Model: Monique Myriah
Wardrobe: Kandy Shop bikinis
Lowriding might just well be the only culture where a "Fatal Attraction" can actually be a good thing. Just ask Jose Alvarez, Jr., of Oxnard, CA. "I'd pick my car over going out with girls, or going to bars and clubs. I spent my nights in the garage," proudly boasts the hard-working Alvarez. Those long garage nights paid off as this car, his first build ever, has truly become a work of art. While it is a masterpiece now, it was not built without pressure; the car was handed down to Jose by his grandfather, Angel Alvarez, and his father, Jose Alvarez, Sr. Jose intended on adding "just a few mods," but the build became a frame off restoration that would take over four years to create. The car received a six-month body modification process to really achieve a custom look. "My firewall is completely shaved, the back package tray is molded, we molded some skirts, removed the side windows, added a moon roof, shaved the handles, and created a fastback-styled rear roof to make the Monte appear more sporty and less boxy," says Jose. Even more radical, the Chevy's dash is made from scratch out of metal with a candied center console down the middle that also wraps around the sides. The car has already turned heads at the Las Vegas Super Show in 2010; the SEMA convention, the LA Convention Center Show, and the Pomona Roadster Show, where it took home a second place trophy. While there were times that the four-year odyssey frustrated the Lifestyle Car Club Member, Jose kept pushing forward. "Just putting the front end on, with the bumper and grill and seeing the car come together, it was exciting," says Jose with a grin. "It was that moment I never thought would finally happen." Jose sends his thanks to his mom, who helped him to get the loans he needed to fund the car, as well as Adrian Chavez, who wired the whole car and assisted Jose with all of his electrical needs. He also thanks George, from Candy Factory, for putting up with the long hours in the last four months of the build to meet the Vegas deadline, John Monster and Albert for hard lining and performing the hydraulic set up install, Luis '64 for helping him with the engine, and all of his fellow Lifestyle members who supported the build.
Tech Specs
Owner: Jose Alvarez, Jr.
Nickname: Fatal Attraction
Make/Model: 1972 Chevy Monte Carlo
Car Club: Lifestyle CC
Location: Oxnard, CA
Paint: Juan, out at Show Status Customs in Santa Paula, CA prepped the body work and patterned the Monte. Danny D striped and leafed the Monte.
Interior: California Upholstery in Bell CA, draped the car in suede and vinyl. The car was also given a custom dash with a center console which was also candied.
Engine: TPI Engine, dressed in Billet Specialties, Trigen Performance, EMF hood hinges, all chrome work added by Jose Alvarez, Jr.
ICE: Pioneer in-dash powering Infinity 6x9 and 6 1/2s
Suspension: Prohopper Whammy set up, hardlined, with extended and fully molded A-arms and trailing arms fully molded by Jerry Lamm and Bobby from Noobles
Wheels/Tires: 72 spoke Daytons on OG 5.20 Premium Sportways