Lowriders: a cultural legacy on wheels

Shiny vintage cars with chrome accents, neon lights, matching upholstery, and artistic engravings on their bodies welcome a community that sees lowriding as an expression of identity.

This movement is deeply connected to the Mexican community that emigrated to the United States, bringing symbols and history. Through their love of cars, music, and art, lowriders embody a blend of creativity and cultural roots, shaping a unique phenomenon and aesthetic.

Daniel, originally from Mexicali, has been part of this movement for over 35 years. At 18, he moved to the United States, where he found a connection to his father in lowriding, who collected trucks in Baja California.

In an interview with Heraldo USA, he shared his experience modifying a car: “I’m really into the ‘67 and ‘68 models. You always start with the paint, then the rims, and then the chrome. Later, you think about engraving the metal, changing the tires, upholstery, and installing the hydraulic suspension.”

For a car to be considered a true lowrider, it must be able to “hop,” says Roberto Flores, another movement enthusiast. He explains, “It’s got to have hydraulics so the car can go up and down. If it doesn’t have that, it’s not a lowrider. I bought mine in ‘91 when I was 22. It was just a shell, but little by little, I invested in it until it became a show car.”

Lowriding emerged in the U.S. in the late 1940s as part of artistic and social movements tied to cars and Chicano identity. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that it took a turn with the addition of hydraulic systems, allowing cars to rise and drop at will, creating the signature “hop” that defines lowriders.

Designing and maintaining a lowrider requires a love for cars, patience, and a significant investment. A well-modified vehicle can cost between $100,000 and $200,000, or roughly 2 to 4 million Mexican pesos.

This movement is more alive than ever within the Mexican-American community, occupying spaces and gaining followers of all nationalities. The Lowrider Super Show in Las Vegas is proof of that—thousands of people from the U.S. and Mexico attend every year, making the event a binational cultural and tourist landmark.

Patricia Tepozteco