After returning from the war, the veterans bought used cars that they were able to fix up thanks to the skills that they picked up in the military. To achieve the lowered look they would “sometimes weigh [the car down] with cement bags or bricks in the trunk…” (Stone). The problem that came along with this lowered look was that the car would scrape against speed bumps and the drive away. At the same time this lowered stance was illegal and these lowriders couldn’t raise the height when cops were around or going over curbs or bumps. The solution was installing cargo planes hydraulic suspension, allowing them to raise and lower the car at a flip of a switch. Not only was this a counter culture to hotrod scene it was and still seen as a family/community event. While the adults work on the car, the younger work on their lowrider bicycles. Cruising down at the park and having barbeques is just a typical scene one can see.
While there are plenty of showstopper models lowriders, there is no one set model for lowriders to follow. Lowriders can be any model from the later great models to the models that just rolled out of the factory. Typical of a showcase event there is another attraction that attracts and demands the attention of the attendants. The lowrider bicycles are proudly displayed alongside the other vehicles. (Holstorm). It’s no wonder that “interest in lowrider bikes among Hispanic kids grew out of watching older brothers and fathers working on lowrider cars” (Holstrom). The same enthusiasm and workmanship that goes into building the cars goes into the bicycles. Some spend weeks polishing their bicycles to show off at the show.
Another part of this culture is cruising throughout town. One of the most famous cruising spots is Whittier Boulevard. “This kind of cruising in peacock cars at night along a specified street – done in thousands of communities around the world – is a kind of four-wheeled cultural ritual for youths” (Holstrom). While cruising is when one can show off all their hard work that they have put into their vehicles it is also catching an unwanted attention form the police. While cruising is fun it also causes some problems from traffic to road safety (Holstrom). While the majority are men there are women lowriders who can build and hit the switch with the best of them. Some of the decorations on the cars allow one to see their cultural roots. Embedded on some are images of La Virgin de Guadalupe, historical images from Aztec stories, allowing the public to see their cultural roots.
References:
Holstrom, David. “Cruising.” Christian Science Monitor 90.191 (1998). Web.
Holstrom, David. “TOO YOUNG TO DRIVE? LOWRIDER BIKES ARE THE WAY TO GO.” The Christian Science Monitor. Print.
Sandoval, Denise. “Lowriders”
Stone, Michael Cutler. “Bajito y sauvecito [low and slow]: Low riding and the `class’ of class.”
Studies in Latin American Popular Culture vol. 9 (1990): 85-127.Print
Thomas, Irene Middlemen. “Shake, rattle, & roll.” Hispanic 7.6 (1994): 14-17. Print.
Images:
Mister Cartoon’s Ice Cream Truck taken from the Vans OTW article “Interview with OTW Advocate Mister Cartoon” .
Fabulous picture — it makes me want to look at it from all sides. It’s an amazing piece of art. Definitely want to read this more closely. You’ve been very thoughtful in your reflections.