Blue Monte

As you can tell just by looking at it, Jesus Martinez' custom '75 Chevy Monte Carlo cruising out of Laredo, Texas, has been substantially modified, but you might not know that you're looking at 20 years worth of customization work. "This is my second lowrider car. I've owned it since I was 17," says the now 37-year-old plumber. "I decided to cut the top back in 1990. From there, different modifications have been done."

Besides the chopped top, those modifications include a multicolored candy paint job with graphics, full-custom interior, swapped-out '87 Chevy 305-c.i.d. engine and hidden old school hydraulics setup. The "Blue Monte" belonging to Brown Impressions Car Club also sports such classic touches as engraved chrome and gold Dayton wire wheels wrapped with 5.20 Lowrider Series wide whitewall tires to certify that Jesus' divine Monte makes a good impression on the boulevard.

Credit for the blue-based but multicolored candy lacquer finish with flakes goes to the Leal Brothers of Corpus Christi, Texas, who went wild with the graphics on the hood, trunk and body panels. Generous amounts of chrome plating were provided by Astro Plating of San Antonio, Texas, while "Al's shop" in the same city gets the glory for the gold. And check out those old school-style sidepipes.

Despite being a driver, Jesus opted for a full-custom comfort zone, utilizing the stitchery skills of Loyos Upholstery in Laredo for the interior makeover. Swivel bucket seats in the front and a rear loveseat, along with most everything else in sight (including the trunk), was covered in orange crushed velvet. A chain steering wheel and dash-mounted TV add to the interior's ambience.

Exterior mods aside, Jesus didn't overlook the inner workings of his mean Monte. The new '87 Chevy 305-c.i.d. engine was dropped in and tuned up by "Torres' shop" in Laredo. The OG two-pump, two-dump homemade hydro setup with 8-inch "low-pressure" cylinders is all controlled by a pair of switches on the custom dash.

Family man Jesus has no plans to sell his Monte Carlo any time soon, and why should he? After 20 years, Blue Monte is like a member of the Martinez familia. The colorful custom is also a big favorite down in Texas lowrider circles. We originally eyeballed the Blue Monte at the 2001 San Antonio Lowrider Magazine 25th Anniversary Tour event, and set up a photo shoot the very next time that we were in the Lone Star State to bag the Blue Monte and bring a colorful feature to life. Thank you, Jesus!