, Joel had purchased his first lowrider. His passion for classic cars and hydraulics only grew from there.
As a family man, Joel kept lowriding and even got his kids involved by taking them cruising and listening to their suggestions. Joel had bought himself a ’64 Impala hardtop project. His teenage daughter Cassandra liked the ’64 but wanted a convertible. So Joel ended up selling his hardtop and began his search for a convertible. “I search for a project to build and I found this one on eBay in Maryland,” Joel explains. After having the winning bid, Joel went up to Maryland, loaded up the convertible in a trailer, and brought it back to New York.
The ragtop was in rough condition and needed a lot of work. It started off as a stock red color. “My daughter wanted it to be purple because she liked Barney,” Joel says. He began working on the bodywork and searching for the right purple to paint it. Once he found it, he took it to Send2Paint Auto Care in Astoria, New York, to lay the coats of candy. Dennis of Custom Lines in Queens added the pinstriping. Marvin Shivarain then added the window stitching and Steven Delgado in Brooklyn, New York, did all his chroming. Joel’s shop Astoria Sounds in Queens did the majority of the work, like the TPI installation; custom interior and massive sound system were all done in-house.
Since the car’s completion, Joel’s most precious memory is hitting switches in Time Square while cruising with his wife, Brenda, sons, Brendan and Joey, and his daughter, Cassandra, while playing Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” song.
Unfortunately, his daughter became ill and died two years ago, so this build and feature is dedicated to her memory.
1964 Chevy Impala
Vehicle Nickname
Barney
Owner
Joel Hernandez
Car Club
Drastic Auto Club
City
Jamaica, NY
Engine
350 with TPI, aluminum radiator, K&N air filter, chrome alternator, and valve covers
Suspension
Air ride
Interior
Purple leather in original pattern
Body/Paint
Candy purple paint
Sound
Pioneer deck, 8-inch Audio Pipe mids, four 12-inch Alpine subwoofers, and two Audio Pipe amplifiers
For those willing to brave the cold (by California standards) and start loading their car in at 4 a.m., the annual Mooneyes Xmas Party was another packed event and did not disappoint. Rumors have persisted for several years now that the event’s usual location, the Irwindale Speedway, will eventually come to an end, as the property has been scheduled for demolition and redevelopment as an outlet mall. A representative for Mooneyes could not confirm if 2015 would in fact be the last year at this location, and said they were hoping they could return in 2016. Only time will tell if this was the final year at the location.
The event is not only a favorite of hot rodders and lowriders alike for its abundance of vendors and huge assortment of cars, but live music, a pinup contest, and vintage drag racing also make it unlike any other event. The drags got off to a shaky start with a wreck happening during only the second race of the day. Thankfully no one was hurt. Things continued without a hitch and the crowd enjoyed everything on hand.
You’d be hard pressed not to find at least one ride you’d want to take home with you, which included traditional lowriders, bombs, motorcycles, gassers, deuce coupes, muscle cars, lead sleds, and even things as unusual as one of the actual ’58 Plymouths used in the 1983 film Christine. Hopefully this amazing landmark will survive a bit longer since seeing dragstrips get replaced by outlet malls sounds about as fun as a tax audit.
In 2001, Chris Parel was inspired to buy himself a motorcycle when his older brother, Leo, got his. It wasn’t until he was 18 years old that he was able to purchase it. His real dream was to customize a Softail with a Vicla style to it. Two years ago, Chris decided it was time to find and build his dream bike. His good friend Mike Pantil inspired him even more after he came out with his custom Vicla.
“I was determined to get a good deal on a Softail deluxe,” Chris says. He and his cousin Francis Park were on their way to check out a Softail with a salvaged title. Luckily for Chris, Leo found one with a clean title and cheaper than the one he was going to look at. They took a 35-minute drive to go check out the bike and after test riding it he bought it for $8,800. The Softail was all stock and in great condition.
The stock bike began its transformation with Mario Castro of Mario’s Autowork who stretched the fenders, built a center stand, custom-shaped the rear tire splash plate, and much more. Jason Soares of 66Rides installed the Misfit Industries air pistons. When the bodywork and modifications were done, the bike went to the Junkshop Pros in Honolulu, Hawaii, where Ron Carlos added the base, flake, and clear. DJ Wish added the custom candy pattern design. Chris then sent out parts to get chromed in California but the postal service lost his package. “The box had my swing arm, fork legs, calipers, and tons of nuts and bolts. Luckily after stressing for two weeks, the box was found and returned to me with everything already chromed.” Al’s Upholstery in Waipahu, Hawaii, did the seat while NBKustomz made a custom “Exodus” badge for the fenders.
Upon completion, Chris took his first ride through the streets of Oahu with his Section 8 MC members. “I rode my bike for the first time in Hawaii with my lady Jheyzle to commemorate my homie Mike Galutira who had died.
“I wouldn’t do anything different in the build of this bike because everything that happened led me to this moment. I’m truly blessed to have an opportunity to be featured in LOWRIDER magazine and to confirm my catholic faith.
2005 Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe
Owner
Chris Parel
Nickname
Exodus
City/State
Kapolei, HI
Club
Section 8 MC
Engine
V-2 four-stroke, Velocity stack air cleaner, K&N filter, and Samson True Dual 39-inch cholo exhaust
Body/Paint
Front fender was stretched 3 and 1/2 inches while the rear one was stretched 7 inches The bike was then painted with House of Kolor custom candy pale gold, candy champagne copper, silver, bronze with flake, and finished off with gold leafing and pinstriping.
Suspension
Shotgun shocks rear air suspension
Interior
Two-tone leather with dark brown and copper diamond stitching and copper vinyl piping.
Wheels/Tires
21-inch front and 16-inch rear H.D. smoothie with stainless twisted spokes with Avon Cobra tires
Shop: California Upholstery Owner: Joe Camacho City: Bell Gardens, CA
Bob & Sons, Henry’s Customs, Gabes Custom Interiors … all these names are synonymous within the custom upholstery world. And although all are legends in their own right, none have left an impact quite like California Upholstery has. From their innovating designs to the endless number of cars that are currently out on the street displaying their one-of-a-kind, highly sought after interiors. With assembly line precision, their interiors roll out of the Bell Gardens location as if it were a Detroit factory.
It was the early ’80s when Joe Camacho found himself working alongside his father, Jose, at their family upholstery shop, cutting and sewing everything from couches to the everyday original interior. As time grew, business ideals between them would eventually push Joe to pursue his own personal goals. “Dad wanted to keep doing traditional work and I wanted to do higher-end projects,” Joe says. So with a one-bay shop, Joe was off and running, taking in everything from original installs kits to full lowrider projects. “Because I had limited space, I had no choice but to finish these cars as quickly as possible,” he says. It was here that his assembly line productivity was born and still continues to this day.
Twenty years later they still do things the same way. As the clientele list grew, so did the shop, allowing Joe and crew to serve some lowriding royalty, such as Southside, New Movement, and Lifestyle car clubs. It would become commonplace for a car to go from his shop directly to the vehicle’s cover photoshoot. Eventually, California Upholstery’s popularity would also lead them to work for A-list celebrities, such as Gerardo Ortiz, David Beckham, The Game, Topo “The Wide Body King,” as well as many a Dub car.
“When I first started, all I wanted was to create interiors that I would want to be seen in and drive,” Joe says. And with interiors ranging anywhere form $2,000 to $12,000, he has made it affordable for anyone to own one of his unique creations. With a system in place, which will not allow them to fall behind, and with longtime workers, such as Santos Alonso (who has been with him for over 20 years), you can bet Joe will keep his word when it comes to completing a car. “Truth be told, it is my sister, Grace, who runs the day-to-day operations. She is the real brains behind this operation. I don’t know how she coordinates all of this,” he says. “With over 15 estimates to write a day, I really don’t know how she finds time to do it all. We couldn’t do it without her.” With a minimum three-month waiting list, make sure to call and reserve your spot today. Joe and family are waiting to hear from you.
What is the biggest change you have seen when it comes to upholstery?
Nobody wants original or traditional interiors any more. Even the once-sacred 1958 is getting complete custom interiors that are hot-rod inspired.
Who was your biggest influence?
Javier of Mexico Collision was the first to give me complete artistic freedom. During my single-bay days, he would drop off a car at 6 a.m. and would pick up the competed version at 6 p.m.
What would you like to see change?
The painters always take all the credit and money. It seems as if majority of a project car budget always goes to the paint, with the remainder going to the interior. I’m glad to see more and more car owners using their budget to help push the level of fabrication and design.
How has social media impacted your business?
It is become a platform to showcase our work, serves as free advertisement. It is also a way to keep our customer updated with the progress of their cars.
Inspiration for our projects comes in all shapes and forms. For some, it is about making a dream come true, while others simply want to make a statement. For Ruben Ramirez of San Diego, California, it was life’s unfortunate circumstances that led him to create this ’49 Chevy 3100 masterpiece. With the recent death of his mother, Maria, and his son Ruben “Little Ruben” Alberto Ramirez serving in the Marines, Ruben found himself reflecting as he went through old family albums. It was there that he came across a picture of a Chevy pickup he would drive around in with his father when he was just a little boy. So for Ruben, a much-needed distraction would take the shape of a complete frame-off restoration by transforming a recently purchased ’49 Chevy pickup into one resembling that of his childhood days.
No time was wasted. Immediately after purchasing the pickup for a mere $3,500, it was off to longtime friend, Frank Saurez, who would rebuild the original straight-six inline 216, as well as adding numerous chrome accessories along with a three-speed floor transmission and custom dual exhaust. From there, Marlo’s, in National City, applied a two-stage Cream PPG color mixture mimicking the truck’s original factory color. At Pacific Upholstery in San Diego, Oscar would install a Brown Sandstone suede leather interior covering the original bench seat. While Luie, at Car Connection in San Diego was installing a custom airbag suspension, Ruben and Little Ruben (who was now on leave from his military service) began adding the finishing touches to the project. They bolted on the original artilleries, which were painted and detailed with accenting pinstriping, and then mounted onto Firestone 5-60 whitewall tires. The last thing to complete was the bed’s custom woodgrain-finished floor, which this father and son team decided to take on themselves. In doing so, they created their own memories just like the ones Ruben had with his father so many years ago.
Dreams seldom become realities by themselves, and according to Ruben this one had a lot of people who helped out. “Special thanks to Jesse Garcia, Frank Suarez, Luie, Oscar, and everyone else who lent a hand … like fellow Oldies Car Club members. Also to my grandson, Emilio, your trokita is waiting for you.”
1949 Chevy 3100
Nickname
Emilio’s Troka
Owner
Ruben Ramirez
City
San Diego
Engine
Frank Saurez rebuilt the original 216 adding chrome accessories along with a three-speed floor transmission and custom dual exhaust.
Upholstery
Oscar at Pacific Upholstery in San Diego would install the suede brown leather interior to the original bench seat.
Body/Paint
Marlo’s in National City applied a two-stage cream PPG color mixture, mimicking the truck’s original factory color.
Suspension
Luie at Car Connection in San Diego installed the custom airbag suspension setup.
Wheels/Tires
Original artilleries mounted onto Firestone 5-60 whitewall tires.
For any lowrider traditionalist, the hydraulic suspension is the heart of this automotive culture. It’s what makes a lowrider truly stand apart from all the rest. Whether you’re captured by the low and lean style of a ride that lays frame to the floor, or you love the dancing or hopping action, it can be said that hydraulics are coveted by the lowrider enthusiast.
How Does It Work?
The basic premise of a hydraulic system is to use cylinders that are similar to a shock absorber in example, to raise a vehicle up and lower it down. The way it works is through electric pump motors, dump valves, accumulators, and batteries. The electric-driven pumps compresses pressure on the oil, thus extending the cylinders up, and when the valves that hold the pressure are released, the fluid returns into the reservoir tank.
PROS:
Feels more traditional because it also defines a lowrider
Quicker action, more batteries for quicker performance
The sound of hydraulics is simply irreplaceable
Ability to three-wheel and hop with ease
More components means more room to get creative in your setup
More components to chrome, polish, gold plate, or engrave
In use since 1955, hydraulic suspensions have a history of performance so long as the installation is done correctly using quality parts
It’s easy to spot a leak. Just look for oil.
When the right size of coils used for weight distribution and shocks are mounted front and rear, the ride comfort compares to air suspension just the same
CONS:
More complex to install
Takes up more space because of components and batteries
If it leaks it will fill you car with hydraulic fluid, whereas a leak on air suspension will fill you car with … air
Oil, batteries, and a crappy install can lead to fire
Not knowing how to use the switches properly can ruin your setup by blowing seals or hoses
More expensive to maintain
You have to maintain batteries and make sure they’re charged
Compressors take time to gather pressure while batteries do not
Much more weight than air suspension
Too much battery force and weight can buckle a car’s body structure and frame
No height gauges are currently available
You’re going to have to cut the frame of your vehicle
Hydraulic suspension is what makes a lowrider truly stand apart from the rest.
While both hydraulic and air suspensions have their pros and cons, the ultimate decision is up to you and your own personal preference and style. As for me, well, being an old-school purist I’d never switch from a hydraulics setup. The action, the delivery, and the complexities of a hydraulic system makes it all worth the extra money and time to maintain them.
I do admit that maintaining an air system would be a lot less time-consuming but sometimes pain is part of the process when you alter a suspension. The tediousness of maintaining a hydraulic setup makes you appreciate owning a lowrider and it’s become a tradition to maintain batteries, while the sound and action of hydraulics alone makes it all worth the while.
Much akin to the food game, it’s safe to say that it’s like hosting a barbecue. You could always opt to order a party platter from Lucille’s, but nothing beats the tradition, the familiarity, and the pain of having to go to the store and throw some meat on the grill with a beer and some good friends.
Our Advice
Regardless of the system you choose, both of them will require regular maintenance and inspection. In addition, a correctly installed system (regardless of whether it’s air or juice), will provide you with years of worry-free service, and while both will eventually leak, the proper installation will ensure that the problem won’t come anytime soon.
We also advise you to seek professional consultation if you plan on using either of the systems. While hydraulics seem to have earned a bad rap for being bouncy and providing a bad ride, all we can say is that you can easily make a hydraulic system run as smooth as an air system so long as you dial in all your components, choose the right parts, and choose the right experienced and professional installer. Though it may be fun to gather a few club members up at your driveway to help perform a possible Frankenstein experiment on your setup, you will spend just as much cash on the barbecue and entertainment that you would going down to a professional shop like we did with this hydraulic project install.
A professional shop is recommended for a hydraulics project install.
We took a ’79 Lincoln Continental Mark V “Hydro Continental” and delivered it to House of Pain Customs in Baldwin Park, California, to install a CCE Equipped Hydraulic front and back double whammy setup. Follow along as we introduce to you how the basic steps of a hydraulic setup are installed into an inevitable lowrider. The crew at House of Pain brought together an All Star group of Hydraulic Pros, which included the appearance of Hellified Hydraulics and the Keith Richards welding experience.
1. The first steps all begin by jacking up the vehicle and pulling off the wheels and tires once on jackstands.
2- 3. The crew at House of Pain Customs quickly removed the front and back shocks, then begin to cut part of the front coils down to size to help remove the original coils easier from the front A-arms.
4. After being cut to a shorter size the front coils are pried out with a large crow bar.
5. From there the original front coils are then cut down to about a 4 and 1/2 turns so that the vehicle will lock and lay down to the frame.
6. Luis cuts the precise hole and fitment for the 8-inch CCE cylinders to go through. He uses a Miller plasma cutter to make the hole where the original shock was mounted to the frame.
7. Experience, skill, and the Miller Plasma Cutter combine to make a perfectly round hole for the hydraulic cylinder.
8. The CCE 8-inch front cylinders are fitted with the kit-supplied elbow fitting that are Teflon taped down on the threads before they are tightened down.
9. The cylinder’s donut and flat plate cups are assembled to the front cylinders.
10. The front and rear cylinders are placed on a bench vise to tighten down the elbow fittings to prevent any oil leaks.
11. The front cylinders and coils are then installed inside the front A-arms of the vehicle.
12. Luis uses his MillerMatic 210 welder to weld the larger and wide-diameter rear flat plates to the rear original coils that were cut down to 2 and 1/2 turns to lock and lay the vehicle.
13. Jesse applies his welding capabilities in the “Hydro project” by welding up the Optima Batteries rack with measured out and cut-to-size angle iron.
14. The two battery racks are then welded to the right and left side of the big Lincoln’s trunk floor.
15. Two Yellow Tops are then placed in each side of the permanent rack to complete the four each battery-powered Hydraulic system.
16. Pete from Hellified Hydraulics comes in to lend a hand in the double-whammy pump assembly.
17. The CCE dumps are being installed onto the blocks.
18. The return hoses are also connected to complete the hydraulic pump system, which will mount on top and center of the trunk, leaving lots of space in the trunk for three ice chests full of cold beer.
19. Big Luis jumps inside the trunk to add hydraulic fluid to the large whammy tank, which is recommended instead of motor oil or tranny fluid.
20. The hydraulic pump system is place on a welded rack also, so that the system can be bolted up in place.
21. That’s the “low down” when it comes to a basic front and back hydraulic suspension install.
The sky is certainly the limit in turning what’s in your mind’s eye to reality when it comes to cars. You have a chance to do something no one else has created. In Eddie Mijangos’ case, since he’s Guatemalan, he wanted to go with a Mayan-themed ride to honor his heritage.
With a paintjob as green as the quetzal it has enough engraving in Mayan motif to make the gods smile. Having graced the pages of LOWRIDER before with his ’87 Cutlass “Evil Ways” and ’61 Impala “Bugsy Malone,” you can be sure that he wasn’t going to pull any punches, making this stand out.
Eddie picked up this ’62 in original condition and took it over to M&M Hydraulics in Ontario, California, where they reinforced, wrapped, and molded the frame. They then put in a Ford 9-inch rear, dropped in old-school Hoppo’s pumps, four-square dumps, one tank, four batteries, four solenoids, 8-inch front and 10-inch rear cylinders, and four switches. Stopping those 13-inch Zeniths are Lincoln rear disc brakes and CPP discs in front.
Winston’s Auto Repair put in a 350 with plenty of chrome and serpentine setup and tied it to the 700-R trans with an extended and engraved driveshaft. The fuel tank was also engraved and done by Jaime Castaneda after OG Wiro came up with all the patterning, which includes a Mayan calendar in the trunk.
Lexus front seats and the rest of the interior was done by California Upholstery in all leather, along with a vinyl top with suede on the inside layer as well as a custom console. A Dakota Digital dash, CPP chrome tilt column, and JL Audio components complete the rest of the inside with stereo installation, done by Audio Factory.
The exterior was shod in an organic candy green with a gold base by Javier and Mexico Collision Center in South Gate, California. Curly’s Pinstriping handled the fine lines with the murals done by OG Wiro.
Eddie would like to thank his wife and sons for their support as well as Felix, Steve, Martin, and P. Nut. It’s hard to imagine this car being able to stand out any more than it already does. We look forward to seeing it at the shows.
1962 Chevy Impala Convertible
Vehicle Nickname
El Quetzal
Owner
Eddie Mijangos
City/State
Huntington Park, CA
Engine
350 V-8, 700-R trans
Suspension
Wrapped, molded, and reinforced frame. Ford 9-inch rear, Hoppo’s pumps, four-square dumps, one tank, four batteries, four solenoids, 8-inch front and 10-inch rear cylinders, and four switches. Work by M&M Hydraulics.
Sound System
JL Audio components by Audio Factory
Interior
Leather with Lexus seats and custom console by California Upholstery
Body/Paint
Organic candy green with a gold base by Mexico Collision Center in South Gate, CA. Pinstriping by Curly’s Pinstriping, murals done by OG Wiro, engraving by Jaime Castaneda.
Wheels/Tires
13×7-inch Zenith Wire wheels with three-prong original knockoffs / 5.20 Premium Sportways
Chevy in 1962
In 1962 you could get one of the following car models: Bel Air, Biscayne, Chevy II 100, Chevy II 300, Chevy II Nova 400 (Chevy IIs were new for 1962), Corvair 500, Corvair 700, Corvair 900 Monza, Corvette, or Impala. A ’62 Impala convertible weighed approximately 3,560 pounds and was priced around $3,026. Engine availability on all passenger cars included the 153ci inline-four, 194ci inline-six, 235ci inline-six; 283, 327, 409 V-8s; and the 145ci flat six on the Corvair. Medium-duty trucks were offered with optional diesel engines for the first time in 1962. The turbocharged Spyder option was also new for 1962 on Corvairs, which had a production amount of 6,894. The Corvair was discontinued in 1969 after a nine-year production run and Elvis Presley bought his wife, Priscilla, a ’63 model as a college graduation gift.
When it comes to the right components in an air suspension kit for your ride, get the best quality products your installer prefers and your ride deserves!
Who doesn’t love an amazing 2-for-1 deal? ViAir 444C dual-performance value-pack air systems furnish you with two identical air compressors for your lowrider on-board air suspension system. The versatile 12V compressors can operate on their own, or connect to an air tank (10 gallons max). For some applications, you may want both compressors running off the same tank. The head assembly features a newly developed intercooler for more efficiency. Choose from either a polished chrome or stealth black finish-and remember, when the pressure’s on, make sure you’re equipped with ViAir … “the heart of your pneumatic system.”
ViAir 444C dual-performance value-pack air systems include:
Two 444C compressors
Two stainless steel braided leader hoses with inline check valve
Two air filter assemblies
Two remote mount brackets
Two remote mount fittings
Four spare air filter elements
Six airline clips
Eight sets of nuts, bolts, washers, and lock washers
Universal airbags manufactured specifically for car guys by car guys! Universal Air Suspension was founded in early 2000 with one goal in mind: Manufacture an air spring that will out perform all others. Universal Air is operated out of a 15,000-square-foot facility in San Bernardino, California, where they manufacture airbags and distribute all air suspension accessories. They specialize in air spring that extends several inches higher than any other bag in its size class. Allowing for the extra clearance required without having to run a “Triple Bellow” Universal Airs quality oil resistance synthetic material and high-quality construction of air spring bags are all over the world. Today’s automotive suspensions require ride height, comfort, and handling. Made in the USA.
E-Level By Accuair-Electronic Leveling System Four-Corner Package with Touch Pad System
Operation of the e-Level system is simple, yet its features are constantly working to provide you with the perfect ride height in all conditions. Because the e-Level system utilizes height sensors instead of pressure sensors, changes in load are accurately corrected for. The adjustments made by an e-Level controller are so accurate that each wheel maintains its height within 1/8 inch and actually prevents cross-loading of air springs at a higher accuracy than any other method. This is all made possible because the system calibrates to the vehicle upon installation and then learns how your air suspension behaves over time (similar to the technology used in today’s advanced fuel injection systems). This flexibility allows the e-Level controller to be used on any vehicle with a wide variety of valve speeds and requires NO user tuning.
The Accuair 4, corner control solenoid valve system 4-Corner Valve Unit, is engineered to provide the cleanest installation and most reliable operation on the market. This electronic solenoid valve unit inflates and deflates up to (four) individual Air Springs and has built-in push-to-connect 3?8-inch DOT-approved air fittings for all of its plumbing connections. The robust internal solenoid valve architecture maximizes flow rates, provides bubble-tight sealing, and guarantees operation up to 200 psi for millions of cycles. All of this technology is housed in a unique enclosure design, which routes each of the solenoid wires to a single weatherproof connector, eliminating typically loose wires. This not only improves the appearance, but it also guarantees proper operation for every installation.
In our opinion, a quality air suspension product and the right installer will give you a great and dependable ride. If you prefer a bolt-on kit to keep the investment value on your classic ride, go with air. Whatever gets you down on the ground is all that really matters. We are in this thing for looks anyway!
When a brand is enthusiastic and passionate about its products and customers, it becomes clearly evident in the ways they reach out to their community and core consumers. In short, they become intertwined into the lifestyle arena within their industry and they take a proactive role in building events and campaigns around their products. That said, Axalta serves as a great example of a company who is passionate and dedicated to their craft, and their annual Winter Panel Jam has become one of our favorites to attend.
The Winter Panel Jam is an annual shindig, which is presented by Axalta Coating Systems. In its fifth installment, they’ve once again gathered the world’s top artists, pinstripers, and painters. The event, which was held in Long Beach, California, at the new Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Campus, was home to some incredible custom pattern work, airbrushed murals, gold leaf, and pinstriping.
During the event, artists used Axalta’s Cromax basecoats and clearcoats and Hot Hues candy dyes and pinstripe colors to create custom art on hoods, miniature car bodies, pedal cars, and more. “The event brings together a group of talented artists to collaborate, learn from and teach each other, and ultimately create some fantastic artwork that Axalta will display at custom car shows across the country throughout the year,” Harry Christman, Axalta Cromax Brand Manager, says. “We’re happy to give these students an opportunity to connect with the industry’s best. The first few years we did this at our Pomona, California, Learning and Development Center. Last year, we decided to engage the trade school community by holding the event at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College in downtown Los Angeles. This year, we chose to work with UTI to celebrate our growing relationship, help promote the school’s capabilities, and to expose their students to this very unique aspect of automotive paint.”
We tip our hats, and raise our glasses to yet another great Winter Panel Jam and we can’t wait to see what they’ve got in store for next year. Till next time, keep your paint polished and your chrome spotless.
City Long Beach, Ca Owner Luis “Speedy” Rodriguez Car Club Highclass Car Club
One part Sulfuric Acid and 100 parts Chromic Acid is in essence what most of us refer to as chrome plating, and since 1924 the recipe for commercial chrome has gone virtually unchanged. While the use of chrome plating has humble beginnings, coating items such as door knobs, jewelry, and small car parts, its presence within the lowrider community was not readily felt until the late ’80s when our competitive culture led each new car that came to a car show to be adorned with more and more chrome and gold finishing. While hot rod builders were painting over chrome bumpers and trim, lowriders were plating every bolt and possible metal piece found on their cars, accenting the colorful vibrant paintjobs of the day.
It was this environment that Luis “Speedy” Rodriguez would walk into when moving from Mexico in 1989. Speedy would soon find himself working at a local metal plating shop, which would eventually go out of business. Knowing he did not want to work for anyone else, and with a set of skills recently acquired, Speedy, one polisher, and one polishing machine became what is known as Speedy’s Metal Finishing. “I always heard customers complain about missing parts or parts not being done in time,” Speedy says. “I did not have a secretary or filing system at the time, so I had to get creative and find a system that worked for me.” Speedy says he knew this would be key to his success.
His son, Jonathan, would eventually join the team, who at 12 years old came on board when Speedy’s business was really starting to blossom. Within a few years they found themselves chrome plating some of the scene’s heavy hitters, like Los Angeles Car Club, Stylistics Car Club, Game Killa, Lifestyle Car Club, Krazy Kreation, and more notably plating the frame of LOWRIDER of the Year, an ’87 Cutlass Supreme RM Series, “The Big Payback.”
Along with having some of the industry’s top chrome plating, Speedy has steadily taken over the custom engraving market since the late ’90s when engraving became a quintessential part of most every lowrider build.
From car club plaque polishing to gold-plated engraving.
From chrome, gold, engraving, and polishing, Speedy has become the go-to shop for all of the top lowrider builders. These days his work is displayed on many of his Highclass Car Club members’ vehicles, as well his personal cars, like “Expensive Taste,” a Cadillac covered from top to bottom with custom metal finishing, along with a ’64 Chevy Impala that would end up on the cover of LOWRIDER.
“I am always on the scene,” Speedy says. “You will never hear about people asking for their parts; my reputation is everything, my quality speaks for itself. I will not plate anything unless it has been copper dipped.” There is only one way to find out, so visit Speedy and crew today for all your metal finishing needs.
Saturday, April 23-April 24, Lowrider magazine is taking over the Dade County Fair for the 2016 Miami Custom Car Super Show.
This is an officially sanctioned Lowrider Magazine qualifying round for the 2016 Las Vegas Finals.
Featuring some of the country’s top lowriders including the 2015 Lowrider Bomb of the year , Chris Melendez’s ’51 Chevy Deluxe as well as a variety of other vehicles including donks, dubs, imports, exotics, luxury custom trucks, hot rods, classics, 4x4s, motorcycles, bikes, and more!
Come for the cars stay for the other fun activities.
Hang out with icons from the Lowrider community including members from Lowlyfe, Goodtimes, Loyalty, Aftermath, Individuals, 25 Street Riders, and more!
Check out the live music acts including Trick Daddy and DJ Laz.
Also check out the hop contest brought to you by Red Miami.
Save time at the gate and purchase your tickets from Ticketmaster here.
For more information including vehicle registration, sponsorship, and vendor booths please visit www.miamilowridercarshow.com or call 954-642-1848.
Tattoo artist Opie Ortiz of Long Beach, CA is best known for his artwork featured on Sublime album covers. Ortiz along with Troy Holmes (Bradley Nowell’s widow) have been trying to create a limited edition line for several years. It wasn’t until Troy hooked up with Sullen that they were able to make it happen. Sullen Clothing and Opie Ortiz hosted an art show at Collective Ink Gallery in Garden Grove, CA to release the new clothing line. The gallery theme was on the 20-year anniversary of Sublime’s self-titled final studio album. Artists that participate included Arlo DiCristina, Robert Atkinson, Carlos Torres, Ryan Smith, Maya Fonseca, Q and Alan Padilla.
Another artist displaying Paint And Hope from Orange County who is known for his custom painted 40oz bottles. “Tory had seen my bottles and contacted me on social medial about participating in the gallery.” With Sublime having a song titled “40 Oz. to Freedom” Paint and Hope was ideal to contribute something. One of the pieces that stood out from the crowd and had everyone talking was a Hernan D’aloia’s engraved metal sculpture. Hernan might be new to the tattoo art scene but he is an OG in the lowrider scene.
Before Alejandro “Chinito” Vega II was born, he was destined to be a lowrider. His father Chino Vega is a lowrider legend and saw this ’51 Murray Deepside pedal car at a fellow USO member’s house. The pedal car was in poor condition with an old white paintjob. “I asked him what he was going to do with it and he told me his son outgrew it and if I wanted it, I could have it,” Chino explains. With a baby on the way, Chino decided to take it and build it for his son. His goal was to have it ready to be displayed at his wife Jessenia’s “lowrider theme” baby shower.
Being a multiple LOWRIDER of the Year titleholder, Chino couldn’t just build a simple pedal car. He began by lowering it, removing the pedals, and custom-building the front and rear axles to hold the stroller wheels. The original rivets and front face of the stroller was shaved off. The custom-built bumpers and grille were sent out, along with the original steering wheel, hood ornament, and windshield trim to Engrave It Inc. in Ontario, California. There, Artie engraved it and added the two-tone chrome and gold plating. Alex at Dino’s Custom Upholstery in Arleta, California, wrapped the custom seat in orange, yellow, and blue suede.
Before painting it, they wanted to come up with a good theme for Chinito’s pedal car. Since Chino is from a town in Mexico known for sea turtles hatching their eggs, they wanted to go with a sea turtle theme. They figured a Finding Nemo theme would be perfect for him. Chino sprayed the yellow paint at C&L Customs and added the patterns. Brian Ferre at Brico Industries pinstriped it, and Alberto Herrera of Quality Art in Visalia, California, finished it off by adding the Finding Nemo-themed murals. Now with his first LOWRIDER feature, Chinito is well on his way to following his dad’s footsteps.
1951 Murray Deepside
Nickname
Finding Nemo
Owner
Alejandro “Chinito” Vega II
City/State
Sylmar, CA
Club
USO
Body/Paint
Axalta yellow paint with orange patterns
Cool Cars Engineering is the manufacturer/distributor for CCE hydraulics and CCE Air Systems. Established 15 years ago in Louisville, Kentucky, they go all-out for complete customer satisfaction. They use only the finest quality parts, such as Marzocchi pump-heads, Oil Systems Italian dumps, Parker air valves, Accurate solenoids, Parker hoses, fittings, and have their own laser-cut suspension brackets. They offer you the best technical support possible for customers. Being an established business with a dedicated shipping staff allows them to ship orders out the same day payment is received. Here is a close look at some of the best quality Hydraulics components out there in today’s market.
Hydraulic Automotive Suspensions have been around for more than 50 years. Though we have come a long way in performance and built-to-last components, installation is still a key factor when it comes to reliability and comfort. Do you have the right weight balance of coil springs front and back with shocks all the way around? Yes! If you can relocate your front shock’s worth of brackets you can experience a great ride that will compare to the best air suspension setup out there. At the end of the road, battery acid holes on your pants and oils stains on your shirt makes a real lowrider man! … Just my opinion.
After years of hopping and dancing cars and trucks, CCE Hydraulics introduces the next generation of pumpheads to the lowrider industry. This is a CCE exclusive design. The CCE #11 has a unique design that consists of a completely different mounting bolt pattern configuration designed only to work with their new CCE blocks for maximum performance. The new E-Shape seal, along with the larger inlet port, allows for maximum pressure performance. The new CCE #11 will work in all applications, whether you are a cruiser or a hopper. This gear will have the reliability and performance your lowrider is looking for.
’59-64 Impala Carrier Bearing And Slip Yoke
On ’59-64 Chevy Bel Airs, Impalas, and Biscaynes, the driveshaft is a two-piece unit that runs through the frame. When the rear end is raised the driveshaft moves downward. As the driveshaft moves downward, it puts a tremendous amount of stress on the carrier bearing. The carrier bearing that came from the factory in these cars was never meant to take this stress and will rip out under pressure. The carrier bearing they offer is a one-piece aluminum part with a polyurethane bushing that is 70 percent stronger than stock. Using this will provide strength where the driveshaft goes through the frame, but will not solve all problems. To make this two-piece driveshaft system work trouble-free, you also need to add a “slip yoke” to your driveshaft yoke that is splined and connected to the driveshaft by another spline piece so that they can slide in and out of each other when the car raises or lowers to keep from pulling on the carrier bearing.
Upper and Lower Adjustable Trailing Arms
CCE’s trailing arms are designed to fully adjust your pinion angles anytime you want a higher lookup and are recommended for three-wheeling. These trailing arms come with polyurethane bushing, which is a heavy-duty rubber that doesn’t wear and tear as fast as the OEM. CCE’s trailing arms are made with 1/4-inch DOM and 1 and 1/2-inch DOM, sleeve ends 2-inch outer diameter and 1/4-inch wall.
Coilover Setup
The rear coilover setup is your best choice for rear suspension applications. The C.O. Setup is design to allow the cylinder shaft to pivot freely side-to-side and three-wheel without your coil springs popping out of the spring pocket. CCE’s coilover setup consists of top, bottom, and swivel ball cups. A must-have for the rear suspension of any lowrider.
LED 4 Switch Panels
Complete the looks of your lowrider custom dash with this new LED switch panel. The 4 Switch mount panel allows you to change to the LED color that best fits the color of your custom interior.
Extended Coilover Setup
The extended coilover setup is a different variation from the normal coilover, which allows the cup to sit all the way over the swivel cup. The main purpose of the Extended coilover setup is that CCE’s exclusive Coil Over Design Cup will allow larger vehicles to achieve a better ride by adding 11/2 turns of coil for a more comfortable ride or simply just to sit lower.
Optima Batteries: It’s All About the “Yellow Top”
The power demands of today’s cars, trucks, and SUVs are greater than ever, and Optima Batteries delivers. Optima batteries utilizes patented Spiralcell Technology, which provides a strong, clean power source that far surpasses any of today’s lead/acid batteries. That means Optima starting and deep-cycle batteries have the power you need to run high-performance Hydaulic systems, high-output stereo equipment, LCD screens, and more. Optima Batteries feature a spill-proof, vibration-resistant case for added safety and they also last twice the lifespan of comparable batteries. Let Optima RedTop, YellowTop, or BlueTop Batteries meet your power demands! To get amped up, visit www.optimabatteries.com.
