Reality Car Club member Carlos Herrera, aka "Papa-Los," is the proud owner of a 1956 Chevy Bel Air four-door sedan. Carlos' friend Steve Hallot had the Bel-Air sitting in his driveway, and even though the car was old, dirty, dented and rusted, Carlos could still see the beauty and potential in it. After talking Steve into selling him the car, Carlos brought it home. Needless to say, Carlos' wife Diane was not happy to see the eyesore that her husband had not only parked in their driveway, but had apparently paid good money for as well. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and Carlos remained true to the potential of what he had envisioned the car would look like when it was finished. Carlos and his daughter, Janeece, went to work immediately, taking the whole car apart. Carlos and his friend, Robert Pineda, then pulled the motor out so that it could be completely rebuilt. When the motor was ready, Carlos picked it up after work, and had it back in the car and running by midnight. Much to his delight, the project was moving along quickly. After Carlos and his son David prepped the body, Carlos' friend Mel Hernandez painted the car in a matter of hours. Carlos' initially skeptical wife Diane could see the hard work Carlos had put into the car, and was not only proud of him, she was also very happy to see the once-rough car turn into Carlos' dream car.
Although the club has no plans on building a "Lowrider of the Year" contender, it does not mean that they do not have the types of show cars that can live up to that same level of quality while up on the jack stands. A force to be reckoned with, Reality has intricately built custom cars that have full chrome and detailed undercarriages, as well as fully restored original classics. The club remains true to the Lowrider lifestyle as they maintain that regardless of how much work and money has gone into building the cars, they are all still heavily street driven. Reality travels all around the Southern California area, and on occasion to Northern California as well to attend car shows and club picnics.
Thanks to the longevity that the club has enjoyed, the next generation of the club has already been introduced to Lowriding. Club members' children and grandchildren have been part of the club since birth, and are now at an age where they are ready to add the Reality plaque to their own rides. The success of the club can also be credited to the support of the members' families. Without the support of their families, it's clear that the club would not be where it is today. Family members lend a helping hand in many ways, such as helping to set up and clean the cars at shows, or cheering as loudly as possible when a club car wins a trophy. As is the case with other clubs that have been profiled in the magazine, the members of Reality credit their families for their individual success, as well as the success of the club.
The club's outlook for the future is bright, as they hope to find fellow Lowriding enthusiasts that can add to the success of the club by bringing in good quality rides and a positive attitude into the tradition that has served the participating members for the past three decades. Many friendships have been born as a result of the club, and the club hopes that the next 30 years will bring new friendships, new rides and a positive image for the Lowriding culture that they love. Given the success of the first 30 years, it will be no problem for Reality Car Club to continue to contribute to the positive image and longevity of the Lowrider Culture. Ride on, Reality!