Mind Freak

Nano Navarez, Sr. is the president of Newbreed Car Club in El Paso, Texas, and he's also one of the original club members from way back in '74 when his previous club broke up. This year, Newbreed celebrates its 32nd anniversary and the club members have earned the bragging rights to say that they were one of the first car clubs put together in "Chuco Town."

Nano is a 65-year-old veterano who has owned many lowriders in the past. His first car was a '54 Ford pickup, "Bad Company," (which he still has) that was featured in LRM in the late '70s. He was also featured in a one of a kind magazine called Technical Lowrider. Nano has a wealth of knowledge and he likes to tell his stories to anyone who'd like to know about lowriding back in the day. Nano also owns his own glass company, where they do everything from custom-cut and bent glass to the custom mirrors that adorn the interiors of a lot of area lowriders.

The story of Nano's new toy named "Mind Freak" started when he purchased the '74 Chevy Impala from an ex-car club member back in '98. The car was in cherry condition and almost complete; it just needed to be sent to that next level. The '74 was soon on its way to getting redone and was taken apart. All of the chrome parts, including the front and rear bumpers, moldings and some of the engine parts that needed a little help were fixed and re-chromed by the professionals at Electro Plating in El Paso.

The engine received a little TLC and some of the parts were chromed and painted. The engine has a total of 74,000 miles, so the engine starts in one switch and purrs like a kitten when the car rides up and down the streets of El Paso. The Impala lays down on the floor with a little help from two hydraulic switches. Nano likes to keep things simple and says that two switches are enough to lay the car on the floor.The '74 was repainted by Marcos, known as "El Loco," from Willie's Body Shop in El Paso. The body was covered with a silver basecoat and then recovered with candy gold, tons of flakes and enough clear to give it a wet look. Emilio Martinez, better known as "El Maestro," did the tan interior at his shop called Black and White and then accented it with brown piping and buttons that cover the seats nicely and give the interior that classy look.

Nano would like to thank his family and fellow car club members for all of the support that they have given to his favorite sport of lowriding for more than 40 years. If you're in Chuco Town, stop by and inspect Mind Freak. Nano may even have a story or two for you about lowriding back in the day.

Mind Freak

Owner: Nano Nevarez, Sr.

Vehicle: '74 Chevrolet Impala

City/State: El Paso, Texas

Club: Newbreed C.C.

Engine/Drivetrain: The stock 350-c.i.d. engine and drivetrain were left alone, other than being dressed up with just a little paint and chrome.

Body/Paint: The straight body '74 received a new coat of candy gold paint over a silver basecoat with tons of crazy flake. The body lines were also highlighted with custom pinstriping. All of the bodywork was done in El Paso by Marcos AKA "El Loco" at Willie's Body Shop. All of the chrome parts on the car were sent to Ruben Nares at Electro Plating in El Paso.

Interior: The old interior was ripped out and the seats and panels were recovered with tan velour accented with brown piping and big brown buttons by the famous Emilio "El Maestro" Martinez at Black and White Upholstery in El Paso.

Sound System: Stock

Setup: The car is controlled by two stitches that let it lay front and back. The setup is powered by four marine batteries, with four solenoids, 8-inch cylinders in the front and 10-inch in the rear. The setup is covered with custom upholstery and sits under a glass window that reads "Powered By Newbreed."

Tires: 5.20 Premium Sportway

Wheels: 13x7 all-chrome Dayton