Encouraging the sport of lowriding is a given, but there are always pros and cons as to how to best represent the sport because we set our examples on visual appeal-like looking at a young lady who may be appealing to me but not so much to you. As long as opinions are spoken and accepted with an open mind, lowriders will continue to thrive for years to come, no matter what style appeals to you. As they say, "there's always something out there for everyone."
As our sport grows, we're motivated to encourage others to join in on what we experience through forms of adrenaline-type rushes; you know, the cool factors like three-wheelin', hoppin', scrapin', cruising the calles or doing car shows. When you take a step back, you realize that we lowriders have divided styles! It's been said that if you're all chromed-out, you're hooked up for show. Then there are those who would rather look clean and cruise the streets, but even the street guys have broken it down to street-built cars set up for hoppin' and making "house calls" (in good fun.) We can't forget the radicals with their creative modifications; they're in a class by themselves.
In order to capture all of this fun that lowriders have created, you've got to have a good-sized team to gather the information. From everywhere! Even if it were possible for one magazine, we would not be able to get everyone's story out in a timely manner. Lowrider Magazine can't be everywhere, but we do a hell of a job trying! LRM sets its sights on the whole experience of lowriding and what transpires within it. We try to give a worldwide presence to the lifestyle, and encourage others through our pages.
New publications dedicated to the lowrider scene bring a different approach to what lowriding and all of its people are about, through new interpretations, styles and presence. Let it be known that we don't consider any other lowriding publication out there as a threat! If anything, they just keep us LRM guys on our toes! We welcome any new lowriding magazine. Our combined efforts will only open doors for the entire movement and offer greater opportunities to those in the sport.
Now let's encourage some good reading. Tire and wheel safety is a major concern with any vehicle. There's even greater concern when you ride on smaller than recommended tire sizes, like six sizes smaller than stock with just enough stability to keep you on the road. Now add a knockoff-mounted wheel to the equation and your life could be in even greater danger if your tires and wheels are not installed correctly. Check out the dos and don'ts, as well as the signs to look out for when mounting your knockoff-style wheels.
We also continue our look into the evolution of airbag systems with the latest computer-controlled switch panels from Air Lift. The Auto Pilot can control your setup when keyed on and off, and even preset ride heights equally at the push of a button. We continue this month with even more encouragement to break the long-standing trend of Chevy/GM predominance and give a little "love" to the growing number of Ford lowriders by going under the hood to dress up a "blue oval" 302 engine.
There's a lot more to this October issue, including coverage of our San Antonio, Texas, and San Diego, California, Tour events, where there were lowriders of all types, again testifying to the strength and diversity of the sport. This issue also features cars spanning all eras, beginning with David Rodriguez' "Class Of '94" Cadillac Brougham cover car and going all of the way back to Victor Melgoza's "Back In Black" '48 Chevy Fleetline, but '60s-era rides still rule the streets and LRM continues to roll through that decade of visual delights. We hope that you enjoy our October offering and continue to encourage the sport of lowriding.
Peace,
Ralph Fuentes