Just because Low Conspiracy would cruise Story and King every Friday through Sunday didn't mean that they couldn't compete against the best-of-the-best at car shows. "Low Conspiracy would fill up a whole building with show cars. Show cars that would be driven to the show," says Jose Martinez. "It was one of my biggest memories" says John Ponce, as he recalls a car show that Carnales Unidos threw back in 1983 in Bakersfield, CA. "It was a classic showdown between North versus South." Low Conspiracy, who drove all their cars down there, literally filled up a whole building, and Lifestyle Car Club filled another building. "It just went back and forth at the awards ceremony," says John. "If Low Conspiracy wasn't placing first or second, it was Lifestyle."
Around 1986 the mini-truck phenomenon hit the Lowrider scene, dominating the culture with their tilt beds. The fad took off to the point that you would see more mini trucks at shows than Lowriders. "We had a lot of guys wanting to join the club with mini trucks, but thankfully, we stuck to our guns and kept it a traditional style car club," says John. Low Conspiracy would have been a big club at the time, as far as numbers are concerned, had they allowed mini trucks. Instead of going with the fad of the time, they kept a low number of members in the club, but with quality cars. "That was a hard time for the club" explains John, "but if it only came down to being Sergio and myself in the club, then so be it."
In September, Low Conspiracy had their annual picnic at Heller Park in San Jose, CA, where the first issue of Lowrider Magazine was shot. The club holds their annual picnic there to bridge the gaps between fellow members, new and old. "The guys in it right now are solid guys," says John, adding "they have a lot of passion for it [lowriding]."
"We both used to have custom cars on turn tables and we would get big trophies," says Sergio. "Right now, we are at a point where we want to drive our rides and enjoy them." Both Sergio and John have '60's Impalas that they drive. "Our cars are clean enough to show, but we miss the old days when we used to drive our rides everywhere," recalls Sergio. "We've come full circle, and are at a point where we are going back to cruising and enjoying our rides."
"Right now, what I really enjoy doing is going to a car show in Los Angeles or Las Vegas and seeing guys from different car clubs that have been doing this as long as I have," says Sergio. "When you see them, you kind of just click in and start talking about the old times. When you've been doing this for about 30 years, it's not about competition anymore, it's about respect."
John Ponce would like to thank all of the members in Low Conspiracy and Rick Romero who has done a lot for the club since he's joined. To all potential members, you won't make it in this club without the one thing that best defines it; respect.