A LOWRIDER
HALLMARK EXCLUSIVE HOLIDAY
LO LOWRIDING G INTHE
G HIGH ALTITUDE
ORNAMENTS
SHOCK THERAPY CONTROL THAT BOUNCE ON YOUR IMPALA & BUICK
SEASON II · EPISODE 6
FRONT & REAR
SUSPENSION
CONSULTATION BEFORE PROBATION
UPGRADE
NOV. 2017
LOWRIDER.COM LOWRIDER.COM
O LOWRIDER.COM V O L U M E
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I S S U E
CONTENTS
1 1
FEATURES
10 Keepin' it G 18 Making His Mark 32 The One That Almost Got Away 36 Smooth Operator 52 Truck of the Month 56 Hometown Heroes 62 In the Shadows 92 New Cars Have No Soul
Junior Ledesma's '87 Oldsmobile Cutlass & Tavo's '87 Buick Regal Isaac Sainz's '79 Lincoln Continental Mark V Collectors Series Bert Ortiz-Nolan's '64 Chevy Impala SS Perry Bunker's '62 Chevy Impala
Luis Ramirez's '59 Chevy Apache
Hermenegildo Aguilar Jimenez's '81 Lincoln Mark VI Continental
Willie Vaughn's '63 Chevy Impala SS
David Novelo's '38 Ford Roadster Convertible DeLuxe
DEPARTMENTS 06 Editorial 07 MotorTrend OnDemand Schedule 22 On the Scene 26 On the Scene 66 Roll Playerz 70 Tanks & Tails 88 Lowrider Bicycle 96 New Products 98 Roll Models Series
TECH
74 Total Cost Involved Chevy C10 Makeover 78 Art of the Frame
From front to back, TCI Engineering has your suspension handled
Art Morrison's new frame for the '59-'64 Impala is truly a work of art
Therapy for your Classic Impala or 82 Shock Riviera
This final step can help absorb the pains of a bouncy ride and help eliminate a harsh, unsafe ride
EVENT 40 2017 Lowrider Super Show Denver On the Cover are the G-"Body Doubles" of an ’87 Olds Cutlass and Buick Regal, provided by the G-men of Maniacos Car Club. Lowrider (ISSN # 0199-9362), November 2017, Vol. 39 No. 11. Copyright © 2017 by TEN: The Enthusiast Network Magazines, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Published monthly by TEN: The Enthusiast Network, LLC., 261 Madison Ave., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10016. Periodicals Postage paid at New York, NY and at additional mailing offices. Subscription rates for one year (12 issues): U.S., APO, FPO and U.S. Possessions $35.00. Canadian orders add $12.00 per year and international orders add $24.00 per year (for surface mail postage). Payment in advance, U.S. funds only. For a change of address, six weeks’ notice is required. Send old as well as new address to Lowrider magazine, P.O. Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 321420235. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission. Printed in the U.S.A. This book is purchased with the understanding that the information presented is from varied sources for which there can be no warranty or responsibility by the Publisher as to the accuracy or completeness. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 707.4.12.5); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: send address corrections to Lowrider, P.O. Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0235.
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E S T A B L I S H E D
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ROLL DEEP & STAY HUMBLE Not that you need a reminder but in this “I can’t believe it’s November” issue of Lowrider magazine, it’s yet another reminder of how fast time goes. In fact, time stands still for no one and once I’m done with this editor’s letter I’ll be another hour or two older than when I first started. That said, let’s waste no time because this issue is packed with all the good stuff you’ve come to expect. But first, let’s talk about a Hallmark experience that just recently went down. A few months back Lowrider teamed up with Hallmark—yes that Hallmark, the one that makes greeting cards and keepsakes, and the same brand that has helped millions celebrate birthdays and special occasions with cards that literally take the words right out of your mouth. OK, so maybe I exaggerated. Hallmark cards always make our simplest sentiments into a poetic art form and it’s part of the reason why they’ve become such an iconic brand. As part of this special collaboration, I was able to fly to their headquarters to create and produce an upcoming Keepsake Ornament Holiday Collection; the trip was unreal. It was a mind-boggling experience that will produce a limited series of lowrider model designed ornaments, which will be available next year, and as equally exciting is what this says about our community. It’s definitely a milestone for our culture to be recognized by such an iconic company, and you can read more about that in this issue. As to be expected, we have a lineup of some great builds that include our G-body cover cars, brought to you by the G-Men from Maniacos Car Club. The fellas brought out a combo I like to call “Double Trouble,” and we’ve also got a picking of cars that vary from a couple of Lincolns, a ’59 Apache, as well as the customary and very necessary lines of some serious ’62, ’63,
and ’64 Impalas. Speaking of Impalas, outsiders would think that we would have gotten tired of Impalas, but when it comes to the world of lowriding no two are ever built the same. There are so many intricacies and custom work done to each lowrider we feature and if anything it’s become a testament to the power of our creative visions to be able to have thousands of custom builds that all sport their own unique and distinct flavor. While speaking on the subject of creative vision, you have to check out the chopped and slammed Ford bomb in this issue. One look at this bomb and there’s something very unique in the way it presents itself. It seems a lot lower and a lot longer than most we’ve seen and that’s because the owner decided to cut out the back seating area in order to extend the trunk, thus giving it a longer and meaner appeal. Also in this issue of Lowrider tech we go up on a hoist to introduce some quality suspension manufacturers. For starters, Art Morrison has long created frames that are a work of art, and their latest release is a complete rolling frame for the ’59-’64 Impala. It’s a frame that’s built to stand the test of time while offering time and money savings with a state-of-the-art suspension. In short, it’s like taking the body of a classic Impala and dropping it on the frame of a Vette—and it fits like a glove, too. Now when it comes to truck suspension, Total Cost Involved Engineering has you covered front to back, especially for early and popular model Chevy trucks. TCI has created both front and rear suspension kits that will replace your dated assembly and Lowrider takes a look at their latest offerings for the very popular ’63-’72 Chevy C10 pickup. It’s a performance upgrade that eliminates the leaf springs, offers an adjustable ride height, and stops your rig on a dime with disc 6
brakes—plus it’s all bolt-on! If you’re bouncing out of control while driving down the street then you’ll definitely need to get some shock therapy. We’ll be talking about how to prevent a bouncy and sloppy ride and that comes by way of QA1—a company that specializes in all things suspension related. Find out how their shocks can help stabilize and control your altered hydraulic or air ride suspensions and absorb the knowledge on how to properly stabilize your ride. When it comes to shows, we visit the high altitude of lowriding by offering coverage of the annual Denver Lowrider Super Show. This annual show has become a class act as hundreds braved dangerous driving conditions just to weather the storm and find solace at what has become an annual favorite. We also were “On the Scene” to bring the Rezmade show to you. We have to admit that this show is bringing its fair share of the heat and to tone things down a bit we close out this issue with a synopsis of the latest Roll Model. It’s our sixth episode of the second season we’ll be taking a look at Carlos Ramirez—a community activist and counselor who traded becoming a probation officer in law enforcement for counseling. Carlos now helps inner-city youth before it’s too late, and his job is one that gives him a chance to share his own story of struggles with kids who can identify with him and his love for lowriders. It’s a compelling story about a man who has taken preventive measures to help make sure that kids in his neighborhood stay on the right path long before they ever have to meet a probation officer. Respectfully, Joe Ray
jray@enthusiastnetwork.com
WHAT'S ON DEMAND THIS MONTH? 8/29/17
Dirt Every Day -Episode 68
8/31/17
Hot Rod Garage -Episode 56
9/1/17
Pirelli World Challenge
9/1/17
Roadkill -Episode 69
9/2/17
Pirelli World Challenge
9/3/17
Pirelli World Challenge
9/4/17
Ignition -Episode 182
9/5/17
The House Of Muscle -Episode 11
9/5/17
Gp Confidential
9/6/17
Modified -Episode 3
9/11/17
Engine Masters -Episode 26
9/11/17
Hot Rod Drag Week
9/12/17
Hot Rod Drag Week
9/13/17
Head 2 Head -Episode 94
9/13/17
Hot Rod Drag Week
9/13/17
Gp Confidential
9/14/17
Hot Rod Drag Week
9/15/17
Pirelli World Challenge
9/15/17
Hot Rod Drag Week
9/16/17
Pirelli World Challenge
9/18/17
Best Driver's Car
9/18/17
Ignition -Episode 183
9/19/17
Best Driver's Car
9/20/17
Best Driver's Car
9/20/17
Modified -Episode 4
9/21/17
Best Driver's Car
9/21/17
Roadkill Garage -Episode 22
9/22/17
Best Driver's Car
SCHEDULE KEY:
Racing Original Programs * The program information provided is subject to change.
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LOWRIDER L O W R I D E R . C O M
EDITORIAL Editor Joe Ray JRay@enthusiastnetwork.com Managing Editor Sarah Gonzales Feature Editor Beto Mendoza Senior Web Content Editor Ryan Whitehouse Web Content Editor Josh Ching
CONTRIBUTORS Phil Gordon, John Jarasa, Hector Leyva
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ARE YOU BUILDING YOUR LOWRIDER BECAUSE IT’S WHAT YOU WANT, OR BECAUSE IT’S WHAT’S COOL? READ UP AND TAKE A LESSON FROM THESE TWO MANIACOS.
STORY & PHOTOS BY BETO MENDOZA
10
NOVEMBER 2017 LOWRIDER
11
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Throughout this journey called life, we’re all prone to being judged, or passing judgment ourselves. From what we wear to what we drive, judgments are being made on a daily basis, and we’re either giving them or receiving them. And while it hardly matters what others think about us, it’s part of life and a habit typically done out of jealously, ignorance, or, quite simply, habit. Now, when it comes to the car
world things are no different and we’re all prone to passing judgment. I know that’s not what you want to hear but the truth of the matter is that we do it all day long. We judge other builds on the basis of paint quality, chrome quality, and the parts they use, and at the end of the day the first thing we notice is year, make, and model of the car. The car you roll up in almost automatically drops you into a different tax brack-
1987 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLE NICKNAME No Pasa Nada OWNER Junior Ledesma CITY/STATE Huntington Park, CA CLUB Maniacos L.A. SUSPENSION Two pumps, three Adexs, Accumax solenoids, and four Exide batteries BODY/PAINT House of Kolor with gold pearl and ice white pearl flake, pagan gold and Aztec gold for the fan, skips, fade-a-ways, and the rest of the patterns. Mike Lamberson added the gold leafing and striping while Rick Munoz added the murals. WHEELS/TIRES 13x7 Zenith Wire Wheels with custom knockoffs featuring an authentic Mexican 50-Peso Centenario gold coin and Premium Sportway 5.20s INTERIOR California Upholstery added the rustcolored suede, perforated leather, and regular leather for the custom interior that features Honda Accord front seats and Mercedes-Benz CLS550 backseats. Lokar billet door handles, Dolphin gauges, and a Nardi steering wheel were added. ENGINE 350 with Billet Specialties valve covers/air cleaner, RAB Performance water pump/alternator/starter, Accel distributor/wires, Hedman headers, MagnaFlow exhaust SOUND Pioneer head unit with two Diamond Audio amps, Infinity Kappa mids, and two 12-inch Kicker subwoofers 12
et—you know what I’m talking about. Seriously … pull up in a '57 Bel Air or a '58 Impala and you’ve automatically become a “baller.” But flip the script and roll up in a G-body and there’s less talk and the rumors are virtually nonexistent. In short, everyone leaves you alone. In light of that, many believe that G-bodies are basic lowriders for common folk, or a project car for the guy who just landed a decent-
NOVEMBER 2017 LOWRIDER
1987 BUICK REGAL VEHICLE NICKNAME El Envidioso OWNER Tavo CITY/STATE Florence, CA CLUB Maniacos L.A. SUSPENSION Three ProHopper pumps with three Adex dumps and 10 Centennial batteries BODY/PAINT House of Kolor Candy Copper with fade, water drop, and other patterns WHEELS/TIRES 13x7 88-spoke Daytons with 5.20 Premium Sportways INTERIOR California Upholstery put together custom interior with two-tone perforated leather and regular leather in rust and copper color. A Rolls-Royce starlight headliner, Lokar handles/vents, Dakota Digital gauges, and Nardi steering wheel completed the interior. ENGINE 350 with Demon carburetor, electric fan, and aluminum radiator SOUND Pioneer double-din with three JL Audio amps, Infinity mids, and two 10-inch JL Audio subwoofers 13
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paying job. But is it always true? Of course not. Some people buy Gbodies because that’s what they can afford but on the other end of the spectrum are the individuals who buy them because they love them, and that’s exactly the case for both Tavo and Junior from the Maniacos Car Club. While both could easily afford Impala rags, they’ve stuck to their
gut instincts and built cars that they truly desire. Aside from not wanting to go the “mainstream” route, these two truly love G-bodies and they’ll gladly choose an ’80s Cutty over a ’60s Impala any day of the week. “I’ve always loved Cutlasses and I’ve had history with this one,” Junior, who bought his Cutlass off of a friend of his, explains. At the 14
time of his purchase, the car was Candy Apple Red but the paint was in less-than-stable condition and severely chipped up. Because of that, he repainted the car white with a gold pearl and then transformed the interior by having it redone in a tan motif. A few years later, Junior took the car to Diamond Touch Body Shop and had them paint the belly but he was still looking
NOVEMBER 2017 LOWRIDER
for more. Soon enough, he had an unmentioned painter do some patterns but the job was so horribly done that he decided to take it to Levi in order to get it painted properly. But the costly mistake was a blessing in disguise as the new pattern that Levi dropped took the car to the next level. From there, the inspiration and nudges from his club members made him redo the
interior and the motor, which in turn created the full-blown show lowrider that you see here. Now moving on over to his partner in crime, Tavo begins to explain his love for G-bodies as being something that was always in his blood. He’s owned a G-body for most of his life, and about the only time he took a break was while raising his kids. The minute they got bigger, he 15
came back with a vengeance and that was roughly three years ago when he decided to scour Craigslist and score on this '87 Regal. The purchase was one that quenched his desire, and this same car is the one that would grant him entry into the Maniacos Car Club. In addition to that, it’s the car that would become a platform for his kids to learn firsthand what it takes to build and
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drive a lowirder. In building the car, he explains, “My goal is to teach my kids to work hard and stay dedicated. I want them to see what I’m doing in hopes that they too can own a lowrider of their own one day.” To begin, the build was jumpstarted by his friends Negro and Paisa who did the bodywork. Once complete, Levi sprayed the candy and pearl paint, Mike Lamberson added some leafing and 'striping while Spike reinforced the frame, chromed it out, and added the three-pump setup, which was followed by a visit to California Upholstery for the mandatory interior makeover. In all the duo have built G-bodies to reckon with and in turn created lowriders that were built out of self-respect for what they wanted— instead of what the scene deems as cool. And while the two cars speak volumes about keeping it real, it also serves as a great example that the best lowrider you can build is the one you truly desire. 16 6
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CAR MODEL
1979 MARK V LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
A DREAM TURNED REALITY THANKS TO GOOD FRIENDS AND FAMILY STORY & PHOTOS BY PHIL GORDON
Some of us browse magazines as a source of entertainment, others do it as a source of education, but for Isaac Sainz, flipping through the pages of Lowrider became a source of motivation and the things dreams are made of. Looking back, Isaac can recall seeing his first few Lincoln Continental Mark Vs, and that right there marked the beginning
of a love affair with the hard-lined classic automobile. It was a love affair that he would finally seal the deal on decades later, but one that was definitely worth the wait. At just 17 years of age, the then high school graduate enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. During their off time, he vividly recollects the memories of him sitting around 18
Designer series padded vinyl top covered the oval-shaped opera window for 1979.
with the fellas talking about what cars they’d build once they got back home. Those conversations would go on for four long years, and upon his return Isaac and a group of friends immediately started a car club called Classic Angels. His first project was a '63 Impala that only took months to customize into a show worthy vehicle, yet his heart was set on
NOVEMBER 2017 LOWRIDER
acquiring the Lincoln he had long dreamed of. Soon thereafter, one of the club members, Craig “Gringo� Coon, stumbled upon a '79 Lincoln Continental Mark V that was for sale. The vehicle was located in another country and in passing he had mentioned it to Isaac who in turn jumped on the deal and picked
This fully loaded gold grille Mark V was the top of the line in all luxury cars back in its time!
it up. Once the car was back home, both Isaac and Gringo went straight to work installing a complete custom hydraulic suspension. To begin, Gringo took two Pro Hopper pumps and completely rebuilt them. Custom-cut hard lines were wrapped around the pumps to add to the display factor and Adex dumps were chrome plated 19
and added to the setup. Isaac then enlisted Krazy Kutting to add a custom grille to the Lincoln while a Classic Angels logo replaced the Lincoln emblem on the hood. The interior was freshened up, the eight-track player was updated with a Pioneer double-din head unit, and an LA Wire steering wheel was added. Of course, no interior
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The '79 Collectors Series Continental had split posh recliner seats, console, a leather tool kit, and an umbrella as added accessories.
1979 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MARK V COLLECTORS SERIES VEHICLE NICKNAME OG ’79 OWNER Isaac Sainz CITY/STATE Miramar, FL CLUB Classic Angels BODY/PAINT PPG Midnight Blue by Craig “Gringo” Coon, chrome plating by Jose Hernandez from Hialeah Plating, gold plating by owner, Classic Angels hood ornament and grille by Krazy Kutting WHEELS/TIRES 13x7 triple gold OG wire wheels, Travelstar P155/80R13
INTERIOR Painted trim to match exterior, custom trunk panels, LA Wire Wheel steering wheel upholstered and color-matched by California Upholstery, Boman light bar from Hector Castro SUSPENSION Reinforced front suspension, two Pro Hopper pumps completely reworked and rebuilt with custom endcaps from Krazy Kutting, chrome and gold Adex dumps, four blue-top Optima batteries, custom stainless steel hard lines by Gringo SOUND SYSTEM Pioneer AppRadio 3 with backup camera, Pioneer components, Rockford Fosgate amplifier
20
would be complete without a Boman color bar to set the mood. Isaac wishes to thank his beautiful wife, Sophimar, as well as his three children, Nichole, Ismael, and Genesis for understanding and motivating him to never give up on his dream. A special thanks also goes to the members of Classic Angels, especially Gringo for all his help on the Lincoln.
FA L L 2 0 1 7 PIONEERELECTRONICS.COM/SOUND
PIONEER and the Pioneer logo are registered trademarks of Pioneer Corporation. ©2017 Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
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8TH ANNUAL TACHI PALACE HOTEL & CASINO EVENT STORY & PHOTOS BY BETO MENDOZA
22
NOVEMBER 2017 LOWRIDER
(Opposite page) Top-notchbuilt '65 convertible is all that.
Reserved spots at the Rezmade Show.
For the eighth consecutive year, the Rezmade Super Show has grown exponentially, and this year was no different. The show took place at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, California, and was nothing short of what we expected; and it’s with good reason. Located in the heart
of Central California, the venue is literally between Los Angeles and San Francisco, making it the perfect central destination for all to attend. In anticipation of a soldout crowd and tons of entries, Rezmade realized last year that the huge amount of entries would 23
force them to open up another section, so they did. As expected, the usual suspects were in attendance, and clubs like Carnales Unidos, GoodTimes, Imperials, Sangre Latina, Nokturnal, and Showtime all came in deep. In addition to those who traveled above and beyond, plenty of local
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clubs were in attendance, like Lindsey’s Finest, New Crowd, Aztec Image, and Royalistics. Aside from the show, there was the mandatory hop competition, a sultry bikini contest, and a concert that featured performances by plenty, including Lil Eazy-E who banged that West Coast G-vibe that his father created decades back. If you haven’t made it out to this show make sure to check out rezmadecarclub.com for information because it’s not only a great show, it’s a relaxing drive that gives you the chance to soak up some serious scenery.
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A CHRISTMAS COLLABORATION IS IN THE WORKS STORY & PHOTOS BY JOE RAY
26
NOVEMBER 2017 LOWRIDER
Mike Brush and Tracy Larsen brainstorming for the perfectly designed Lowrider car ornaments.
Hallmark is a household name we’ve all grown up with. It’s the brand that revolutionized greeting cards and keepsakes and a name that we trust. Hallmark is the brand that has literally taken the words out of our mouths, and their incredibly written cards and the deep sentimental value of their keepsake ornaments have all made us look good at one point or another. So to be writing about this upcoming collaboration between Lowrider magazine and Hallmark is one that is as joyous as it is humbling and an honor.
As part of our collaboration, I was invited to spend a day at the Hallmark lab, which is simply unreal. To be working with them to create and produce an upcoming Keepsake Holiday Collection is something that dreams are made of. For this specific project we are working on producing three classic Christmas Lowrider ornaments, which will be released sometime soon. To get things kicked off, we took a flight to Kansas City, Missouri. Once we arrived, we shot straight over to Hallmark to sit down with 27
their Keepsake artists, and what they showed us was mind-boggling. The artisans broke out a full array of wax molds and conceptual pieces that were incredible. Among the series of pieces being showcased were a barrage of lowrider model designs that will soon land themselves on store shelves near you; this special edition is sure to be a collectible that you do not want to miss out on. Stepping foot into the Hallmark facilities was more of an experience than it was a moment. The massive space encompassed a world of
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ONTHESCENE E S T A B L I S H E D
A gothic-type Batman was being carved out of wood.
1 9 7 7
TOP5REASONS ACCORDING TO HALLMARK RESEARCH, THE TOP FIVE REASONS FOR CUSTOMERS BUYING AND DISPLAYING CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS ARE AS FOLLOW: 1. Commemorate a milestone 2. Recall a special or specific memory 3. Represent a child or grandchild on the tree 4. To one day pass along the ornaments as heirlooms 5. Express the individual's personality
Thousands of prototype creations and memories are on display throughout the Hallmark office cubicles.
art that was mesmerizing and the positive energy and sheer force of the building was enough to make you realize just how legit they are. Once you arrive, it only takes a few seconds to feel like you’ve landed in Christmas heaven. There are thousands of Keepsake decorative creations. Some were complete, others were prototypes, but in all, each of the artists’ offices felt more like a sanctuary of art than a workstation. Aside from going over plans and getting a complete tour of the facility we spent many hours getting to know the staff. During our visit,
we had the chance to meet each of the artists and the hospitality was unreal. Looking back, we were able to receive some feedback about their history, and Hallmark execs told us that the history of decorative ornaments and Christmas trees first appeared in America in the 1700s. In fact, decorated trees were brought to America by Hessians–German mercenary soldiers fighting in the Revolutionary War–but didn't become widely popular until people saw the ornaments brought to America by families emigrating from Germany and England in the 1840s. 28
Mr. Hallmark himself.
In 1973, Hallmark introduced a small line of six glass ball ornaments and 12 yarn figures as the first collection of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. The longestrunning current ornament series is Frosty Friends, which is celebrating its 35th year of production. Since the line's inception, Hallmark has introduced more than 8,500 Keepsake Ornaments and more than 100 ornament series. More than 500 local chapters of the national Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club are active in the United States and Canada and their following is
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one that has grown exponentially year after year. More than just a holiday decoration, Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments are a huge part of family traditions. Families place their ornaments on their trees, and behind the dĂŠcor is a spiritual bond that captures plenty of great memories spent with loved ones. From its long-running series to newly licensed properties, there is a Hallmark Keepsake Ornament available to deck anyone's tree. Inside their collection you will find uncommon artistry that uses highend materials and embellishments,
including glass, porcelain, and fabric to embody these keepsake ornaments, and in light of that, we spent the entire day not only going over paint schemes and designs for the Lowrider series of ornaments but mostly getting to know the Hallmark family of artists and listen to their stories and converse about figurines they have created by hand or by 3-D computer over the years. In closing, we would like to thank Hallmark Cards and Keepsakes’ Mike Brush, Tracy Larsen, and Deanna Munoz for all their effort and support, as well as everyone at
Each Keepsake artist has their own sanctuary where they either create by hand using wax or go off their computer in 3-D.
30
Hallmark's Kiddie Car Classic '64 Lincolns were custom painted by Kansas City's best painters!
Hallmark for the warm welcome and for believing in the Lowrider Culture. To be able to collaborate and have a hand in the concept on an ornament series that will be of heirloom quality, and to see the Lowrider logo (plaque) on these upcoming releases, is truly another milestone for the lowrider lifestyle. So as we make more progress, we’ll be sure to keep you up to date so you can look out for the release of these Keepsake Ornaments, which will be available at Hallmark Gold Crown stores nationwide and online at hallmark.com.
a i n r o f i l a C ’ n i m a e r D
Some things in life are just meant to be. Like when Matias “JR” Zamora spotted his dream car while shopping for parts at a swap meet. To give his ‘59 Impala its dazzling, SoCal look, Zamora turned to the VIBRANCE COLLECTION® line of custom hues and effects by PPG.
©2017 PPG Industries, Inc. All rights reserved. www.vibrancecollection.com The PPG Logo and Vibrance Collection are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
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CAR MODEL
1964 IMPALA SS BY CHEVROLET 32
NOVEMBER 2017 LOWRIDER
WHEN OPPORTUNITY STRIKES, YOU BETTER BE READY
STORY & PHOTOS BY BETO MENDOZA
When opportunity presents itself, you have to pull the trigger. No really. You have to pull the trigger. Those special opportunities don’t come often and when they do it’s for a split second and at that point you either want it or you don’t. In short, good fortune can detect even the slightest amount of hesitation, and if you don’t act on it, those blessing will be given to someone else who will. Just ask Bert Nolan. Looking to build his dream car, Bert searched high and low for the perfect '64 Impala. As he scoured sites in an almost ritualistic fashion, his leap of faith would find him the perfect project car. A pretty straight '64 with just a bit of rust was sitting there ready for the taking, and while his gut told him this was the car to get, logic convinced him to sit on it for a few days. As days passed, he finally decided to pull the trigger and that’s when he found out that the vehicle had been taken to auction. In total disbelief, Bert knew he blew the perfect opportunity and went back to his daily routine of scouring the web. Two weeks after striking out on that deal, he clicked away in search of another opportunity, and that’s when it struck. There, right before his eyes, sat the same car he had just missed out on earlier. It had been re-listed and with absolutely no hesitation he gave the owner a call and asked if he could hold it for two days so he could scramble to put the money together. Two days later Bert showed up, did a once-over on the car, and handed the gentleman his money. No testdrive, no bargaining, just a straight across the board transaction and minutes later he was headed back home. Before even getting back home,
33
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1964 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS VEHICLE NICKNAME Out For Action OWNER Bert Ortiz-Nolan CITY/STATE Seattle, WA CLUB Riel Time Resto INTERIOR Ciadella original interior kit in Jewel Blue and chrome was added SUSPENSION The setup consisted of two Pro Hopper pumps with three Adex dumps, aircraft valves, and four batteries WHEELS/TIRES 100-spoke 13x7 wire wheels and Firestone 155/80-R13s BODY/PAINT Custom PPG blue SOUND SYSTEM Alpine deck, two Rockford Fosgate amps, Memphis mids, and a 10-inch Alpine subwoofer ENGINE Good Wrench 350 crate motor with 650-cfm Edlebrock carb, polished three-core radiator, electric fan, two-speed powerglide transmission, Accel HEI distributor, Ram Horn exhaust manifold, and 3-inch dual Flowmaster pipe
Bert already knew what his plans were for the car. He wanted a sympathetic restoration that brought the car back to its original factory condition. After much patience and hard work it was finally done—at least for the first phase. Upon completion, he took the majestic beauty out on its first maiden voyage to a local car show. With the windows down, and the paint glistening, he was only half a block from his house when the car was hit. In disbelief, he got out and realized that it was still repairable,
except this time around he had a change of heart and decided to rebuild the car as a full-blown lowrider. With the help of his RTR family, the reconstruction of his Impala began. For starters, all repairs were done, all body panels either replaced or straightened, and then it was up to Pitra Poeng to lay down the custom blue paint. From there Chavo laid some ’striping, Keo Sanh dropped in a 350 crate motor, while Amos cleaned up the interior with a Ciadella interior. Of 34
PPG custom mix of blue SS with a 350 crate motor is action packed!
course no lowrider would be complete without Dayton wire wheels and custom sounds, but that was all taken care of by the Chan Bros. But the final build was a bittersweet journey. Tragically, his brother died during the build process. Knowing deep down inside that no first cruise would be complete without him, Bert decided to take the urn with his ashes and take him along for the first ride in his newly revamped ride.
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You’d be hard pressed to come up with someone with more credentials than Perry Bunker from Anderson, South Carolina. Back in 1994, Perry was introduced to the lowrider culture when he went out on a limb and purchased a '64 Impala. Up until that point, Perry had been involved with trucks, but something about the Chevy Impala stood out to him. From there, he took it upon himself to learn more
about these classic cars. It was an experience that involved much research, as well as hands-on experience. Fast-forward to 2000, and Perry and his close friend, Pito, went to check out a '62 Chevy Impala convertible that was inside a barn. Almost instantly, Perry fell in love with the body style and drove it home. From there the duo brought it over to fellow enthusiast and builder 36
NOVEMBER 2017 LOWRIDER
CAR MODEL
1962 IMPALA BY CHEVROLET
THIS BUILD WAS A LONG TIME COMING, BUT THE END RESULT WAS WORTH THE WAIT
STORY & PHOTOS BY PHIL GORDON
The factory Corona Cream color combo is "Justified" for this popular classic rag.
Johnny Salters, and later that year, Pito just lost interest in the build and Perry offered to take it off his hands. “I knew this car and wanted to be able to put my touch on it,” Perry tells LRM. But even after picking it up, a series of events—including the birth of his daughter, Kylie—had put the Impala on the back burner, and throughout the next decade Perry worked hard on customer cars, earning some extra funds to support 37
not only his daughter, but also the neglected '62. In 2013, Perry finally decided it was time to put his talents to work. He began the process by starting with a new frame and bodywork, and his brother, Ron, used his expertise in engine work to rebuild the 327. Perry also decided to douse the finished body in PPG Corona Cream. From there, Brian Beard came in to wire everything together inside the
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1962 CHEVY IMPALA VEHICLE NICKNAME Smooth Operator OWNER Perry Bunker CITY/STATE Anderson, SC CLUB Justified Ryders ENGINE 327 bored 30 over and Mutha Thumpr cam done by Ron Bunker INTERIOR Cars Inc. factory gold reupholstered and installed by owner and Camille WHEELS/TIRES 13-inch OG Zenith 56-spoke wire wheels, 5.20 Premium Sportways BODY/PAINT PPG Corona Cream by owner SOUND SYSTEM Sony head unit hidden in glovebox, two 8-inch JBL pre-amped box installed by owner SUSPENSION Replaced springs, Auto City Classic disc brakes, Toyota rearend, slip yoke driveshaft, 500 steering box from Classic Industries
Always operating smoothly in all his lowrider builds, Perry Bunker is a classic himself when it comes to resurrecting Chevrolets!
38
cabin and Dakota Digital gauges were added for an updated look. Perry has always held his lowrider values very high, maintaining a level of respect and perfection in every build. He believes that keeping the integrity of the Chevy Impala was the right thing to do by not drastically altering it. In closing, he’d like to thank his family, including Kylie, Ron, and his Justified Ryders family for all their help and support. A special thanks to Josh Porter, Johnny Salters, and Ryan Duke for the helping hands. “Smooth Operator” may have taken a decade-long break but it was worth every second to Perry.
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LOWRIDING AT HIGH ALTITUDE IN 2017 STORY BY JOE RAY PHOTOS BY PHIL GORDON & JOE RAY
40
NOVEMBER 2017 LOWRIDER
Show sponsors Street Cred Lowrider Bicycles and Xtreme Auto Soundz.
41
Denver is a crazy sports town. With three stadiums located in downtown, it’s a sports fan’s dream; you can watch the Broncos land touchdowns, watch the Colorado Rockies bat one out of the park, and when things get a little colder, you can always puck around and take front seat to the their hockey team, the Colorado Avalanche. Of course, if you come looking for outdoor recreation, you won’t be disappointed. The nearby Rocky Mountains is famous for hiking excursions, rafting, world-class ski slopes, and wildlife. Now, if you’re more into art and architecture, the
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Kicking back Cutlass.
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Highlands neighborhood is packed with Victorian-era homes, hip restaurants, art galleries, and a famous ice cream shop in a giant milk can. Step on over to the Art District on Santa Fe and it’s a haven for art lovers. With more than 60 art galleries and colorful murals, Denver has some really inspiring works of art, including the highly popular Emmanuel Martinez mural entitled “Confluent People” on Little Raven Court under Speer Boulevard. The city with elevated spirits also sports more than 100 breweries and taprooms created by a community of passionate artisans crafting some
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of the most adventurous beers in the country, and with the Coors Brewery Company setting up shop there since 1873, yes, Colorado is definitely hoppy heaven! So now that I’ve given you a breakdown of all the great things to do in this intense city, the one activity that has become an annual highlight is the Lowrider Denver Super Show, which takes place at
the National Western Complex. The enormous hall has always been filled to the brim when it comes to lowriders, and that has never been a problem for the Denver lowrider faithful. This show has never failed to bring out a huge crowd to support the consistent 500-plus entries that load up the place. As the years have gone by, Denver has begun to raise the bar when it comes to the
44
A GoodTimes classic.
quality of their builds. There are way more 20x20 display spots than ever before and because of this everyone has taken notice that the Denver lowriding community is the high altitude of LOWriding. The interest in the Denver lowriding scene has even sparked a surge of clubs traveling from out of state; even some crazy weatherdropping snow just days before the
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One of a hundred custom bikes.
Up on all fours Lincoln. 46
show did little to stop them from taking the maiden voyage. Many of those long-distance car clubs hauled their rides in trucks and trailers and were stranded in the snow, some even had to be towed back into town, but despite the dangers they still braved the conditions. During the show I spoke with George and his crew from the Originals Car Club and with a crazy smile he said it was a journey worth taking in order to support and experience Denver’s love for the lowrider culture.
CAR NAME: THE LEGACY OWNER: ALBERT DEALBA JR PAINTER: ALBERT DEALBA JR AT CAL BLAST LOCATION: POMONA CA PRIMER: KD3000 GRAY BASE: S2-BC02 ORION SILVERMAX /S2-PBC57 LITE TEAL PEARL KANDY: KK09 ORGANIC GREEN / KK04 ORIENTAL BLUE / KK15 TEAL / KK05 COBALT BLUE / KK09 ORGANIC GREEN CLEAR: USC01 SHOW KLEAR
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Show sponsor Hoppo's Custom Suspension Works.
Drop Bomb truck.
Arriving days before the show was to take place was the Lowrider Rig and the move-in staff that includes Jose Martinez, Carlos Lima, Jason Campbell, and Anthony Garcia. Once the best of the best rides were all guided to their permanent display locations, the judging crew of George Torrez, Alex Ochoa, Robert Delaney,
Alfredo Figueroa, and Rob “Bird” Ryce arrived to start totaling each exhibit’s points to find out who the winners would be. In short, they all had their jobs cut out for them. During the daylong festivities, the concert popped off with some of the crowd’s favorite artists, while the hop contest had the headlights of some 48
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crazy builds pointed toward the sky. Of course, none of this would have ever been possible without the support of Lowrider show sponsors Hoppo’s Suspension Works, Krazy Kutting Parts & Inventory, Xtreme Auto Soundz, and Street Cred Lowrider Bicycles. In closing, a special thanks goes out to all who were in attendance and support and also the one and only Kid J who was the master of all ceremonies at this fantastic show weekend. Mark your calendars for next year’s event because Denver is in it to win it, and the ambiance is one that is best experienced in person. Show sponsor Krazy Kutting.
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Museumtype display of Orlies Hydraulics' Custom Panel.
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NOVEMBER 2017 LOWRIDER
TRUCKOFTHEMONTH B R O U G H T
T O
Y O U
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B R O T H E R S
TRUCK MODEL
1959 APACHE BY CHEVROLET
AFTER AN EVEN TRADE, A BADASS FLEETSIDE WAS BORN STORY & PHOTOS BY RICHIE “CALLEJERO” CHAVEZ
Building a lowrider is a tedious task. It will test your patience, your dedication, your ability to stay focused, and it will put your family, friends, and finances to the test. But before all of this happens, building a lowrider typically starts with confusion. Long before you start worrying about who, what, and how much things will cost, the first order of importance is finding out what exactly
you want to build. We’ve all heard stories about guys losing interest in a project and then starting all over again, and this is exactly the case with Luis Ramirez. After seeing his friend’s white and red Apache, Luis had serious doubts about continuing the build of his '54 Bel Air. The doubt was so strong that he stopped working on it and started scouring the Internet for what 53
Badging on the fenders and a larger, more ornate hood emblem were the only changes for 1959.
would now become his dream truck. After searching high and low for the perfect truck, he came across a '59 Apache that caught his attention. With nothing but hope and a little bit of luck, Luis reached out to the seller to see if he would be interested in doing an even trade for the Bel Air. Since they were both in equal condition, the owner went for the deal and Luis landed himself a truck that would
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1959 CHEVROLET APACHE VEHICLE NICKNAME Blvd. Chief OWNER Luis Ramirez CITY/STATE Yuba City, CA CLUB Oldies
soon be turned into the incredible time machine you see here. Once the Fleetside made its way home, Luis and his father began to take the truck down to bare metal. They addressed rust issues, replaced the necessary panels, and in the end the only things left were the bedsides, front fenders, and hood. While replacing the rest of the body parts, they opted for a big back window on the cab, and once it was retrofitted they slapped the frame on a rotisserie where it was prepped and painted black. During the revamp, they played with an independent front suspension setup, bolted up a four-link rear, and then mated it up to the 700R transmission, which was bolted to a 350 crate engine with Ramjet fuel injection. The addition of CPP brakes helps
stop this beast, all the while sitting in a majestically revamped interior that was done by Ciadella Interior using N.O.S. fabric and a '59 Impala theme. Once complete, a gravity feed setup was installed by Hoppo’s Hydraulics while HCAT built a custom '56 Bel Air in-dash color bar. Additional amenities include stainless steel pieces on the cab and bed, a new visor, skirts, as well as foglights and spotlights. For those in the know, they may recognize the addition of a '55-'56 accessory hood bird, the '58 El Camino bed rails, and rear splash aprons. In all, the build took three years and two months to complete, but thanks to his parents, brothers, and family, the truck is not only the latest addition to their family, but a keeper of memories that they all get to enjoy. 54
The Blvd. Chief takes over any highway.
WHEELS/TIRES 14x7 Tru Classics with Hancook tires BODY/PAINT PPG blue green paint INTERIOR Custom '59 interior kit from Ciadella Interiors, CPP steering columns, Classic Instruments gauges, and CON2R custom steering wheel ENGINE '98 Chevrolet Vortec 350 with PML valve covers, Billet Specialties air cleaner, March Performance water pump/alternator/serpentine system, aluminum radiator, Hitachi mini starter, RamJet fuel injection, MagnaFlow exhaust, and Patriot headers
A fully dressed Vortec 350 and Hoppo's Hydraulic System power up this five-nine Apache.
SUSPENSION '89 Blazer rearend, CPP master cylinder/booster and tubular A-arms, two Hoppo’s gravity-fed pumps with four dumps, and four yellowtop Optima batteries SOUND Alpine deck, Memphis amps, two Infinity 4-inch mids, and two more 6x9-inch
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HOW A $100 CAR TURNED INTO AN EPIC BUILD THAT SHOWCASED THE TALENTS OF THE SMALL TOWN OF LIVINGSTON STORY & PHOTOS BY BETO MENDOZA
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The city life is great, but growing up in a small town provides an intimate landscape that just can’t be beat. With a tight-knit community packed with peaceful vibes, the small-town life comes with many fringe benefits. Just ask Gilo Jimenez. He grew up in Livingston, a small town in Central California where the majority of the residents work at either Foster Farms or Gallo Winery. But ask those same folks about lowriding and you might be surprised to find out that their love for lowriding is pure and unadulterated. You see, lowriding is a big thing in Livingston and Gilo’s group of friends are what actually influenced him to get active in the scene. When he first began his journey, Gilo was unlike most who start off in lowriding. Whereas most have
a specific year/make/model they want to build, Gilo was open for anything, so he began his search many moons ago when Craigslist and the Internet had barely emerged. At the time, searching for a car was a tedious task that left thumbs black and fingers sore. It required him flipping through the classified ads in the local newspaper and using what was considered to be the bible of used cars, the Auto Trader. Now for those of you old enough to remember, flipping through the Auto Trader was fun. It required a weekly visit to the local magazine stand and there you would sit flipping through the pages and thumbing through a series of 1-inch-squared photos with a description that was limited to just about 30 words. When asked about those trivial memories, Gilo replied 58
The distinguished and Continentalesque trunklid and vertical louvered long grille depict Lincoln luxury.
with a smirk, “I remember my dad and I traveling far to see cars from ads only to be disappointed when we got there.” In fact, the task was so tedious that the Auto Trader never did land him his dream ride. Instead, Gilo actually stumbled upon his dream ride by accident when visiting one of his friends during college. When he pulled up to his friend’s house he spotted an '81 Lincoln sitting across the street. Although it didn’t have a For Sale sign, that didn’t stop Gilo from walking over and giving the car a once-over. The body was flawless and the interior only had a few rips in it, so without hesitation he decided to knock on the door and ask if they would sell it. A few knocks, and a few seconds later, Gilo recalls the aftermath and said, “A lady by the name of Miss Woods answered
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1981 LINCOLN MARK VI CONTINENTAL VEHICLE NICKNAME Hall of Fame OWNER Hermenegildo “Gilo” Aguilar Jimenez CITY/STATE Livingston, CA CLUB Sangre Latina WHEELS/TIRES 13x7 88-spoke Dayton wire wheels with two wing shark fin knockoff and Cornell 808 P155/80R13 radial tires
BODY/PAINT Uvaldo Arroyo shaved the door handle, door keyholes, car emblems, and antenna before laying fade, marble, and scalloped patterns in silver, white, red, blue, and purple under the magenta House of Kolor candy over a silver base. The late Angelo Maisano laid a variety of blues, purples, and pinks, along with silver leafing. INTERIOR Vargas Upholstery stitched together Mellowhide fabric in Iced Mauve
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SOUND SYSTEM Steve Trevizo dropped in the audio with an Alpine deck, Zapco amps, Memphis Component mids, and three 6.5-inch Digital Design subwoofers in a custom box ENGINE Stock Ford V-8 5.0L SUSPENSION Two gravity-fed Hoppo’s pumps with two stubby zigzag slowdowns, four d-square show dumps, stainless hardlines, and four AC Delco batteries
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the door and told me she would sell it. She told me the car was having engine trouble and when I asked her how much, she told me I could have it for $100.” He jumped on the deal. After taking the car back home and diagnosing it, the poorly performing engine was a result of a bad sensor. After replacing it, the car ran great. So he did what any college kid would do and threw in a
stereo and slapped on a set of Dayton wire wheels. Immediately thereafter he drove the car like no tomorrow and enjoyed it up until he decided to repaint it. He then took the baby Lincoln to a local car painter by the name of Uvaldo Arroyo. Already a huge hometown sensation, and the go-to guy for lowriders in Livingston, Arroyo wasn’t really taking in candy paintjobs due to some health issues. As a result, he wound up working 60
Oval opera windows, vacuumoperated concealed headlamps, and nonfunctional fender vents identified the model line of the Mark series.
a 9 to 5 and only painted cars on Saturdays, but Gilo understood the conditions in a literal sense as the two both suffered ups and downs in their life that halted both of their abilities to constantly work on cars. In all, it ended up taking nine years to finish the paintjob. “We never stopped working on the car, regardless of what we went through.” At the end of it all, Gilo ended up paying an envious $2,000 for the
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bodywork, shaved door handles, candy paintjob, graphics, and clear, and the result was this stunning car that now graces the pages of Lowrider. Even more interesting to mention was that the car was actually painted in the backyard in a car garage—a feat that wound up being the last paintjob Arroyo ever laid and the first one to make it out of the streets of Livingston and onto the pages of Lowrider. As if
that weren’t precious enough, the paintjob also received one of the last pinstriping jobs by the late great Angelo Maisano, who died shortly after finishing this job. After 11 years of hard work, the baby Lincoln finally hit the streets for the first time, and that monumental day would up being the day of his wedding. “I was so excited to finally have my car out on the streets.” After a deep emotional pause, he continued 61
The Lincoln Mark VI could exceed $24,000 at dealerships in the '80s, which would convert to about $79,000 today.
by saying, “To get married the very same day made it such a memorable moment, and one that I will never forget and always cherish.” While it took over a decade to finish the car, the final product is one that is simply remarkable. Thanks to the support of his parents and wife, Carmen, he was able to make his dream possible while showcasing the true talent of the artisans found in Livingston, California.
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Not a flashy guy, Willie Vaughn came from humble beginnings. He was raised in a low-income area but the casual sightings of lowriders caught his eye. For him, lowriders represented a sense of pride and with each sighting he couldn’t help but get intrigued by the automotive culture. With each car he found a sense of individuality and a form of
expression that he could identify with and he vowed that one day he would own one. At 17 years of age, Willie purchased his entry ticket into the world of lowriding. That ticket came by way of a ’70s Malibu. While not the prettiest of vehicles, he made due with what he had and over the next decade Willie went through 62
The SS '63 Impala was noted as a sports coupe by Chevrolet.
NOVEMBER 2017 LOWRIDER
CAR MODEL
1963 IMPALA SS BY CHEVROLET
AFTER A THREE-YEAR HIATUS, IT WAS TIME TO STEP OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND GO DIRECTLY INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
STORY & PHOTOS BY PHIL GORDON
The chrome border around the taillight panel came on SS packages.
a number of custom lowriders, including a '63 Impala. With each build they only got better and better, but that all came to a halt when he sold his last build, a Chevy Caprice. The hiatus from building vehicles came when his focus and attention went strictly to his family, but after three years had gone by the itch returned with a vengeance so he put 63
the word out that he was looking for an Impala and within a week he acquired one that had been located on a farm. The price was right and Willie grabbed the new '63 Chevy Impala SS to start all over. The condition wasn’t that bad to begin with but stock didn’t fit into Willie’s plans. He drove the Chevy up until winter and while most
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1963 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS VEHICLE NICKNAME In the Shadows OWNER Willie Vaughn CITY/STATE Racine, WI SOUND SYSTEM Custom Autosound radio, JL Audio front speakers in custom fiberglass kick panels, JL Audio 6x9s in rear deck
tuck their cars away, Willie did the opposite and began reconstructing his ride. The first step was a color change. Along with his friend, they doused the car with a special gray that he had seen on a Corvette while attending a car show. Once the body and paint was completed, Willie did something he had never done before— he fit the car with an air-ride system. The original owner had the motor rebuilt but since it was sitting for
WHEELS/TIRES 13x7 72-spoke Superior Wire Wheels, Premium Sportway 5.20s INTERIOR Ciadella’s Original Black Interior kit done by Roy Escamilla, Dakota Digital gauges, trunk interior panels covered in vinyl and carpet done by Victor Arellano SUSPENSION CCE air-ride kit, Slam Specialties airbags, two ViAir 480 air compressors, two 5-gallon tanks, ½-inch air valves, and lines done by Damage Hydraulics in Chicago
years, Bobby from MBS Automotive of Racine, Wisconsin, handled the dress-up and dialed it all in to make sure it would handle the streets properly and with power. The interior was brought back to life by Roy Escamilla using a Ciadella’s kit and restored to new with new panels for the air tanks in the trunk. The completion of Willie’s Chevy couldn’t have come at a better time. It was right in time for the 64
BODY/PAINT PPG Cyber Gray Metallic paint, original trim polished and chromed done by Jeremy Kilmowicz
ENGINE Chevy 350 with TH350 transmission, Edelbrock Endurashine intake and carburetor, Billet Specialties valve covers and air cleaner done by MBS Automotive
Buckets and console are a must for all "treys."
summer show season. He wishes to thank everyone who helped him throughout the build process—most importantly to his loving wife, Melinda, and their two children, Hailey and Damian. After leaving the scene for three years, he just couldn’t find the feeling to get back in the lowrider game and in doing so he came back with a '63 that has stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
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LEXUS-SLAMMED SEDAN STORY & PHOTOS BY BETO MENDOZA
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CAR MODEL
2007 GS 350 BY LEXUS Multicolors of purple tones and air brushing are a"nok"out for this lux Lexus.
After spending well over a decade with Nokturnal Car Club, Mike has not only rep’d the club, but rep’d it well. Entry into the club all began with a tricked-out Candy Apple Red Escalade with enough bells and whistles that we actually featured it years back. From there, he felt a need for change so he sold the hulky SUV to get a new platform to work on. This time around he went with a Lexus sedan, and he’s since given the
once family sedan a makeover worthy of yet another feature. In 2007, Mike paid a visit to a local dealership and rolled out with an '07 Lexus GS 350. With absolutely no time wasted, he began by dropping it off in Arizona at Chofy’s Airbrushing. Once there, the Lexus was taken down and prepped and that’s when Rene Alonso laid down an intricate paintjob that sported a multitude of colors, starting 67
with a Candy Passion Purple paint. From there he followed it up with pink, blue, and light purple patterns flowing from front to back. Once done, he did a once-over on the car and felt the need to tie it all in, so he added airbrushing on both sides and had Riding Dirty Upholstery recreate the interior in peanut butter perforated leather. Entry into the cockpit is bright and striking but the first thing you’ll notice
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2007 LEXUS GS 350
This GS 350 is laid out on the ground and paint!
VEHICLE NICKNAME Luxury Player OWNER Mike Munoz CITY/STATE Monrovia, CA CLUB Nokturnal ENGINE Stock V-6 3.5L with covers painted to match car WHEELS/TIRES Dropstar 22-inch wheels with Lionhart 205/30-22 tires
are all the custom-made interior parts. The door panels, rear tray, and center console were molded out of fiberglass and painted to match the car’s overall motif. A month prior to the shoot, Mike was able to complete the car by adding a full sound system, complete with a fiberglass trunk that houses all audio equipment and the custom airbag setup.
As complete as the car may look, Mike still has plans to do more. But sitting at the fork in the road are two options: one, chrome the entire undercarriage of his Lexus; or two, sell it and build himself an old school. Either way, he is sure to create a car of no comparison. We’ll keep you posted on his final decision because we’re sure that a third feature will come sometime soon. 68
BODY/PAINT House of Kolor candy passion purple with pink, blue, and light purple patterns SUSPENSION Airbags with two ViAir compressors INTERIOR Peanut butter perforated leather seats with fiberglass door panels, center console, and rear deck Custom fiberglass door panels, console, and package tray complete this one-off interior design.
SOUND SYSTEM Stock navigation system with two Hifonics amps, four JVC 6.5-inch mids, and two 12-inch Kicker Solo Baric subwoofers
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TANKSANDTAILS BROUG H T TO YOU BY R E VOLUC ION
HOW ONE HARLEY LOVER WENT FROM SITTING ON THE SIDELINES TO SITTING BEHIND BARS
STORY & PHOTOS BY HECTOR LEYVA
MOTORCYCLE
2004 ROAD KING BY HARLEY-DAVIDSON
Growing up in Tijuana, Oscar Segura spent many of his afternoons motorcycle spotting. As bikers crossed the border into the Baja California hot spot, he’d be left mesmerized by these unique metal creations. From the chrome to the custom paint, the rumble of the pipes to the glistening of the spokes, he’d watch as they made 70
NOVEMBER 2017 LOWRIDER
2004 HARLEYDAVIDSON ROAD KING VEHICLE NICKNAME La Presumida OWNER Oscar Segura CLUB Klique, Las Vegas CITY/STATE Anaheim, CA ENGINE Original '04 Harley-Davidson fuelinjected four-stroker SUSPENSION Custom airbag suspension BODY/PAINT Copper and green pearl with gold leaf accents WHEELS/TIRES 21-inch chrome wire wheel up front, mounted on whitewall radials INTERIOR Custom black leather with double stitching
What isn't painted was dipped in chrome.
Fuel-injected on air ride with a "21" is the king of all roads! 71
their way down the infamous Avenida Revolucion. The sights and sounds were enough to keep him entertained as a child, but as he approached his teens he was no longer content sitting on the sidelines. He wanted to be an active part of the scene, and that’s when his daydreams began and left him no choice but to own his very own Harley-Davidson. No stranger to the world of customization, Oscar decided it was time to get off the bench and be a player, so after purchasing an '04 HarleyDavidson Road King from a fellow car club member, he had the bike stripped down and sent to LA Baggers to receive a full makeover. Once there, Mando and crew would lay down a custom paintjob featuring a blend of Caramel, Copper Brown, and White Pearl paints that were then covered in a Green Pearl. From there, Danny D stepped in to lay down some of his signature gold leafing and pinstripe designs. As the bike’s metalwork was being re-polished and chrome plated by AP Show Chrome, a custom-fabricated seat was then wrapped in black leather, complete with double stitching. LA Baggers
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Fully customized Road King is crowned in copper, creme, and gold leaf.
then took on the task of installing a custom airbag suspension, which helped eliminate the fender/wheel gap on the custom-ordered 21-inch front wire wheels. The final stage of his build was to complete the HD with custom tailpipes, handle bars, and a slew of other bolt-ons. With the bike finally done, he had the motor tuned and tested and that’s when he called upon his lady Yessi to make a memorable trip with him across the border into Tijuana. Much like he remembered as a child, they rumbled down the avenue just like the guys he had seen as a kid, except this time around he went as an active player who was sure to have motivated yet another young and inspired child watching from the sidelines, much like he used to do. 72
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PUT YOUR MIND AT EASE WHILE ON THE ROAD WHEN YOU UPGRADE YOUR VEHICLE WITH SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE FEATURES INCLUDING BACK UP CAMERA, NAVIGATION, REAR PARKING ASSIST1, AND VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION1.
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PIONEERELECTRONICS.COM/CAR 1. Retained features may vary by vehicle. Check compatibility at mestro.idatalink.com. Maestro RR module and additional accessory cables required. 2. SiriusXM Connect Vehicle Tuner and subscription to SiriusXM Radio required (sold separately). Caution: Read all safety instructions in the product documentation before use. Distracted driving can result in serious injury, or death. Only use a function when it is safe and legal in your location, pay attention to the road and your surroundings, and obey all traffic rules. PIONEER and the Pioneer logo are registered trademarks of Pioneer Corporation. Apple, CarPlay, and the CarPlay logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Bluetooth and associated logos are trademarks of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. HD Radio and the HD Radio logo are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corp. SiriusXM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of SiriusXM Radio Inc. Android and Android Auto are trademarks of Google Inc. iDatalink and Maestro are trademarks of Automotive Data Solutions Inc. Pandora, the Pandora logo and the Pandora trade dress are trademarks of Pandora Media, Inc. used with permission. Spotify, the Spotify logo, and Spotify trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of Spotify AB used with permission. ©2017 Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
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FROM FRONT TO BACK, TCI ENGINEERING HAS YOUR SUSPENSION HANDLED STORY & PHOTOS BY JOE RAY
SOURCES TCI Engineering (800) 984-6259 www.totalcostinvolved.com
Energy Suspension (888) 913-6374 www.energysuspension.com
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Currie Enterprises (714) 528-6957 www.currieenterprises.com
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Since 1974 Total Cost Involved Engineering (TCI Engineering) has manufactured quality hot rod, street rod, and classic truck chassis and muscle car products. They also specialize in upgrading suspensions so that projects get rolling in the right direction smoothly, dependably, and at the desired ride height. TCI Engineering also offers a wide range of their factory-built front and back kits, which include custom IFS coilover suspensions, four-link rear suspensions, rear leaf suspensions, sway bars, and torque arm rear kits for Chevy pickups from 1947-1954, 1955-1959, and the very popular '63-'87 C10. When building a classic truck, the first order of importance seems to always be cosmetic; and we get it. We all want that truck with a mirror-shine finish and we’ll go the distance to straighten the body and iron out all the kinks just to hit the streets with a sense of pride and accomplishment—but this 75
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is where it gets interesting. After a few months of cruising, we finally began to realize that we failed to put the same amount of effort into the suspension, and after suffering hours in the cockpit we realize that our truck looks like a million bucks but rides more like a shopping cart rolling down a dirt road. Thanks to the dated suspension on older C10 trucks, many of the trucks you’ll pick up will offer a floating-type ride at stock height, but once you start trying to lay it down (still utilizing your stock suspension) the ride becomes unbearable, to say the least. This is where the folks at TCI Engineering become not only our best friends but also the answer to your lowered suspension needs. To address the problem, TCI Engineering has created both front and rear suspension kits that will replace your dated assembly. In short, TCI Engineering has you covered from front to back. In this issue of Lowrider we’ll be taking a look at their latest offerings for the very popular '63-'72 Chevy C10 pickup trucks. '63-'72 C10 Torque Arm Rear Suspension TCI Engineering’s '63-'72 C10 Torque Arm assembly is engineered for street, autocross, and road course applications. The Torque Arm rear suspension was designed to eliminate the suspension bind that occurs when
cornering, using the stock truck arm suspension. The Torque Arm features a Currie Enterprises Johnny Joint and special dog bone mount at the front of the arm that rotates and telescopes as the truck goes through suspension travel and articulation. This allows the truck’s handling to be controlled by the coilover shocks and the rear sway bar with no suspension binding variables. The kit allows for a lowered stance, greater rear axle control, and dramatically improved handling. There are three height adjustments on the axle brackets in 1-inch increments, and you also have the ability to fine-tune the ride height further with the adjustable coilovers. The installation mostly requires drilling and bolting in components by reusing as many factory boltholes as possible to make installation easier. In all, the '63-'72 C10 Torque Arm kit is a 100 percent bolton application. The kit will work with your factory rear axle. Complete 9-inch axle housings are available fully welded and ready to be bolted on. Included Products • RideTech Single Adjustable Coilover Shocks (Note: Air-ride suspension kit/bracket assembly also available.) • Energy Suspension polyurethane greasable bushings • Bolt-on torque arm differential plate for multiple rearend applications • 1½ inches by 0.156 wide U.S. DOM 76
trailing arms with adjustable and greasable 2-inch Johnny Joints (Currie) • Heavy-duty rear coilover crossmember and brackets • 1¼ inches by 0.120 wide U.S. DOM Panhard bar • Bolt-on axle brackets • Bolt-on shock brackets • Bolt-on axle-mounted sway bar (optional) • Bolt-on C-notch plates • Black powdercoated springs Features & Benefits • This suspension will give the truck a lowered stance • This suspension gives the truck a better center of gravity with less body roll • True bolt-in system with no cutting into the bed required (Note: Cutting of rail for C-notch is required.) • Utilizes multiple factory mounting points to reduce install time and possible install errors • Mounting options for multiple factory rearends, 12-bolt (car and truck), and Ford 9-inch • All Heliarc welded for the highest quality and strength '63-'87 Chevy C10 Pro Touring IFS TCI Engineering’s '63-'87 C10 Pro Touring IFS is engineered for easy installation, performance driving, and broader range of alignment adjustments. Made in America, the TCI kit will provide the ultimate in handling, weight savings, and strength. This frontend is based on a custom-designed modular spindle and divorced steering arms while the proprietary geometry maximizes comfort and performance. A bolt-on crossmember utilizes
heavy-duty componentry to provide safe, long-lasting enjoyment. The upper control arm mount design provides easy camber and caster adjustments. This frontend is a 100 percent bolt-in package, reusing the factory mounting points. Increase ground clearance and drop 72 pounds off the nose of your C10. All Heliarc welded for the highest quality, strength, and finish available. Available with dropped spindles to provide an aggressive stance. RideTech coilover shocks come standard and provide further height adjustment and a 26-way ride comfort control. TCI Engineering also provides an adjustable air-ride suspension kit for those who have extreme lowering needs. Includes a 1,000,001-mile warranty. Included Parts • Custom TCI Engineering modular heavy-duty truck spindle design • Bolt-on crossmember • RideTech single-adjustable coilover shocks • 1-inch performance antisway bar • 11⁄8 inches by 0.156 wide U.S. DOM steel upper tubular A-arms • 1¼ inches by 0.120 wide U.S. DOM steel lower tubular A-arms • Power rack-and-pinion standard • 12-inch vented rotors • 5x5 truck bolt pattern • Big-bore calipers • Energy Suspension polyurethane greasable bushings • Engine stands to accept: small-block, big-block, and LS engines (optional mounting brackets and oil pan required with LS) • Crossmember delivers bolt-in 5-inch drop • Custom TCI Engineering modular
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heavy-duty truck spindle design Moog heavy-duty upper and lower ball joint Reinforced 3⁄16-inch-thick crossmember using one-piece lower control arm pin design Dramatically improves handling and braking Energy Suspension polyurethane greasable bushings help insulate road noise True bolt-in with no cutting or welding required Utilizes multiple factory mounting
points to reduce install time and possible install errors • Rotors, spindles, and brakes come assembled with bearings packed with high-temp grease All TCI Engineering products come with their dual warranty: six-year/60,000-mile on wear and tear items like bushings, coilovers, and ball joints. Any items built inhouse by TCI Engineering, such as link bars, control arms, spindles, or crossmembers, come with a lifetime warranty.
ARP’s Polished Stainless Steel Fasteners Add Beauty To Your Ride Lift your hood with pride when ARP polished stainless steel fasteners are used to enhance your engine compartment. They won’t chip, peel or rust like chrome plated bolts. And they’re stronger than Grade 8 hardware. You get the best of everything. ARP has kits for complete engines, for individual applications, and in handy “bulk” 5-packs by size. They range anywhere from ½" by 6" long to tiny 10-32 by ½" in SAE coarse, fine and metric. Use them for your chassis and suspension too. Check out ARP’s 4,500-plus fastener kits online or get a free printed catalog upon request. Go to www.ARP-bolts.com.
By Size
By Application
800-826-3045 www.arp-bolts.com
By Engine
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ART MORRISON’S NEW FRAME FOR THE '59-'64 IMPALA TRULY IS A WORK OF ART STORY & PHOTOS BY JOE RAY
SOURCE Art Morrison Enterprises (800) 929-7188 www.artmorrison.com
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When it comes to art, it comes as no surprise that we tend to focus on the canvas more than we do the frame, and things are no different when it comes to lowriding. In reality, the canvas is what gets our attention but it’s the frame that literally holds it all together. When it comes to our low-lows, the frame can make all the difference in the world. While the frame may not be visible, it serves as the central skeletal system of any vehicle and it’s what literally holds everything together. The body, motor, suspension components, and all other essentials are bolted up to the frame and by now you already know the pitfalls of half-stepping when it comes to the frame game. For the past few decades, many of us have opted for “boxed” and “wrapped” frames and we know all too well just how time-consuming the task can be. But even when the frame is done, we have to deal with upgrading suspension components, as well as the additional weight that has been added because of the additional reinforcements. Well now we don’t have to fuss with all that. Art Morrison has long won
the custom car world over with their stellar frames but now it has a newly launched unit for the '59-'64 Impala. In the past decade, the popularity of the Impala has gone full swing. From rods to lowriders, customs to cruisers, the Impala has long been a class act, so in response to the needs of car customizers, Art Morrison has developed a new chassis that features a whopping 3x4 main frame designed specifically for a lower ride height as well as extra clearance for your exhaust system. Once you peel your eyes away
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Treat the Overheat! Automotive Dept
Supercenters
Removes the rust that causes overheating Amazon | Jegs | Summit Racing 888.329.9877 | www.EVAPO-RUST.com
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from the clean welds and beautiful craftsmanship found throughout the frame, you’ll notice that the front has been fitted with AME’s highly acclaimed Sport IFS with its beefy tubular control arms, Strange adjustable coilover shocks, Wilwood spindles, an adjustable antisway bar, and a power rackand-pinion steering. So what about the motor options? Well, AME has you covered because they have motor mounts available for small-block, big-block, W-block (348-409), and LS-series engines, while transmission mounts can be configured for most any popular automatic or manual shift tranny. In addition to having a superstrong frame, the AME frame provides superior handling—and the ability to handle an abundance
of power—and is assured through a triangulated four-bar rear suspension and a beefy 9-inch rearend. Adjustable coilovers and an adjustable antisway bar provide the desired ride. A new two-piece driveshaft greatly reduces vibration and minimizes floorboard modifications. In fact, the GT Sport requires less floor mods than any aftermarket chassis for these cars. Available with a Performance Air Spring suspension, coilovers, or their exclusive Multilink IRS for optimum handling, AME frames are a must-have if you’re looking to build the ultimate ride. Base frames start at just under $15,000, which is a small price to pay to know that the foundation of your ride is as solid as the rest of your build. 80
"AVAILABLE WITH A PERFORMANCE AIR SPRING SUSPENSION, COILOVERS, OR THEIR EXCLUSIVE MULTILINK IRS FOR OPTIMUM HANDLING, AME FRAMES ARE A MUSTHAVE IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO BUILD THE ULTIMATE RIDE."
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THIS FINAL STEP CAN HELP ABSORB THE PAINS OF A BOUNCY RIDE AND HELP ELIMINATE A HARSH, UNSAFE RIDE STORY & PHOTOS BY JOE RAY
Regardless of whether you choose hydraulics or air to adjust the altitude—and attitude—of your car, the suspension has always been a key part of any lowrider. Today we’ll be discussing an important (and highly overlooked) part of your suspension setup: shock absorbers. Being fully submerged in the world of lowriding you see a lot. When it comes to suspension work the most common problem we’ve seen are owners failing to take the necessary precautions to get their suspension dialed in. Often, the biggest pitfall we’ve seen is they fail to maintain or replace not only their shocks but also their shock mounting locations. For the most part, many lowriders fail to remount their front shocks because they feel there is no room because the hydraulic cylinder or airbag replaced its location, but this couldn’t
be further from the truth. There are a few remounting kits available, or you could simply modify them yourself. When it comes to the front suspension what you’ll find is most people don’t run shocks, and when it comes to the rear shocks most guys use their old shocks; neither option is good. Shock absorbers are what absorb road undulations and essentially what keep your car riding and rolling smooth. In addition, since you’ve changed the geometry of your suspension you probably also have shocks that are no longer the right size, and this in turn equates to a ride that bounces out of control—and a common problem seen as lowriders bounce down the street without even hitting a switch. In short, you have to relocate and install remount brackets for your front shocks. But first you must 82
measure the space needed for your shocks to work. When doing so, you have to take into consideration full extension and collapsed positions. Mark where you will place your bracket and measure your ride height in both a “laid-out” and “raised” position from the shock absorber’s eyehole to the T-hole shoulder. Some think this will affect the performance of their suspension, but believe me when I say that your switch action will still be the same if you are looking to come up quick either on air or juice. In this shock-absorbing article we bring you shock therapy for your Chevy Impala and Buick Riviera suspensions. Now that we have you in shock treatment mode, let’s discuss the right shock absorbers you should ride on in your classic vehicle, and to that we’ll be talking about the cutting-edge technology that is
GARAGESUSPENSION Impala: GM A-Body Stock Mount Front Shocks These stock mount aluminum adjustable shocks are available for a variety GM A- and F-body vehicles. In addition, these shocks are available for '63-'82 Corvettes as well as for Camaro/Firebirds, Chevelle/ Malibus, El Caminos, Chevy fullsize, Impalas, Skylarks, Cutlass/442, and GTO/Tempest/LeMans. Available in double-, single-, non-adjustable, and Drag "R" series valving options, these shocks give you exactly the ride you want, great looks, and high-performance handling, all at an unbeatable price. It is important to let you know that their shocks are rebuildable and revalveable by the QA1 factory or any QA1 authorized service centers.
SOURCE
QA1 (800) 721-7761 www.qa1.net/suspension
Your Classic Deserves the Finest Ride Does Your Truck Lay Running Boards?
1949 Chevy Suburban - Demented Customs Equipped with TCI IFS & 4-Link with Slam Specialties Bags.
— INTRODUCING — 1947-59 CHEVY TRUCK COMPLETE CHASSIS BAGGED & STEPPED RAIL CHASSIS
© 2017 Total Cost Involved Engineering, Inc.
supplied by QA1—a company that specializes in providing performance shock absorbers, carbon-fiber driveshafts, suspension, rod ends, spherical bearings, ball joints, and other related items. Known for their performanceoriented products, their parts can be found in a variety of performance vehicles, including circle track, drag racing, street performance, and street rodding. When it comes to shock technology, QA1 utilizes many unique processes and components in their shock absorbers and struts to stay on top of the latest suspension technology. QA1 engineers have spent their time crafting the highest performing shocks in the market, and their pride, effort, and research and development are seen in each and every product.
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• Stepped rail design provides enough wheel travel to lay the running boards on the ground. • Fully plumbed air bag set up provides ultimate control of ride height.
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"QA1 OFFERS STOCK MOUNT ALUMINUM SHOCKS FOR GM A-, B-, G-, AND X-BODIES, AVAILABLE IN DOUBLE-, SINGLE-, AND NON-ADJUSTABLE VALVING OPTIONS."
Custom Show Panels Add Class To Your Ride And Improve Cooling! Cover the radiator core support/hood latch area with our fitted show panels (available in clear, polished or black anodized aluminum) for great looks and cooler cruising. They’re available custom engraved with licensed GM logos or your own design (name, club affiliation, etc.).
Check out our other products & custom engraving services ■ Firewall covers ■ Door sills ■ Billet hood hinges ■ Cowl grilles ■ Radiator covers ■ Fender support bars
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PRIDE IN YOUR RIDE SCAN CODE TO WATCH VIDEO OF PERFECT SHINE WITH JOE RAY
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GM A-, B-, G- and X-Body: Stock Rear Mount Shocks QA1 offers stock mount aluminum shocks for GM A-, B-, G-, and Xbodies, available in double-, single-, and non-adjustable valving options. With these shocks you can get exactly the ride you want, along with high-performance handling, all at an unbeatable price.
GARAGESUSPENSION Buick Riviera: Stock Mount Front Shock Absorbers These stock mount adjustable front shocks are available for '63-'65 Buick Rivieras. Available in double-, single-, and non-adjustable options, these shocks provide exactly the ride you want: high-performance handling and great looks. Made in the USA, these QA1 aluminum shocks are 100 percent dyno tested and serialized before leaving their Minnesota factory.
"MADE IN THE USA, THESE QA1 ALUMINUM SHOCKS ARE 100 PERCENT DYNO TESTED AND SERIALIZED BEFORE LEAVING THEIR MINNESOTA FACTORY."
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PICTURE-PERFECT PICTURE PERFECT COLOR-MATCHING
NEW USA-740 RADIO New from Custom Autosound, the USA-740 Radio. The best in audio technology wrapped in a classic look. s Available in your vehicle's bezel for that original factory look. ® s 8 Bluetooth music streaming and voice calling from your mobile phone.
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Add bottom end power! s )NCLUDES TWO #USTOM For a Dealer near you, go to: Auto 8" Sub-woofers. www.casmfg.com s .OW COMES WITH A "OSS 800 watt amplifier. s 0ANEL MOUNTS TO THE back seat from the trunk
In this month’s Lowrider Paint Tip, sponsored by Axalta Coating Systems, Axalta introduces its fifthgeneration spectrophotometer, the Acquire Quantum EFX, which packs innovative technology into a lighter, faster, and highly accurate unit that is capable of reading metallic, pearl, effect colors, and more. Combined with Axalta’s ColorNet color formula retrieval software, the Acquire Quantum EFX integrates seamlessly into the Acquire Color System, a color retrieval system for automotive repair designed to improve productivity and efficiency of collision repair body shops. The re-engineered Acquire Quantum EFX is almost half the size of its predecessor to enable comfortable, one-handed operation, and access to hard-to-reach places. Its aperture is smaller by 20 percent for improved accuracy on curved surfaces, and it includes a top-mounted touch-screen that is calibrated for high visibility even in bright outdoor light. The unit comes with a “smart cradle” for convenient charging and direct connection to a PC, without the need to plug in or remove cables, which can cause unnecessary wear. The Acquire Quantum EFX is also Wi-Fi enabled, allowing users to transfer data directly to ColorNet. Axalta’s Acquire Color System also includes its unique online ColorProof application that renders spectrophotometer readings on a user’s computer screen for a full visual comparison of the vehicle and its closest available paint formula. With near-specular face and side tone visualizations and flake and color values, ColorProof gives users precise on-screen color proofing in seconds and practically eliminates the need for physical color chips. Acquire Quantum EFX is now available through Axalta’s distribution partners. For more technical advice please feel free to contact Axalta’s product specialist Steven Chaparro at steven.c.chaparro@axaltacs.com.
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Buick Riviera: Stock Mount Rear Shock Absorbers These stock mount adjustable rear shocks are available for '63-'65 Buick Rivieras. Available in double-, single-, and non-adjustable options, these shocks deliver a smooth and balanced ride that offers high-performance handling and great looks.
Look for the OPTIMA DIGITAL 1200 AND DIGITAL 400 chargers at a retailer near you. The OPTIMA logo, OPTIMA Batteries, The Ultimate Power Source, Spiralcell Technology, REDTOP, YELLOWTOP, BLUETOP and The Six-Pack Battery Design are trademarks of Johnson Controls, Inc. ©2017
8-ply
Every component used in their products is crafted by their engineers to give you the highest performing suspension products. • Made in the USA • Easy, bolt-in installation • No cutting or welding needed • Non coilover • Lightweight aluminum • Stock mount • 100 percent dyno tested and serialized • Rebuildable and revalveable by the QA1 factory or QA1 authorized service centers Please measure your ride’s altered suspension height and laid-out position to get the right size shock to control your ride for comfort and stability.
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INFLUENCING IN NFLLUEN NCING THE NEXT NEXTT GENERATION GENERATION OF OF LOWRIDERS BEGINS AT HOME STORY & PHOTOS BY BETO MENDOZA
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1966 SCHWINN STING-RAY OWNER Jayden “JD” CITY/STATE Santa Ana, CA VEHICLE NICKNAME Baby Boogie CLUB Santana B.C. WHEELS/TIRES 16-inch with whitewalls BODY/PAINT House of Kolor candy red and brandywine INTERIOR Leather-tooled seat
Grandparents will spoil their grandchildren to no end, so when both grandparents share an affinity for cruising and hitting switches, the spoils of their lifestyle are sure to trickle over. That’s exactly the case for Jayden. Since the day he was born, he was destined to be a third-generation lowrider and his grandparents were there to offer him an enjoyable experience that is sure to influence his love for lowriding. “I built a trike called 'Gangsta Boogie' for my firstborn son,” Big Vik explains. “So when my first grandson was born, I knew one day I would be building him a bike as well.” That day finally came when Jayden was caught trying to ride his father’s trike but was unable to because the trike was too tall for him. At that point, Big Vik decided to build him a miniature version of the same trike and call it
“Baby Boogie.” Soon after, he headed out to the Pomona Swap Meet and found a rusted 16-inch Sting-Ray frame, and after purchasing it brought it straight over to Big Poppa Kustoms where it got a fresh candy red and brandywine paintjob. Additional details were added by way of ’striping by Edgar Oliva, chrome accents by Elis Chrome, and a custom leather tooled seat by Juan Gonzales. In all, the final product sealed Jayden’s fate as a third-generation lowrider and there was no better form of payback than to watch Jayden take it for his first stroll. Seeing him ride the bike for the first time made Grandpa Vik very proud and he’s hopeful that the enthusiasm and joy he witnessed will evolve into a love for lowriding that will span generations to come. 89
BIKE MODEL
1966 SCHWINN STING-RAY Hand crafted and leather tooled artwork performed on the custom seat.
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CHECK THE FOLLOWING TO BE DISPLAYED: P TRUNK P ENGINE P UNDERCARRIAGE P 20x20 WHY? ELECTRICITY* P YES P NO *AN EXTRA ELECTRICITY FEE WILL BE REQUIRED LIST OF TOP MODIFICATION: 1)
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LOWRIDER EVENTS RULES AND REGULATIONS: ENTRY FEES & PASSES: Car, Vans and Trucks Pre-Registration $50, Bikes and Motorcycles $30 (Includes three tickets). NON PRE-REGISTRATION $50/$30. NO WRISTBANDS OR IN/OUT PRIVILEGES. APPROVAL: All entries are subject to approval by LOWRIDER EVENTS staff and must pass final inspection at the door which shall be determined in their sole and absolute discretion. Pre-registration must complete an application and pay entry fees prior to deadline date. LOWRIDER EVENTS reserves the right to refuse any entry not deemed appropriate by it in its sole and absolute discretion. FEES: Entry fees are non-refundable unless entry is refused by LOWRIDER EVENTS. “No Shows” are eligible for one (1) ticket which must be accompanied by ID. LIABILITY: By signing this application, entrant (“Entrant”) for and on behalf of himself/herself and his/her respective heirs, companies, partnerships, corporations, consultants, agents, advisors, fiduciaries, management personnel, executors, personal representatives, administrators, insurers, trustee, successors, assigns, switchmen and all owners and operators of the car, truck, van, bike and/or motorcycle (collectively, “Vehicle”) entered hereunder (collectively, the “Indemnifying Party”) agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless TEN: The Enthusiast Network, LLC, it subsidiaries, affiliates, divisions and its and their respective present, former and future officers, directors, shareholders, board members, management personnel, consultants, advisors, predecessors, parents, representatives, servants, holding companies, employees, attorneys, agents, contractors, subcontractors, representatives, insurers, fiduciaries, successors and assigns including, but not limited to, LOWRIDER EVENTS, LOWRIDER MAGAZINE, all event sponsors and owners and operators of the event facility (collective, the “Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all damages, claims, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees and costs) and losses (collectively, “Claims”) arising out of or in connection with (a) a breach by the Indemnifying Party of any rule, regulation, requirement, term, warranty, covenant, representation or condition contained in this application and/or in the 2017 Official Rule Book (“Rule Book”) and (b) damage to tangible personal property, for personal injury and/or death proximately caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnifying Party further agrees to accept any and all responsibility and liability for the risk of loss, damage, destruction and injury (including death) to his/ her person, the Vehicle, displays and all other personal property and related items belonging to him/her and/or which are in his/her care, custody, possession or control before, during and after the show and hereby fully and voluntarily assumes all such risks and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, releases the Indemnified Party from any and all Claims arising out of or in connection therewith. Entrant further acknowledges, affirms and represents that he/she has obtained any and all necessary consents, waivers, releases and authorizations required to execute and enter into this application on behalf of and bind each and every Indemnifying Party hereto. This application and the Rule Book (collectively “Application”) shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without reference to or application of principles of choice of law. In any proceeding arising from or related to the enforcement and/or interpretation of this Application, the Indemnified Party as prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its costs, which includes reasonable attorneys’ fees, against the non-prevailing party. No modification, alteration, waiver or change in any of the terms of this Application shall be valid or binding upon the Indemnified Party unless made in writing and duly executed by the Indemnified Party from whom a waiver is sought. The provisions of this Application shall be severable, and if any of them are held invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be adjusted to the minimum extent necessary to cure such invalidity. 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PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO RELEASE: LOWRIDER EVENTS, LOWRIDER MAGAZINE, and TEN: THE ENTHUSIAST NETWORK, LLC, reserve the right to photograph, video tape, film and/or reproduce in any medium, the event, any Entrant, person and/or Vehicle for any future use, at no compensation to Entrant, the Indemnifying Party or any other third party, person or entity as LOWRIDER EVENTS, LOWRIDER MAGAZINE and THE ENTHUSIAST NETWORK, LLC shall have the absolute and unfettered right to use, sell, license and/or publish Entrant’s name, picture, biography and /or likeness in connection with being the owner and/or operator of the Vehicle along with all other content, images, materials, artwork, graphics, pictures, video, data or other information of any kind concerning the event and/or Vehicle (collectively, “DATA”), all such DATA and rights thereto being the sole and exclusive property of LOWRIDER EVENTS, LOWRIDER MAGAZINE and THE ENTHUSIAST NETWORK, LLC, and Entrant, for and on behalf of himself/herself and the Indemnifying Party, upon executing this application, waives and surrenders any and all Claims against the Indemnified Party in connection therewith. SAFETY: All fire regulations must be followed to the letter, or be subject to disqualification and banned from future events. Entrant acknowledges that he/she has received, reviewed and agrees to any and all rules, regulations, requirements, terms, warranties, covenants, representations and conditions contained in this application and in the 2017 Official Rule Book which is incorporated herein by reference. The 2017 Official Rules are available on-line at www.lowrider.com
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A SSTORY TOORY A ABOUT BOUT A RODDER RODDER TURNED TURN NED LOWRIDER LOWRIDDER STORY & PHOTOS BY Y BETO MENDOZA
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NOVEMBER 2017 LOWRIDER
CAR MODEL
1938 ROADSTER CONVERTIBLE DELUXE BY FORD
New cars have no soul. They have no history. They’re merely mass units of transportation, whereas classic cars offer an appeal that just can’t be beat. When you buy a classic car, you buy many things. Each layer of bondo tells a different story and each rusted panel comes with even more history. For the owner of this
'38 Ford roadster he’s got plenty of stories to share. After finding this local ride being auctioned off on eBay, David Novelo took a drive to inspect the car. The car belonged to an Italian gentleman who had it “rodded,” but its history is quite interesting. Far from what you see now, the owner 93
Nostalgic Cadillac sombrero hubcaps are tucked underneath the airbagequipped frame, body, and fender.
explained to David that the car was imported from Argentina as an RHD (righthand drive) model. Upon inspection the frame needed to be changed out due to rust, and at the time it was difficult to source RHD parts, so he converted it to a lefthand drive vehicle. Regardless of the mods, a good conversation led to
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1938 FORD ROADSTER CONVERTIBLE DELUXE VEHICLE NICKNAME Dirty Eight OWNER David Novelo CITY/STATE El Monte, CA WHEELS/TIRES 6.70 Firestone tires with Cadillac sombrero hubcaps SUSPENSION El Oscar installed the AccuAir setup with a 6-gallon tank and two ViAir compressors INTERIOR Lyndis Upholstery stitched together burgundy vinyl BODY/PAINT David Martinez chopped the top by 3 inches and the convertible mechanism. Kurt of TK Classics did the bodywork and laid the House of Kolor black paint. ENGINE 383 stroker, 700R transmission, Edelbrock intake
a handshake and the deal was done. Always a fan of the “chop top” looks, David decided to do some body modifications and, as he explains, he says “[The Ford] was an original Cabriolet, so that means it had a backseat and the convertible top was further back. Since, I’ve always liked the chopped looked I wanted that for the 94
A chopped roof and removed backseat gives the trunk line a longer, sleek body look.
convertible, so I went to work.” After driving it around for a couple weeks the transformation began, starting with the suspension. He got new TCI A-arms installed, had El Oscar Z-notch it, and then completed the setup with an airbag setup. Once the vehicle’s posture was corrected El Oscar started on the metalwork. He eliminated the backseat and added just about another foot to the length of the trunk, giving it a longer, much sleeker look. From there, the top was shortened, and once prepped it was treated to a full paintjob and interior makeover. Though it’s only been months since its completion, he was able to enjoy the car for a good minute before doing this shoot. Unfortunately, this will most likely be the last time you’ll get to see this beauty in the states because a day after the shoot, the car was sold to a buyer in Japan. With hopes to use that money to buy a house, only time will tell if he buys the house or goes on to build yet another great project. We’ll keep you posted.
O LOWRIDERMAGAZINE.COM
NEWPRODUCTS
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MAKE 4MSD S MODELS Atomic EFI URL www.msdperformance.com
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MAKE Impala Parts
MAKE 2 Original Equipment Reproduction
MODEL '62 Quarter-Panels
MODEL '55-'57 Paint Divider Molding Clip
URL nos.impalaparts.com
URL www.oerparts.com
OVERVIEW Restoring g a classic car comes with a host of problems. From rotted-out panels to bondo-layered y fenders, the nightmares becomes real when you strip the car down. But for those who were bamboozled into thinking they had bought into a straight g '62 Impala, the solution for their problems could easily be a call away. Thanks to the folks at Impala Parts, they y now offer full quarter-panels, ensuring a straight, clean body. No more worrying about whether your bodyman did you right, and no more worrying y g about the possibility of bondo shrinking. g Now all y you have to do is g grab a new set of quarters from Impala Parts, tack them on, do minimal bodywork, y and lay y down the candy of your choice.
OVERVIEW You’ve just restored your divider molding and it’s in pristine condition. Now that it’s ready to install you’re going to want a new set of divider molding clips, and thanks to OER they have launched a zinc-plated steel clip that is an exact replication of the original GM clip with the correct SAE threaded nut. The kit comes with six clips in total (one kit is required per vehicle) and you no longer have to mess around with altering old clips or doing what’s even worse and using windshield glue to hold them in place. While it might sound funny, I’ve seen this done; now you no longer need to worry about a half-ass installation because a set of OER paint divider molding clips will run you just $15.99 a set.
MAKE Vintage Air
MODEL Underdash Systems URL www.vintageair.com OVERVIEW Who would you trust to handle the air conditioning needs for your hot rod, muscle car, lowrider, or classic truck? Well we’d trust Vintage Air. Why? It’s because they’re the inventors of performance air conditioning for classic cars and trucks. The introduction of their Heritage Series underdash evaporator systems are incredible and are designed to deliver Vintage Air’s proven performance and classic style in a good-looking, easy-to-install package that doesn’t require dash modifications. It’s offered in two configurations: heat and cool or cool only. The units include a three-speed high-output blower fan, four directable ball vents, and an adjustable electronic servo heater valve on heat and cool units. Four different face design options include Mother of Pearl, Engine Turned Aluminum, Brushed Aluminum, and Black Anodized Engine Turned Aluminum. The cases are precision-injection molded to minimize weight and size, with each unit measuring just 16.25 inches wide by 5.25 inches tall by 12 inches deep. 96
OVERVIEW Looking for a budget-friendly EFI Throttle Body Kit? Well your search is over because now Holley/MSD has introduced their Atomic EFI kit, available for just $999.95. The kit comes complete with the throttle body, a power module, a wide-band 02 Sensor, all the harnesses for a fast, hassle-free installation, and a compact, easy-to-use handheld programmer. With the ECU and built-in sensors integrated into the throttle body, the Atomic EFI Throttle Body Kit is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your lowrider with a unit that is CARB-approved, boasts fewer wiring connections than previous systems on the market, and in some cases requires only a single fuel line. No laptop is needed, and there's no bulky ECU to mount, ensuring a clean underhood look. Atomic EFI delivers the performance and driveability you expect, with quick starts, a smooth idle, and snappy throttle response. Initial timing is handled by the handheld monitor. Just answer a few simple questions about your engine and you’re off and running. The advanced selflearning technology constantly monitors and analyzes your engine’s operating conditions, ensuring the best possible driving experience. The monitor can be removed from the car after it’s running, or left in place so you can monitor engine parameters in real time.
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At 10 years old the human brain is like a sponge. We soak in our surroundings and in turn become fascinated with all the world has to offer. We begin to form associations, we build interests, and in turn how we manifest what we’ve absorbed is essentially what builds little boys into men, and things were no different for Lowrider Roll Model Carlos Ramirez, a counselor and community activist.
Looking back, Carlos remembers watching his neighbors across the street working on cars. He found interest in the constant clanking and modification of their cars and as the current owner of a '64 Impala SS with gold-plated accessories, Carlos can easily say that his influence was literally a stone’s throw away. Born in Northern California in the 98
town of Tracy, his parents eventually moved the family to Stockton to keep him from getting in trouble. As the eldest of two brothers, his parents were hard-working harvesters who picked at local agricultural fields. When he became of age he joined his parents in the field, and while he’d be the first to admit that the first three days were fun, the days to follow were enough to make him find a new level of appreciation and respect for his parents, and it also became the drive for him to work that much harder. In the ensuing years, his education took center stage and soon he found himself the recipient of a criminal justice degree from California State University, Stanislaus. Before graduating though, he began an internship to become a probation officer and it was during that informative time that he came to the realization that a badge and cuffs would have kept him at a distance with the very youth he promised to serve, so he let the job go and became a counselor for troubled youth. The move is one that worked like a charm and he hasn’t looked back. His ability to identify and connect with troubled youth is a gift, while his roots in lowriding offer his students something they can talk about. In all, he believes that his job as an educator and counselor have taught him the value in correcting problems before they get to a probationary state, and as the current program manager for services, he continues to provide help to students and families with issues in his own community while connecting them to a lifestyle that he holds dear to his heart.
In addition to performance, the ExtremeContactâ„¢ Sport provides an extra measure of confidence because it is backed by the Total Confidence Plan:
30K
MILE LIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY 1 2
60 DAY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION TRIAL2
1 Rear axle of split fitments covered at 15,000 miles. Coverage is within the stated duration from the date of purchase or the first 2/32nds treadwear, whichever comes first. Restrictions and limitations apply.
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