SouthSide '59

Model: Roxanne Siordia
Styling: Jennifer Newman for Exclusive Artists Management
Hair/Makeup: Barbara Lamelza for Exclusive Artists Management
Leopard provided by hollywoodanimals.com

"Toto"is back in the spotlight of the lowriding scene. Many close to the top owners and builders of lowriders in the Los Angeles, California, area have known Toto as one vato to own some firme rides in his time, selling many to them to the Japanese within the last few years. Being sort of like an icon in the scene, Toto has undoubtedly made some important connections with lowrider builders. When the time and chance came about at an auction almost two years ago, he jumped at the chance to bid on a clean '59 Chevy Impala convertible. Not only was it a very rare car in general, but it had already been mostly restored and customized for lowriding on the streets. Toto's intention was to bring it to a full-show quality level and he knew the right people to make it happen.

Taking it completely apart and putting it back together was "Big John" over at Bowtie Connection in San Pedro, California. The Bowtie shop is known for their expertise with classic Chevys and John is their master man with the master plan. With many new or completely restored parts in stock, Bowtie gave this '59 a clean makeover, making it look as if it was a brand new car again. G'z Autobody in Long Beach, California did what they do best, spraying a flawless paint job over the body in a two-tone gray color scheme. With the gallons of clearcoats that followed, a perfected mirror-like reflection was the end result on the natural sleek bodylines of the famous '59 model.

The crew over at Homies Hydraulics in Paramount, California, managed to have the frame and suspension cleaned up, molded, and chromed-out. The wheelwells and undercarriage would be highly visible when the ride is locked up high, thanks to the two-pump chrome custom hydraulic setup that Homies installed.

One of the most eye-catching additions to this convertible is the mural on the trunk. The mural is not very elaborate and "crazy" compared to other top lowriders in the show circuit, but the message conveyed is very intriguing. At first, one might think of the mural as a display of the old lowriding stereotype of gang affiliation, however, Toto's intent was to show a scene of Mexico's classic revolutionary rebel, Emiliano Zapata, and a more modern scene of a cholo who is trying to do good, but is caught in a bad situation. The two eras parallel each other and are showing a person who is good at heart, but left with doing bad to make right. The well-known muralist, Abel of Southern California, was the artist who did the great job on this particular mural.

Although Toto is being secretive on his next plans, there is no doubt that if we see more on this '59, or just a whole other ride all together, it's going to be off the chain!