Maldito '39

Viejitos C.C. is one of the strongest and most community minded clubs in Southern California--in the country for that matter; named Lowrider Magazine's 2000 Club of the Year for their commitment to advancing the sport of lowriding and to building quality cars. This magnificently muraled '39 Chevy Master Deluxe, designed and built by 39-year-old Roberto Luna (brother of Viejitos co-founder George Luna) is his latest expression of that commitment.

Dubbed "Maldito '39," which loosely means "Damn Bad '39," Roberto had a very specific goal in mind three years ago when he began the project. "I wanted to demonstrate what can be achieved when "gangbangers" adopt a more constructive lifestyle and channel their efforts in a different, more creative way," says Roberto. "It's a car with a message." A message that comes through loud and clear, thanks to awesome murals by Victor Sepulveda of East Los Angeles, California, depicting Roberto in various "gangster" and fantasy scenarios, plus a bounty of barely clad beauties and other distinctive depictions that cover the car.

Before the car reached the point where it could be muraled, however, a complete restoration was required, starting at Talpitas Auto Body in East LA. Once "Lobo" Talpitas had completed the metal massage and prepped the body for paint, he applied copious coats of candy green and black pearl green over the smooth metal surface, inside and out. Roberto had the bumpers, grille, visor trim, all of the brightwork, and the dashboard refurbished and refinished by Apollonio's Chrome Shop in Montclair, California, before reattaching them to the car.

With the exterior completed, it was time to take the bomba to Max Meza of Max's Upholstery in Riverside, California, for some of his interior stitch wizardry. Max started by constructing custom electric front bucket seats that swivel at the push of a button to make entry and exit easier. Then, a rear wraparound loveseat was built in and a full center console added, complete with two wine bottle holders and a center tray for four brewskies.

Yards of green velvet (done in OG biscuit patterns and coffin pleats) were used to cover the seats, doors, center console and headliner. Yellow velvet headliner pleats, seat welting, door trim, a tiny overhead chandelier and cut mirrors in the doors finish the plush interior appointments.

Roberto only drives Maldito about 300 miles a year (to lowrider car shows, picnics and the Viejito toy drive), but he wanted it to be reliable and juiced. So, for the engine, drivetrain and hydraulics, he called on Pepe Aguirre, owner of The Bomb Shop in Riverside. Pepe dropped in a basically stock-restored 350 V-8 from a '69 Chevy bolted up to a Turbo 400 automatic. (Roberto and brother George installed an OG straight pipe exhaust system at George's shop, Discount Muffler in Riverside.)

The setup is pretty basic, but it's only designed to lift and lay the car. After reinforcing the frame at the stress points, Pepe installed one Hi-Low Fenner Stone pump with an aluminum block, four Delta dumps and stainless steel hard lines, two group 31 batteries, four Ford solenoids and three switches (for front, back and pancake moves). Four Hi-low cylinders are fitted to the suspension, 6-inch up front and 10-inch in the rear, with shortened springs. Six 13x7 LA Wire wheels (there's a spare in each front fender) were wrapped up with Cooper Trendsetter skinny whitewall radials for rolling stock.

This is by no means the first bomba that Roberto's built (he's owned a '37 Chevy, '38 Buick, '42 Chevy Fleetline and '48 Chevy pickup), but it is definitely one of the finest, with a strong message to boot. Our judges agree as they've awarded Maldito '39 Best Mural and Best Custom Upholstery trophies. The car was also one of a handful of lowriders on display at the prestigious Petersen Museum. So it seems that everyone agrees that this is a damn malo (bad) car!