In March 1979, the first meeting of the San Diego Lowrider Council took place at the city's Federation Building, in an effort to create a pipeline of communication that would bring all of the car clubs together. For this inaugural meeting, some of the clubs in attendance included Amigos, Brown Image, Classics, Korner, New Wave, Shades of the 50s, Life, Ladies Pride, Latin Low Riders, Cit, Custom, Specials, Midnite Cruisers, and Oldies.
As the monthly meetings successfully continued, the council became more and more organized, forming a mission statement as the council bylaws began to take shape. One of the main bylaws declared that every SD car club had to be represented at all monthly meetings, suggesting that two delegates from each club be responsible for attending and communicating council information back to the rest of the members of their respective car clubs. The council's official mission statement read: "To promote unity and a positive image of Lowrider car clubs and barrios in San Diego."
The original chairmen of the council definitely formed their goals and ideals in the right frame of mind, and this is evident in the obvious longevity of the council over the course of the past 30 years. Just last September, the council celebrated their 30th anniversary by holding a huge dinner banquet and dance. The black tie affair brought in hundreds of people, some of whom had been with the council since the beginning.
Some of the clubs representing the council today include Amigos, Bombas, Individuals, Oldies, New Wave, Klique, Vagos, Latin Style, South Cali, Domestic Rides, Majestics, and Twisted Minds Bike Club. The San Diego Lowrider Council primarily holds their meetings at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church located near the infamous Chicano Park of San Diego. No one club is in charge, and they have no specific presidential figure for the council. Each club takes turns in conducting every meeting.
Staying true to the mission, council members regularly attend San Diego city council meetings and the mayor's breakfast meetings, often connecting with city politicians and the chief of police to help educate them on the virtues of the Lowrider culture and the value of breaking the stereotypes associated with the Lowriding lifestyle. The SDLC has become a well-respected group, and one that partners up with those who want to assist and serve the less fortunate and under-represented people within the San Diego communities. The council serves the city by holding events like blood and food drives, rebuilding efforts, health fairs, bone marrow research events, and the annual Teddy Bear Drive (hosted by Twisted Minds Bike Club). For more information on the council, please visit them online at
www.sandiegolowridercouncil.com.
45 Years with the Big K, Little Q
Klique Car Club Anniversary Celebration
Lowriding is constantly evolving, and despite the amount of time it has been around, it is still considered a fairly new lifestyle. Only three - maybe in some rare circumstances four - generations of Lowriding men and women exist nowadays, and although technology and styles have changed the way we ride low, the heart and determination is still the same.
The most evident of these examples can be found throughout the old car clubs that have been around since the '60's and '70's. Take, for instance, the story of Klique Car Club. Originating all the way back to 1964, Klique has always been on the front line of Lowriding, from cruising on the boulevard to building trendsetting, show-worthy low-lows.
Started by a couple of high school friends, Klique was a social club throughout the '60's, but it made the transition into a car club within the middle part of the decade. That is when Klique ELA (East Los Angeles) was born. One of the oldest members is a veteran named "Bernard," and not too far behind him is Jose Martinez. Martinez was the President of the Klique C.C. back in 1974, and he is still a prominent member today.