When you mention the word lowrider, the first images that pop into your head are cruising low and slow down a palm tree littered street. And although the tropical island of Guam is lined with palm trees, the one thing that isn’t so common are lowriders, and that’s exactly where this story begins.
Eduardo “Books” Colina first fell in love with our culture years ago, but it wasn’t until he moved to the mainland that he and his wife, Tina, decided to get their once semi-restored Caddy back into full show level action.
The decision was made to restore the entire car. The only way to take this Caddy to a whole new level was to pay a visit to local Las Vegas fabricator, Tee Jay of The Avenue Customs, where a convertible conversion would be performed. With a working convertible top in place, it was time to prep the rest of the vehicle for the makeover. The frame would be fully molded by High Hitter Hydraulics and a custom hydraulic setup featuring two pumps, filters, six centennial batteries, and accuman solenoids were installed. Nate Poe prepared the body, underbelly and engine compartment to receive the two-stage red-on-red Axalta paint. Zack Felix, of Felix Dezigns, would be called in to apply his signature candy patterns with leafing and pinstripe designs found throughout the car. The original 368 6.0 was powdercoated and upgraded with chrome accents along with a rebuilt TR 400 transmission, installed by Rancho Cadillac in Victorville, California. After the order was placed for a custom set 13×7 cross-laced Galaxy Wire Wheels, it was off to Luis, of Wizards Customs, who would re-create the original stitching in Red extreme leathers along with a custom center console. Finishing touches would include a Nardi woodgrain steering wheel, fiberglassed trunk inserts, and a JL Audio sound system and a Power Acoustik head unit.
The bar for custom convertible Cadillacs has been raised once again. “We could not have done it without the help of all our close friends and family,” Eduardo says. “Thanks to all who were involved with this build.”
1980 Cadillac Le Cab
Nickname
The Documentary
Owner
Eduardo Colina
Car Club
Good Times
City/State
Las Vegas, NV
Engine
1980 GM 368 powdercoated and chrome plated by Rancho Cadillac
Upholstery
Wizard re-created the original stitching in all red extreme leather with custom center console
Body/Paint
two-stage red-on-red Axalta paint with candy leafing by Felix Dezigns
Suspension
Molded frame and suspension with a custom hydraulic setup featuring two pumps and Accuman solenoids.
All around Manhattan, from the Freedom Tower to Times Square, local car clubs Drastic, Chicanos, Firme, and the Tekniquez run the boulevards of the Big Apple.
The old adage “Behind every great man is a great woman” is a powerful quote, and for fellow lowrider Luis Morales he’d tell you firsthand that the quote just couldn’t be more accurate of a description when it comes to his wife—and his life.
You see his wife, Nelly, has been an instrumental part of his life in more ways than one. But before we get into that let’s go back a few decades.
Growing up, Luis fondly remembers when he bought his LOWRIDER magazine. He was hooked from the first feature, and soon started taking notes on the cars and the lifestyle. As each issue would arrive, he’d take notes, read the magazine from cover to cover, and what began as an interest soon turned into an obsession and informal therapy.
Now it’s relevant to mention that Luis was diagnosed with dyslexia in the fourth grade. At the time, Luis would do everything he could to get out of reading, but when it came to LOWRIDER it was a much different story. Page by page, Luis found himself memorizing every word and detail of the cars he admired. That soon turned him to creating custom model cars, and his room became a temple of all things lowriding related.
Now fast forward to eighth grade and Luis met a lovely young lady named Nelly who would become not only his wife—but the rock and the motivation that kept him grounded and focused on finishing school. Looking back, Luis remembered the days he would tell her about his dreams—his dream of one day owning a lowrider of his own, and her response was always cheerful encouragement to pursue and realize his dreams.
Years later Luis converted from model cars for their fullsize counterparts, and after going through a couple of custom cars builds his heart was still set on a 1965 Impala.
In August 2014 the couple was rolling in at the at the Denver LOWRIDER show. Two rows over from them sat a stock triple-black 1965 Chevy Impala convertible. Immediately Nelly hit her husband’s shoulder and told him how beautiful it was.
As luck would have it, they found themselves parked directly next to them in the show. So as they made their way over to admire the car, the owner put a For Sale sign on the window, and at that moment, Nelly turned to Luis and said, “Do you want it?” and as they walked away Luis responded “Yeah right!”—all the while thinking to himself that it was most likely unattainable.
As they walked away to enjoy the show, that Impala was stuck on his mind. Even the night after the show was over Luis couldn’t stop thinking about it. So that following Monday morning, he received a phone call from Nelly who says, “When do you want to pick up the car?”
She had purchased Luis’ dream girl for him.
That Friday, they took the day off and together they drove to take delivery of his prized possession. Upon getting it back home, he didn’t wait but a day to contact Truspoke to order the classic wheels he wanted. From there his buddy Antelmo Hernandez cleaned up the paint, and then Luis had some subtle pinstripe added.
Next on the list was his engine. Rebuilt from top to bottom, the engine’s revamp was handled by Luis and his buddy Charles. From there, the final step was to do a few tweaks followed by the installation of a full Hoppo’s setup, which completed everything he had wanted.
And with the lowrider all built, it’s become not only the prized possession of the Morales family, but also a vehicle of expression that speaks volumes about love, trust, and the power of compassion and lowriding.
1965 Chevy Impala SS convertible
Vehicle Nickname
A Woman’s Love
Owner
Luis & Nelly Morales
Club Affiliation
Boulevard Bullyz
City/State
Greeley, CO
Body/Paint
PPG Tuxedo Black, silver and red pinstripe done by Mike Trujillo at True Paint & Body in Pueblo, CO
Engine
Chevy 350 swap, Billet Specialties serpentine kit, Edelbrock chrome intake and carburetor, Billet Specialties valve covers, air cleaner, and breathers
Suspension
Hoppo’s two-pump whammy tank Engrave It series, engraved blocks, motor, and endcaps by Hernan D’Aloia at Engrave It, hard-lined and installed by Luis Morales and Charles Luera
Interior
OPG interior kit
Sound System
Alpine head unit, 1,000-watt Alpine amplifier, two Alpine R Series 12-inch subwoofers, Memphis Audio components
Shout-Outs
Luis wishes to thank God for blessing him with all the beautiful people in his life. This journey wouldn’t have been possible without Nelly as his inspiration and partner and his beautiful daughter, Belicia, as well as his son Lil’ Luis. He wants to thank his brother Charles Luera for all his help and late nights in the garage and his entire Boulevard Bullyz family for having his back.
In 1949, Pontiac introduced the Chieftain. It was Pontiac’s upmarket model, replacing the 1948 Pontiac Torpedo, and it essentially offered more trim and an extra seating space. Today the Pontiac Chieftain is a sleeper, much like its Oldsmobile counterpart, in that it is off the radar of most enthusiasts.
Just ask Denver resident Al Sedillo and he’ll tell you all about it. He grew up in the late ’60s and always had an affinity for the classic car era. In 1980, Al went to boot camp for the United States Marine Corp and visited places like San Diego and San Jose where his love for classics grew even more.
When he got back to Denver, he married his longtime girlfriend and then set his sights on finding the perfect classic car to bring into the family. He knew his friend Jerry Montoya had a barn in Florissant, Colorado, with a Classic Pontiac in it, so he made the trip to take a look. Out of the barn rolled an immaculate 1951 Pontiac Chieftain in almost pristine condition. Montoya reluctantly sold the Pontiac to Al, even kissing the bumper as it was being loaded on a trailer.
The condition of the new Chieftain was so good that Al didn’t need to do any bodywork or paint. That left him to focus on making the new classic car his own. He went through the Pontiac and replaced all the normal wear and tear items like rubber hoses, mirrors, and lights. He added new blinds to the rear window, a new exhaust, and a tissue dispenser that came factory. As a family first traditionalist, Al searched for a club that had family orientated beliefs. He joined Viejitos because the values he lived by were exemplified in this club and their love for old-school ways.
Al waited 52 years to finally get the car of his dreams. “El Jefe” was added to his loving family and wife of 34 years. A special thanks goes to his wife, Yvonne, for her unconditional love and support as well as all to the Colorado Viejitos members for their love and respect. Al wishes to thank Jerry Montoya for entrusting him with his beloved Pontiac. “We stay in touch,” Al tells LRM. “He asks for Jefe back every once in a while, to which I reply, ‘No dice!'”
1951 Pontiac Chieftain
Vehicle Nickname
El Jefe
Owner
Al & Yvonne Sedillo
City/State
Denver, CO
Club
Viejitos
Body/Paint
original Eggshell White
Engine
flathead straight-six cylinder 239
Suspension
all original
Interior
original never been upholstered
Sound System
working AM original
Wheels/Tires original wheels, Firestone Bias 15-inch with 3-inch whitewalls
Shop: Fish Designz Owner: Eugenio Banda City/State: Avondale, AZ
Nothing will ever motivate you more than being told you can’t do something. For some, it is these moments that will come to change our lives. This is exactly what happened to Eugenio Banda, better known as Fish Designz, whose story began over 16 years ago.
While working on his car, he decided to visit a local Audio Express and commission them to create a very unique speaker box—one that the crew insisted would be impossible to make. So, inspired by some fiberglass designs the original “Fishman” had created, he was off to prove them wrong. “The original Fishman would have ‘how-to tips,’ so I figured, if he can do it, so can I,” Fish says. And so what began as a challenge, would eventually take him down into a world where “custom over factory” would be the rally cry.
These days, Fish is working with some of the top car clubs and members of the Lowrider community. The lengthy lists of heavyweights include Society, Majestics, Lifestyle, and the Imperials, as well as cover cars “Spirit Runner” and “Breaking Bad.” “I’m here to help you build your dreams,” Fish says. His company offers everything from custom trunks to full custom interiors. “We do it all,” he continues. “Anything from electrical to fiberglass and even custom paint.” With projects averaging anywhere from one month to over a year for completion, the limits are only dictated by your imagination, and of course your wallet. While most shops appear to take the easy route and simply wrap everything, Fish takes pride in the creativity and ingenuity needed to create one-of-a-kind designs for each vehicle. “Every car is different and thus every car should look different,” Fish says. No need for templates or drawings, just the trust from the client that their vision will come to life.
Fortunately for Fish, he has found his creative calling. Not only can you see his work at almost every major Lowrider or custom carshow. He will be unveiling his own visual art piece … a 2001 Lincoln Town Car that will soon be hitting the show circuit.
LR: What has changed over the years?
EB: Nobody is doing fiberglass anymore. Everybody is using material to cover everything. Glad to see paint making a comeback over the last few years.
LR: What would you like to see change?
EB: The copying needs to stop, create your own ideas. Consult with your client more and come up with something unique for their car.
LR: Where does your inspiration come from?
EB: Dave Rivera ‘Fishman’ and the masterpieces John Kennedy has and continues to build. Most importantly, Bugz of Bugz Auto art who I collaborate with constantly.
LR: What does the future hold for the custom interior/trunk world?
EB: Each new creation raises the bar. It seems as if everything is molded into a one-of-a-kind piece. The client, however, will truly dictate the future. It’s their imagination and budget that allows us the opportunity to create these visual masterpieces.
Building Caprices and being featured in LOWRIDER magazine isn’t anything new to Jaime Tapia. This is the Santa Ana resident’s sixth Caprice build and the fourth time being featured on the pages of LOWRIDER. What is new for him is landing the cover of LOWRIDER. “I looked at all the cars on the cover of LOWRIDER and used that to guide me in the build but while keeping an old-school look to it.” Jaime’s been lowriding since 1994 and he credits his start to his cousin’s love of lowriders and his father who owned a Caprice.
Jaime picked up this 1975 convertible that needed everything done to it by trading a fully done up 1973 Caprice that was featured in LOWRIDER back in 2008. “It wasn’t a straight trade since this one needed everything,” Jaime explains.
The build began when Clemente (a member of Viejitos) pulled out the original 350 motor to rebuild it. The block was painted to match the paint and a four-barrel Edelbrock carb was slapped on top. This was just the start of the motor buildup as it received ball-milled billet valve covers and air filter. Chrome headers and a water pump was added but before the motor was dropped back in, Jaime shaved the firewall to give it a clean look.
During his spare time, Jaime began modifying the car by first replacing the front end with 1976 one. This replaced the round headlights with square ones. He then shaved the door handles and molded the trunk and hood. Jazz Auto Body then received the convertible to finish the bodywork and have Armando lay the House of Kolor hot pink paintjob. Armando laid ghost patterns by using candy purple with magenta fades in the hood, trunk, sides and engine compartment. Manny Auto Art then came in to add purple and pink striping to outline the patterns and also ended up engraving all four bumper guards. Oscar Graphics added the finishing touches to the paint by airbrushing a mural of two females and the cars name under the molded trunk.
Herman Sanchez then molded the upper and lower arms and reinforced the frame, and 1995 Impala disc brakes were then modified to fit with the stock rearend. AP Show Chrome dipped everything in the motor and undercarriage (including the gas tank) in chrome.
Joe at California Upholstery wrapped the Honda Accord seats in raspberry and pink vinyl and added custom door panels with painted inserts. A custom fiberglass center console was built that went from under the front dash all the way to the back dash. It was then painted and striped to match the car. A billet CPP steering wheel and custom kick panels to house 6 1/2-inch Pioneer mids were added to finish the interior.
Work inside the trunk began when MG Auto Sounds installed the all-Pioneer sound system that includes two 12-inch subwoofers. Herman Sanchez then installed a Hoppo’s double whammy with an engraved tank. Three old-school slow downs, three square dumps, engraved monster check valves, six batteries, and hand-bent steel tubing was added to finish up the hydraulic setup. Omar Estrada wrapped the trunk in fiberglass that was painted and striped. Then 13-inch 100-spoke Galaxy wire wheels with 5.20 Premium Sportways were slapped on to complete the build.
“Everything fell into place with the build,” Jaime explains. The only thing he had to get redone was the interior. He originally had a lighter shade of pink but once he did the top in a raspberry color he felt that the interior didn’t go with the rest of the car. Once the car was competed it sat in the garage for a year before it was taken out to a show. “I waited for my club members to finish their cars so we could all show together.”
1975 Chevrolet Caprice
Vehicle Nickname
Pink’n Aint Eazy
Owner
Jaime Tapia
City/State
Santa Ana, CA
Club
Latin Life
Engine
Stock 350 engine with ball milled air filter/valve covers, chrome water pump, Edelbrock carburetor, Flowmaster exhaust, aluminum radiator, and electric fan
Body/Paint
Shaved door handles, updated frontend and molded firewall, trunk, and hood. The raghouse was then sprayed with House of Kolor hot pink with candy purple and magenta patterns.
Suspension
Molded upper and lower arms and 1995 Impala disc brakes mounted to the original rearend and a chrome Hoppo’s whammy pump with three slowdowns and six Interstate batteries
Interior
The custom seats were wrapped in raspberry and pink vinyl and a CPP billet steering wheel was added to finish the interior
Sound
Pioneer deck and Pioneer amps, mids, and subwoofers
Wheels/Tires
13-inch 100-spoke Galaxy wire wheels with Premium Sportways 5.20s
When you grow up in a car-crazy family, it’s hard to not get sucked in-and that’s exactly what happened to our featured guest. Back in the day, when fullsize vans on Rockets were in style, Anthony Martinez recalls all the times he used to go with his father to car shows. Decades later, that quality time spent with this father proved to be invaluable, and it was also that influence that got him hooked on lowriding.
Seeing these cars created such a huge impact on Anthony’s life that at a young age he took to a part-time job in order to buy his first car. After months of managing his money right, he ended up having enough to pick up a Cutlass Supreme, and before long he had enough money for a set of chrome roadsters and a single hydraulic pump. Along with a friend they did a garage install, which included a bungee cord holding down the batteries in the trunk, and while some may have read that last part with a frown on their face, you have to remember that he wanted to hit the streets by any means. In short, the install was done to temporarily feed his passion to lowride, but it also marked the beginning of a love affair that would soon grow into something so much more.
Years later, he heard about a 1958 his friend Bert at the Chevy Shop was building. At the time Anthony had just completed two cars of his own, so he didn’t think much about it, but when the car went up for sale they reached out to Anthony to see if he was interested in buying it. “It wasn’t good timing because I had just finished two cars of my own and didn’t have the money for it.” Knowing that he was financially strapped, he still went out to look at it and after seeing it in person he knew he had to have it. The quality of the car was like nothing he had seen in the area, so he decided to put his freshly built cars up for sale and weeks later he had the money to purchase the 1958.
“I’ve always built my own cars so it was nice to get one that was almost finished,” he says. During the build, the most challenging part was getting the Level Air to function correctly. The frustration of trying to get it working almost made him slap an airbag setup on it, but eventually they got the rare factory option to work properly and it was a blessing, to say the least.
At first, the car was merely garage art that sat pretty, but after fighting the unbearable feeling he decided to take it out and that feel was simply incredible. Till today, Anthony can still recall the incredible morning he took it out. With the top down, good music banging, and his wife sitting proudly by his side, he remembers the admiration he received from passerbies, and that in itself was enough to make his voyage all worth while.
1958 Chevrolet Impala Convertible
Vehicle Nickname
Boulevard Nights
Owner
Anthony Martinez
City/State:
Albuquerque, NM
Club
New Mexico
Engine
348 engine that was restored to original condition with Delco Remy generator/starter and three Rochester carburetor
Body/Paint
two-stage PPG black
Suspension
Factory original rearend was shortened to accommodate the wire wheels and a hard-to-find factory Level Air suspension was restored to working order
Interior Black vinyl Ciadella interior kit with black, blue, and green inserts
Sound System
Factory-original Wonderbar radio
Wheels/Tires
Cross-lace 13×7 Zenith wire wheels with Premium Sportway 5.20s
A motorcycle is something Adam Perez is very familiar with. As the owner of several street bikes, he wanted to keep riding two-wheels but he also wanted something that would slow him down so he wouldn’t kill himself. That said, he decided his next motorcycle should be a cruiser. “I wanted to go with a Yamaha for its reliability. I ride the hell out of my bikes so I need that dependability,” Adam says. In turn, his search led him to this 1999 Yamaha Roadstar that was posted on Craigslist.
True to his word, Adam has taken his Yamaha on a trip most other motorcycles would envy. In just two years since owning the Yamaha, Adam has racked up over 40,000 miles while most other comparable bikes collect dust in the corner of the garage.
Six months after buying the Yamaha, he saw a fully done Yamaha and that was enough to act as a tipping point to build his own. Seeing that bike inspired him to do his own buildup and this is when the build began. Unlike Harleys, which have a host of readily available parts, Adam had to get creative and modded plenty of parts to make the magic happen.
With the help of his family and friends he began customizing the Yamaha. His uncle, Rafael Montes, laid a gold base on the bike before adding the pagan gold candy. His friend, Rico, then came in and added the leafing and ‘striping, while the seat was sent out to be molded by Gabe’s Custom Upholstery. The seat was wrapped in brown and beige caiman crocodile and he enlisted the help of his cousin who wired up the audio system.
When it came to getting a new set of diamond-cut wheels, Adam had to have an adapter machined out to fit the Yamaha. In all, the Yamaha’s complete transformation may have happened in the garage or under a tent but it never spent a single day in a shop, and that’s definitely something to take pride in.
With the motorcycle finished, you can always catch Adam riding around the 209 or hitting up runs and rallies like Street Vibrations, Virginia City, Hollister, and Reno every year. It’s a bike built to show and ride and a great example of how a daily driver can have enough charm and personality to double as a full show bike.
1999 Yamaha Roadstar
Vehicle Nickname
Garage Gold
Owner
Adam Perez
City/State
Merced, CA
Engine
V-twin 1810cc with Barons big air kit, Curts Ported intake, Mikuni Spedstar carb, and Bub Big Willy exhaust
Body/Paint
Streetglide bags, suicide shifter, Carlini gangster apes, Barnett cables, and shaved fenders. The paint used was House of Kolor pagan gold with a gold base.
Suspension
Progressive suspension springs
Interior
Caiman crocodile in brown and beige
Sound
Boss Audio deck with Sound Stream amp and Infinity Kappa 6×9-inch mids
Wheels/Tires
21×3.5 diamond-cut spoke Ridewright wheel in the front, 16-inch in the rear and Shinko 120/70/21 tires
Currently Al Corona is a diesel mechanic, but back when he was a refrigerator technician at Thermo King he spotted this 1972 C10 at the neighboring meat company parking lot. Al and a coworker walked over to take a closer look. They found the truck to be very well maintained. Al told his coworker that if he ever had the chance to own a truck like it, he would jump on the opportunity. A few months later the truck owner was pulling the truck into the warehouse for storage when he asked Al if he knew anyone interested in buying it? “Yes,” Al quickly replied, “I do.” He was the second owner and had the truck since high school but decided to sell it because he was buying the meat company from his boss and needed the extra money. They made a quick deal and signed the paperwork the next day.
The build started right away and it became a street truck with wheel and airbag suspension. Two years later Al broke the truck down and rebuilt it to be a full show truck. The rebuild began with Corona Custom’s rebuilding the 355 and then having Kreative Koncepts lay the candy paint and tribal patterns throughout the hood, sides, and tailgate. Horacio Ramirez added slash-style stripes with a chameleon candy. Everything that he was able to unbolt was taken to Moreno’s Polishing for the chrome treatment. Prime Time Interiors did the upholstery and Sounds Unlimited did the sound system. Al said that if he had to do it over again he would have gone with a less-is-more approach.
1972 Chevrolet C10 Cheyenne
Vehicle Nickname
Skanless 72
Owner
Al Corona
City/State
Hughson, CA
Club
Skanless
Engine
355-cid with tall polished aluminum center bolt valve covers, Chevrolet Performance air filter with K&N filter, chrome Summit alternator, chrome Summit high-torque mini starter, Edelbrock endurashine vortech intake, Holley 750cc double-pumper carburetor, HEI ignition, red Taylor 8mm spark plug wires, Flowtech ceramic-coated headers, MagnaFlow exhaust system, and Optima red-top battery
Body/Paint
Billet grille by Classic Industries, House of Kolor candy black and candy red tribal patterns
Suspension
Firestone airbags, MIC air compressor, and 10-gallon tank
Interior
2002 Silverado seats wrapped in red and black leather with a Grant steering wheel
Sound
Sony head unit with two 1,000-watt Sony Xplod amps and an 800-watt one to power the two 6×9-inch, two 6 1/2-inch mids, and two 12-inch subwoofers
Wheels/Tires
candy red and black 20×9 Sinister wire wheels with 245/35R20 Pirelli tires
Car culture is built around the desire to build and create, but along with it comes the never-ending search for parts, time, projects cars and of course money. As with all of our home garages, we’re always on the search for the next new thing and below we’ve compiled a short list of some of the hottest products for this month.
While some of these products are car specific, other’s are more universal, so be sure to check out these latest offerings and visit the manufacturers websites to see what else they’ve got for you and your ride.
Are you tired of breaking the carrier bearings on your Impala? If so, then hop on over to Hoppos. They’ve crafted their very own “heavy duty” carrier bearings using 6061 T6 aluminum (Certification paper available upon request), and they’re fully rebuildable and come complete with c-clip retaining ring. The direct bolt on unit promises to offer a trouble free installation and now you can ride in confidence knowing that you’ve got a product which lives up to the Hoppos name.
You’ve just completed an LS3 motor swap but something still isn’t right; and that’s probably because you’ve got a bland looking motor that needs a little oomph in the arena of looks and low-end performance. That said, Edelbrock is here to breathe some life into each of those departments.
Designed for Gen IV engines with LS3, L92 and L76 rectangular port cylinder heads. The Cross-Ram LS3 is a must have for anyone looking to improve performance between 1,500 – 7,000 rpm. The unique dual-plenum design features 13″ long runners with flanges that will accept two, 90mm GM LS3 throttle bodies. In addition, the unique cross-ram dual-plenum design is ideal for twin turbo applications. When matched with high flowing air filters and inlet tubes, the dual-plenum system gives neck-snapping performance with plenty of options for engine builders and tuners. Dyno testing resulted with gains of 27 horsepower and 28 ft-lbs. of torque over a popular aftermarket manifold.
The new AMSOIL Deluxe Grease Gun Kit is must for any garage of shop. Their new grease gun provides improved performance and added functionality, thus making the job of greasing equipment even easier. The unit develops up to 3,500 psi, ensuring grease is adequately applied to the application and the two convenient grease-distribution options (flexible hose and rigid pipe) help as well. The pistol-grip design and rigid hose allow one-handed grease application, while the flexible hose eases access to hard-to-reach locations. Some added features include a plastic tip cover to protect against debris and an easy-to-use plunger simplifies loading.
Eddie Motorsport’s new billet aluminum interior door handles are a necessary addition to any show car. Precision CNC machined from high quality 6061 T6 aluminum, the new interior door handles are a custom alternative to cheap pot metal interior pieces. Door handle and window crank models are available along with new matching window vent cranks! The door handles come with heavy duty brass 16 spline insert which prevents wearing out and stripping, a common occurrence with original and imported handles. The handles work with 1/2″ splined shafts and feature a large 2″ round base plate to cover the upholstery cutouts from most existing OEM handles. Available in four distinct designs. Proudly engineered and machined in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
As with most of the high quality billet aluminum parts offered by Eddie Motorsports, the billet interior door handles are available in a bright polished or raw machined finish as well as a variety of Fusioncoat and anodized colors.
Precision CNC machined from high quality 6061 T6 Aluminum
Door Handles measure 5-3/4 long
Window Cranks measure 5-1/4″ long
Window Vent Cranks measure 3-3/4″
Large 2″ round base plate to cover most existing OEM cut outs
Fit 1/2″ splined GM and Ford shafts from 1949 to present.
Heavy duty brass 16 spline insert prevents wearing out and stripping
Four distinct styles and seven custom finishes to choose from
Engineered and machined in Rancho Cucamonga, California
During the summer heat you’d be hard pressed to get me out of the house, which is why the Drastic barbecue gets kudos for being able to drag me out. This year—more so than ever—their barbecue went down in some of the worst heat and humidity I’ve felt.
While we were all looking for a way to cool down, I’ll be the first to admit that the pain was definitely worth the pleasure of what they have to offer. What started off years back as a picnic has picked up speed and now for their 15th celebration they did not disappoint.
When you consider the fact that the New York lowrider community is far smaller than that of Cali’s, it’s an impressive sight to see. The barbecue went down at the Valley Stream State Park and entry was a single can of food per person. These donations all went to the Island Harvest Foundation and from there they are distributed to feed the homeless and those in need.
In attendance were many clubs from the surrounding areas, like Certified, Loyalty, Chicanos, Tekniques So Low, Firmes, and a few others. The Majestics from Toronto also showed up with a black 1964 and Skinny’s hardtop 1959 is always a sight to see. Now, when it came time for the hop, Lefty, out of Pennsylvania, brought his blue Cadillac; but at the end of the day it was Andrew and his blue Cutlass that jumped in for the win. Then again, we would have expected nothing less as this is the seventh time Andrew has won the coveted “King of the New York” title.
For food, Bean’s mother made her infamous cake as she has done for years but you have to tip your hat off to the guys who worked the grills to provide free food for the participants. Working the grill is hard enough, but doing so on such a hot and humid day must have been short a few degrees of being a near-death experience.
That said, we wish Drastic the best of luck in years to come and we’re proud to have experienced the love, gratitude, and camaraderie of our East Coast fam.
Regardless of whether you are planning out a fresh new build or updating your current ride, there’s one thing for sure, well-designed, cutting-edge parts can add plenty of visual appeal. The team at Eddie Motorsports has been engineering custom billet components for the automotive enthusiasts since 2009, utilizing their state-of-the art CNC mills and lathes to produce plenty of products for a number of Chevrolet classic models.
Since the popularity of the Chevy Tri-Five Bel Airs have grown on the lowrider scene as of late, we got a hold of a project Bel Air build to give the car an injection of style, contacting Eddie Motorsports for their complete offering of billet aluminum upgrades. Being able to jettison mundane parts that were totally devoid of style in their factory form will make a big difference on this finished product.
Starting with their billet hood hinges crafted from 6061-T6 billet aluminum, it was time for the factory stamped steel hinges and springs to go. The new hinges feature your choice of finishes, including machined, fully polished, or custom Fusioncoat colors. They come ready to install with all the hardware and choices of stainless steel nitrogen-filled gas support struts available in various strengths to support everything from steel to fiberglass and even carbon-fiber hoods. One often-overlooked area always seems to surround a car’s trunk for some odd reason. Often set up with factory hinges and torsional springs, they are far from eye appealing. Eddie Motorsports has come up with expertly crafted one-piece CNC-machined billet trunk hinges supported by nitrogen-filled gas shocks that install in a snap.
Another area where the Tri-Five can benefit from a face-lift was the hood bracing as well as the hood latch, support, and the hood bumpers. Easy removal of the factory parts allowed for the installation of the stunning new billet aluminum pieces to add just the right amount of dazzle to accent the engine compartment.
We wrapped up our installation with a pair of their direct-replacement door handles, also machined from solid billet aluminum. Thanks to the ease of the following installation steps, it didn’t take long for all the enhancements to add just the right amount of allure to the Bel Air.
Here’s a sample of the showcased polished billet parts available for your Tri-Five from Eddie Motorsports. Included are hood and trunk hinges, door handles, stainless steel hood adjusters, hood brace and side supports, and the hood latch and support.
01. It’s a good idea to note your hood fitment prior to removal. It’s also important to have help during the hood removal process. Here you can see the stamped steel stock hood brace and side supports in place along with the hood latch.
02. This close-up lets you see that the brace and side supports were set in place at the factory using rivets, which will need to be removed for our installation.
03. With masking tape and a felt tip pen, we marked the rivets needing to be removed. We got started using a small air-powered cutoff wheel to begin the removal of the factory rivets. Note that the hood is resting atop a padded stand. We are all about safety, so don’t forget to wear eye protection while performing this process.
04. Once the rivets were removed, Newell used a small circular grinder topped with an 80-grit disc to deburr and clean up the area. With the rivets removed from both sides of the hood, he then followed with a slotted screwdriver to pry the hood sides and the main brace apart.
05. Next, to complete the removal of the hood brace, the two rivets securing the hood latch mechanism to the front of the hood were removed using a small cutoff wheel. The areas were then deburred and cleaned with an 80-grit disc.
06. Here you can see the stock hood brace and latch removed from the hood.
07. With the factory hood brace removed, the hood latch is still part of the unit. This will also need to be separated.
08. We continued on with the small circular grinder to remove the remaining rivets, in order to separate the brace from the hood latch.
09. You can see just how cool the new highly polished CNC machined hood brace and side supports are, machined from billet aluminum and treated to cutting-edge styling.
10. We began assembly of the new hood brace using the supplied hardware. Here we are attaching the new polished support bracket to the side of the hood brace.
11. The simple, clean installation looks trick once in place. With the Eddie Motorsports hood brace installed, you can appreciate the immediate difference the well-designed part makes.
12. We then followed by installing the complementing polished billet hood brace supports. With the new parts installed, it’s easy to see just how cool they look and how alluring they will be once the car is put into final paint.
13. Next, it was time to remove the factory stamped-steel hood hinges and springs. In order to install the new Eddie Motorsports units, the pictured seam on the firewall running parallel to the hinge mount required trimming with a cutoff wheel to prevent it from interfering with the actuation of the hinge strut.
14. Here you can see the expertly crafted CNC machined hood hinges made from high-quality 6061-T6 billet aluminum. The hinges come with polished stainless steel nitrogen-filled gas struts and sealed bearings and are available in varying strengths to accommodate all types of hoods, including steel, fiberglass, and carbon-fiber.
15. The hinge was then installed using the supplied polished stainless steel mounting hardware.
16. With assistance, the hood was then mounted to the new hinges and adjusted for fitment. There’s no better way to add just the right amount of brilliance under the hood than by replacing the mundane stock stamped-steel hinges and springs with these units from Eddie Motorsports.
17. There’s no better way to add just the right amount of brilliance under the hood than by replacing the mundane stock stamped-steel hinges and springs with these units from Eddie Motorsports.
18. To add even more allure under the hood, Eddie Motorsports machines these trick polished stainless steel hood adjusters that look slick and will never rust or corrode. They are also available in a machined finish.
19. Tired of looking at your boring stock door handles? Check out these cool units crafted from solid chunks of billet aluminum. They’re one-piece, have a wicked look, and are available in polished or a machine finish.
20. Being the new units are a direct replacement for the stock handles, installation is a snap. The new handles have an added bit of glamour for your project or completed car, giving it a well-deserved enhancement over stock.
21. If you’re working hard to make a statement with your car, you’d better not forget to give the trunk a face-lift. Eddie Motorsports spotlighted the uninspiring stock trunk hinges and torsional springs and came up with a classy alternative. Their CNC-machined solid billet aluminum trunk hinges come in a variety of finishes and include everything you’ll need to complete the job.
22. Here you can see the polished version with the supplied high-quality nitrogen-filled gas shocks for perfect support of the trunklid.
23. It’s a good idea to have some help when taking on the installation for the trunklid removal and reinstallation. Once you have noted the fitment of the lid, remove it along with the hinges and torsional springs. Our application required a 5/16-inch hole be drilled 3/4-inch from the back of the hinge bracket and 1 3/4-inch down from the package tray.
24. The hinges were then installed in place with the supplied hardware.
25. Bolt the trunklid back in place using the supplied new hardware.
26. The new hinges have given the trunk area a whole new personality and operate smoothly when assisted by the new nitrogen-filled gas shocks.
27. Another upgrade was the addition of this trick two-piece polished solid billet aluminum hood latch and support.
28. The latch and support are a direct replacement for the stock steel unit and was a simple upgrade that yielded amazing results .
If you don’t believe me? Then take a minute to observe your average 17 year old.
Much like being in a zoo, it’s interesting to see them interact in this new age habitat and what you’ll probably find is a demonically possessed teen that’s glued to their smart phone. Their days are spent texting instead of talking, taking selfies with facial expression that make them look like they’re suffering from seizures, and then there’s the emojis and codes that are suppose to represent feelings – SMH.
But that bizarre lifestyle doesn’t define every teen in America. There are those who still believe in hard work and perseverance and Craig Montgomery is a prime example. He’s a young blood with an old soul and for Craig, life was very different at that age. At 17 he was breaking his back working at a factory, and it was that strenuous life that offered much difficulty – but Craig was able to make the most of a bad situation.
It was that positive attitude that’s carried him throughout life, and it’s probably also what led him to the love of his life. It was in that same factory parking lot that he ran into a 1966 Lincoln Continental and it was game over. “A guy there had a ’66 Continental and once I saw the top go down I told myself that I would get one someday.” A few years later, he spotted a yellow 1966 convertible that was up for sale and it turned into an automatic sale.
Upon taking it home, that’s when he decided to restore it and paint it white. Six months later – and already happy with what he had – he drove by a black one and thought to himself that it would be great to have two Continental convertibles. Needless to say, his timing was perfect. The owner of the black Lincoln was getting married so he needed the money; and while Craig initially thought the owner was a fool to sell the car to get married, he was in no way about to talk him out of the deal so he did what anyone in his shoes would do, he bought it.
Upon inspection, the black Lincoln needed a to have the engine, transmission and drive train rebuilt, so that’s exactly where he started. With the rebuild complete, he mated all that reliable power to a set of 22-inch wheels and an airbag setup to set it off. In conjunction with that build, he also has his white Lincoln restored to original condition and the pair makes for the best of both worlds.
As a result of him staring at his completed cars, he looked at his pair of convertibles and decided to name them Ying and Yang. Appropriately enough, the name is perfectly suited for the duo simply because Ying and Yang represent the fact that seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be interconnected and complementary. To be honest, there is not better way to name the pair simply because they offer the best of both worlds. From one being stock, to the other being laid out, it’s a perfect representation of his positive outlook and life and serves as the perfect way to show his own duality.
1966 Lincoln Continental
Vehicle Nickname
Yin
Owner
Craig Montgomery
City/State
Levittown, PA
Club
Drastic
Engine
Stock 462
Body/Paint
Axalta black
Suspension
Airbags
Interior
Black leather
Sound
Stock stereo
Wheels/Tires 22-inch Helo wheels with Hankook tires.
When TK Kennedy watched his friends immerse themselves into lowriding, there was something magical about. At a young age, he soaked in all of the action and soon enough connected with lowriding, and the passion hasn’t stopped. “I remember watching my friends cut springs and heat up springs on their front lawn,” TK tells LOWRIDER. “Anything they could do to get their cars lower to the ground they did.”
Yet as time passed, he didn’t realize the affect those experiences and memories would have on his life, until the ’90s that is. It was then that he learned more about hydraulic setups, and the rest, as they say, is history.
So when it came time to find a car for himself, TK looked just about everywhere and that’s when he came across a 1964 Chevy Impala convertible that caught both his eyes, and ears. You see, at first sight the convertible looked much like any other 1964 but it was what was under the hood that really fired him up.
Tucked neatly inside the engine bay was a 375hp LS engine and that was enough to get TK to pull the trigger. By now most of our readers know just how important the LS motor is to the scene. It’s become the new standard when it comes to motor swaps, and with good reason. The LS motor is reliable and it’s a powerplant that was initially introduced in 1997 to power the Corvette. Soon thereafter, in 1998, they moved that motor over to the F-body, which is the Camaro and Trans Am platforms. The architecture of the LS series makes for an extremely strong engine block with the aluminum engines being nearly as strong as the iron generation I and II engines, so having one isn’t an option but more a necessity.
Once the Impala was back at his house, it was time for TK to rid the car of any impurities, so he started by correcting any blemishes and then added some of his personal touches. When it came time for him to juice it, he opted for a one-of-a-kind aircraft setup in the trunk, which is highlighted by the color-matched Adex dumps. Zenith Wire wheels help transfer power to the ground and in all it exhibits a mean stance and a clean look that’s refreshing and inviting.
Overall it’s one fine example of a lowrider and seeing it in person is simply unbelievable. As with most lowriders, pictures do this car absolutely no justice, so be on the lookout for this show vehicle at a show near you.
1964 Impala convertible by Chevrolet
Vehicle Nickname
California Hustle
Owner
TK Kennedy
City/State
Charlotte, NC
Body/Paint
Volkswagen Harvest painted by Brent Reese, murals by Sal Elias
Engine
ZZ4 LS1, polished aluminum heads, EPWI roller rockers, S&P fuel injection, S&P pulleys, dual alternator setup, 605 power steering setup, aluminum radiator, CPP custom disc brakes, dual electric fans built by Manuel Rojas
Suspension
Eemco aircraft setup, four pumps, four Adex dumps, six Optima batteries, 8-inch cylinders in the front and 12-inch cylinders in the rear, suspension done by Brent Reese, molded rearend by No Joke Customs
Interior
Fawn color, 1964 hardtop interior kit from Ciadella Interiors installed by Tha Connection
Sound System
owner-installed Kenwood head unit and components
Wheels/Tires
Zenith wire wheels and Firestone tires
Shout-Outs
TK wishes to thank his wife, Keri, and daughter, Kendall, along with Brent Reese, Sal Elias, Manuel Rojas, No Joke Customs, and Sheen Jones. Having an Impala this flawless with a motor that boogies is a huge responsibility and one that TK is proud to take on.
For the past years we’ve become regulars at the Brothers Truck Show—and all we can say is that we’re proud to have witnessed its substantial growth. With over 500 pre-1987 Chevy trucks in attendance, it made their 18th anniversary show the biggest one to date.
So, how did it get started? Well, it all began when brothers Jim and Steve Flanders—along with their crew—decided to start a get-together, and in turn they created what can easily be called the largest classic Chevy truck show in the world.
With plenty of shade, the grounds at the Canyon RV Park in Anaheim was packed with laid and lifted Chevys, as well as top pickings of GMC truck and Suburbans. There were plenty of vendors on hand, selling everything from apparel to performance parts, and no shindig would be complete without plenty of food and cold drinks.
By day’s end, spectators and competitors gathered as Brothers Trucks handed out an assortment of trophies, including Best of Show, Ugliest Truck, Brothers Choice, and Club Participants. The truck that wins “Best of Show” also lands a feature in the Brothers Catalog, and that alone is a pretty big accomplishment since they print more catalogs than some smaller publications.
To sum it all up, this show is the biggest and best pre-1987 Chevy truck show there is. They feature just about every style of truck but there’s definitely more room for lowrider-style trucks, so be sure to sign up and represent. If you need more information on the show or truck parts, log onto www.brotherstrucks.com for more information.
In 2009, Wayne was in Downtown Santa Barbara with his family when he spotted someone pulling their kid in a “bombita” stroller. Once that happened, he was in complete awe and at that moment he knew that he had to have one.
“I pictured my daughter in it and told myself that I needed to get her one,” he tells LR magazine. That very afternoon, Wayne jumped online, found the exact stroller on Craigslist, and picked it up for $300. OK, well maybe the one he bought wasn’t exactly like the one he had seen, because the one he bought was in complete shambles and nowhere near decent.
The following year, the stroller had undergone a complete restoration and the final product was clean enough to show. Soon thereafter they took to the biggest show in Santa Barbara and wound up placing First in their category and also landing an award for “Outstanding Display.” This fueled Wayne’s fire, and six years later what you see here is the final product.
When asked what motivated him to build this stroller, he talks much like any father who loves their child. He talks about the pride he takes in being a father, but also mentions that he wanted his daughter to grow up “in,” and not just “around,” the culture of lowriding. Since then, his daughter continues to enjoy the scene and though she’s outgrown the stroller rumor has it that we might just be seeing her at a showing soon with a lowrider bike of her own.
Our December issue is our all-LS issue and I was using one of my “tools” (aka Instagram) to look for lowriders with LS motors in them. In came a DM from Keo Sanh showing me a badass 1964 rag with an LS motor. I definitely wanted to shoot it but he was all the way up in Seattle and I’m in Southern California. They were planning on bringing the car down to our Las Vegas Super Show so we decided to do the shoot then. After meeting in Vegas, Keo invited me to their annual barbecue. Since we don’t have much presence in the Northwest I agreed to go out.
The barbecue wasn’t necessarily like the ones in Cali; it was smaller and more intimate. Later I found out that they keep the barbecue small because the barbecue is meant to show the club members’ families their appreciation. As we all know, to build a car it takes many late nights in the garage away from the family while draining the well dry. This is Eazy Duz It Car Club’s way of showing their appreciation for all they put up with. So keep riding, keep grilling, and most of all keep appreciating your loved ones for accepting your crazy car addiction.
Jose “Speedy” Vasquez always dreamed of building something different. He wanted something unique and uncommon and in turn wanted to exercise his creative freedom but not follow form. So while his fellow Amigos Car Club members were building Impalas and Cadillacs, he opted to keep the ’90s alive by restoring a 1992 Chevy Caprice.
“I always loved the style of the bubbletop Caprice,” Speedy says. In fact, he loved it so much that he bought one, built it out, and long before getting to fully enjoy it, his car met an early demise when it was involved in an accident in 2000. With the car considered a total loss, it would have broken the spirits of your average man, but not for Speedy. Instead, he went out and immediately started searching for its replacement.
After a short search, he found another Caprice, and with his with keys in hand, he decided to start from the ground up and do a complete frame-off restoration. The project started off at Guero’s Customs where they doused the car with a two-stage Speedway Blue paintjob, highlighted by pinstriping, which is found throughout the car-including the engine, trunk, and undercarriage. From there, the 100-spoke Galaxy Wire Wheels would also be painted to match the vehicle’s color scheme while the original 1992 Chevy 305 was painted and chromed out. For height adjustment, a custom Black Magic two-pump chrome setup with three dumps and six batteries would act as the soul of the system while the interior and trunk would be upgraded with two-tone seats covered in vinyl and cloth inserts.
With the car complete, it’s a sight to cherish, but when asked about his advice to fellow lowriders, Speedy reminds us that “we all run across speed bumps during our builds. Just remember it’s never the end of the road.”
1992 Chevrolet Caprice
Nickname
Crapichoso
Owner
Jose “Speedy” Vazquez
Car Club
Amigos
City/State
Las Vegas, NV
Engine
1992 Chevy 305 was painted in matching paint and chrome accents
Upholstery
Updated 2001 interior with two-toned blue seats in vinyl and cloth inserts
Body/Paint
Guero’s Customs applied a two-stage Speedway Blue with highlighting pinstripe lines
Suspension
Black Magic two-pump chrome setup with three dumps and six batteries
Wheels/Tires
Power Coated 100-spoke Galaxy Wire Wheels
We first met 18-year-old Angel Viramontes the summer he graduated from high school. It was right around the same time that he had just completed a two-year build of his Sting-Ray bike—and this was no ordinary bike. In fact, the bike was a monumental feat that served as a starting point for his career, and while most teens are lost and wandering through life with no direction, Angel knew years before that he was going to be a custom painter, and this bike was his way of putting in the hours necessary to hone his skills.
This all began when Angel received a 1969 Schwinn Sting-Ray as a gift in July 2011. As with any true customizer, he immediately began switching up a few parts, cleaned it all up, and then began showing it. From there on in he continued to switch up the parts from time to time, but it wasn’t until March 2014 that he decided to tear it all down and completely rebuild it.
Angel began by stripping the paint and drawing up designs for new parts. Danny Pechal in Texas helped out with creating the CAD files that were eventually cut out by Mike Linville. From there, Garage Customs upholstered the seat, Miguel Chavez added some engraving, while the chrome was provided by Woody and CaliBoy.
When Angel finished the paint, he took it to Danny of DSG Graphics for the airbrushing and once back he finished it off by adding patterns and striping before the final reassembly.
But the unsung heroes of the build are Angel’s parents. They not only helped him financially but were also responsible for trailering it from shop to shop and show to show. In all, the build took two years to finish and he’s super excited to showcase it at the 2017 Las Vegas Super Show.
To be honest, I have a feeling that this isn’t the last time that we’ll be seeing a creation from this youngster, as he has feet firmly planted and headed in the right direction. He’s an artisan in the making and while we’re already impressed with his work we can’t wait to see what other bikes—and hopefully cars—he’ll be painting sometime soon.
Get familiar folks, because Angel is yet another great representation of the talent found in our scene and he’s also an integral part of the next generation of lowriders who will make all the difference in the world.
1969 Schwinn Sting-Ray
Vehicle Nickname
Violet Behavior
Owner
Angel Viramontes
City/State
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Club
Legions
Body/Paint
The heavily modified bike includes molded tank, center frame, removed seat post, multiple reverse fins, and more. House of Kolor candy violet was the main color used with tape fade and fan patterns in candy pink and voodoo violet for tape shades and pearl fades.
Suspension
C02 tanks with an air cylinder to the front forks
Seat
Chrome twisted spoke frame with a magenta and blue velour with cut class seat to go on top of that
Wheels/Tires
20-inch and 72-spoke fanned out with twisted spokes and a gold plated and engraved dish
