Model: Amandita Garcia
Make-Up Artist: Maria Rizzo (Pachuca Cosmetics)
Hair Stylist: facebook.com/cielo.angie
Longtime LRM readers and fellow Lowriders may be very familiar with on-air radio personality Xavier “The X-Man”®. His music feature appeared in the December ’06 issue and a short time later, his all-original ’63 Impala was featured in the March ’08 issue.
The X-Man’s “Sunday Night Oldies” show & his “Afternoon Drive” show have been his claim to fame for over two decades on the airwaves from Northern & Southern California as well as Arizona, and he is also known as the DJ that plays the best music to cruise to. As a DJ who always supports the community, aside from his radio duties, Xavier also holds his monthly “Sunday Morning Menudo” get-togethers and the annual “Cruise for the Cause” Blood & Bone Marrow Drive car show, featuring over 450 cars. Both of these events are considered big events for the San Diego area Lowrider scene.
Once again, The X-Man has wowed the masses with his latest custom car; a 1961 Impala convertible which sports styles from traditional Lowrider cars and styles from that of the rockabilly genre. Xavier wanted to be different, putting in his own flavor of styles and modifications into this ragtop, and in doing so, he’s created a truly one-of-a-kind ride.
This black beauty features a side spotlight, custom-made mock microphone shifter, an all-red color bar, remote side view mirror, front and back bumper guards, trunk light, an OG registration holder, and rocker moldings. As if all of that didn’t set it apart enough, Xavier enlisted the talented muralist, Sal Elias, to airbrush a mural on the trunk depicting a “smile now, cry later” theme using Dia De Los Muertos skeleton skulls, headphones, an old-school microphone, and Xavier’s signature “X” logo.
Xavier cites his wife Alicia and son Daniel for their support throughout the year-long buildup of his ’61, known as “Doing it to Death,” but he also gives big thanks to Armando at Nice & Easy Auto Body for helping him assemble the car. The X-Man says he also gives special thanks to his listeners whom have supported his radio shows and events throughout the years. The big Lowrider familia from both Northern and Southern California have always had his back, and for that he is greatly appreciative.
Tech Specs
“Doing it to Death”
Owner: Xavier “The X-Man”®
Vehicle: 1961 Chevrolet Impala convertible
City/State: San Diego, CA
Engine: 1961 Chevy small-block 283-c.i.d. V8 featuring performance heads.
Body/Paint: Chico of Candy’s Auto Body in Chula Vista, California was actually sponsored by Ray Garcia of PPG for taking on X-Man’s ’61 project. Chico prepared the body for paint before spraying a two-stage PPG black finish. A touch of candy red (with large metallic flakes) was accented on the body in a subtle and classy style. Manuel Cisneros of Cisneros Custom Pinstriping & Paint in El Cajon, California added the fine lines of pinstriping, and Sal Elias of Santa Ana, California laid down the detailed airbrushed mural on the trunk. Chrome plating needs were met by Romero’s Polishing in El Cajon, California.
Interior: Davalos Upholstery, in Chula Vista, was put in charge of this unique and striking upholstery. An eye-popping red color was chosen for the OG ’61 pattern found throughout most of the interior. 1964 Biscayne inserts were added in a few select areas, and a Cadillac back seat molding was the final touch of class.
Sound System: Art over at Big Boys Audio in San Diego installed an original AM radio, but used a little magic to include an iPod hookup. A Soundstream amplifier, Pioneer 6-inch mid-range speaker and a 12-inch woofer completed the audio entertainment.
Setup: Vince and Anthony of Homies Hydraulics in Paramount, California put their heads and talents together to produce a custom suspension setup featuring two hydraulic pumps, four 8-inch cylinders, four deep cycle batteries, and four switches. The stress points on the frame were reinforced for an overall stronger chassis.
Tires: 175/70/R14 Hankook whitewall.
Wheels: 14x7 TrueSpokes.