Armando Salazar’s 2002 GMC Denali

We are all products of our environment. For Armando Salazar, this is no exception. Growing up in the Lowrider scene he knew sooner or later he would have his own lowrider. Watching his dad cruise a custom Caprice named Black Beauty, as well as his uncles Richard, Ruben, and Shorty hop and three-wheel up and down the infamous Central Boulevard, Armando was destined to be part of the car culture. So shortly after moving to Arizona and joining Swift Car Club with a then-stock Denali, the making of one of Phoenix’s most memorable dub cars would begin.

The project began with an upgrade to the 2002 6.0 stock engine by adding a Flowmaster exhaust installed by Eddie at Tune It, in Phoenix. Eddie also installed the custom gray leather interior along with the numerous Rockford Fosgate TVs found throughout the vehicle. The record-breaking amount of screens includes eight 21-inch and 26 7-inch monitors, as well an Xbox gaming system and custom 3-inch rearview monitor. The Denali was then lowered with Eibach springs and GMC ground effects were added all the way around. With a unique blend of Dark Sangria Red two-stage paint sprayed through the vehicle, Chavo of Chavo’s Pinstriping was then called in to create a full custom paintjob by layering a variety of color combinations, which included pinks, blues, and teals, along with outlining pinstripe and silver leafing. With LED lighting added throughout the vehicle by Tim of Unique Lighting the finishing touches were left to Damone Early, who would gold plate the custom 30-inch U2 wheels, making them the only wheels of this enormity to be found in the West Coast.

“No project is complete without the help of friends and family,” Armando says. “And special thanks are in order for Chavo, Damone, Eddie, and all my club brothers who lent a hand. Most importantly to my fiancee and kids … thank you for putting up with me and those long hours spent in the garage.”