Inspiration is a rare commodity in our society these days. Even rarer are the times when that inspiration actually forces action, and even rarer still are the moments when that action transforms into a destiny. These are the instances when we say that a person has come "full circle." Everything they have experienced in life has in turn come back to them, almost as if it was all part of a bigger plan to shape their ultimate reason for living. For some of us, our Lowrider passion for cars is just that; a passion. For Old Memories Denver Chapter President Fred Perez of Brighton, Colorado, the Lowrider Culture has truly engulfed his lifestyle and shaped the visionary man he has ultimately become. His Chicano heritage and life lessons he has learned throughout his career in Lowriding have propelled him to become the most precious of all resources for his community: a teacher.inline_mediumwraptextright30960189/features/0912_lrmp_fred_perez_old_memories_car_clublrmp_0912_02+fred_perez_old_memories_car_club+fred_and_kids.jpgTrue

Some of the rides we feature in our magazine come together quickly, almost as if fate has pre-destined them to become an integral part of a successful project. However, those rides are usually the exception. The majority of Lowrider featured cars exemplify years of blood, sweat, and tears, as well as thousands of dollars spent in the pursuit of rare parts, engines, and paintjobs to achieve automotive perfection. This '62 Impala clearly represents the latter, and shows that perfection usually comes with a price. Jose Garcia of Hesperia, California, has invested five years and close to forty thousand dollars into this eye-popping 1962 Impala Super Sport, which proudly flies the Pride Car Club plaque in the back window. This ride has become an icon in the "Hi-Desert" area of Southern California where Jose resides, and it is definitely taking the competition by storm!

Many of our readers share a common dream; to one day see their own Lowrider gracing the pages of Lowrider Magazine. That dream is by no means impossible, we have had many reader submissions make the cut over the years, and we pride ourselves in being the most interactive barometer of what's hot within our beloved classic car culture. Naturally, when we contacted Emilio Gonzalez about featuring his Impala Wagon, he was all for it. We set up a time and place with him to shoot the car for his very own Lowrider spread, much to the delight of Emilio, who was unaware that his car had even caught our attention. A true family man, Emilio spent the day before the shoot preparing the vehicle by having his kids help him wash it, wax it and polish its chrome. On the day of the shoot, we teamed up with him at the location to set up the car for its debut photos, meticulously searching for the best angles of the wagon. A proud Emilio looked on, and after the shoot we sat down with him to learn more about his life as a Lowrider.inline_mediumwraptextright25463270/features/0912_lrmp_1964_chevrolet_impala_wagonlrmp_0912_01+1964_chevrolet_impala_wagon+front_left.jpgTrue

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Our wonderful Lowrider culture is truly diverse in nature. The love for candy, chrome, and customization unites us all, speaking a universal language to enthusiasts from all walks of life, and all parts of the globe. Take the story of this month's cover car owner, for example. Even though he lives in an area primarily known for its sun and surf, Oahu's own Wilson Montemayor is keeping Lowrider tradition alive and well, bringing us this impeccable 1963 Chevy Impala. Somebody once told us that lowriding was dead in Hawaii, but if Wilson's '63 Chevy is any indication of the Aloha State's building prowess, boy were they wrong. In fact, Hawaiians have been active in lowriding for many years, diligently putting in work on countless vehicles just like their mainland counterparts. For those skeptics out there who still question the authenticity of the Lowrider lifestyle found in Hawaii, just remember that "cruise" in Hawaiian slang means "to relax and hang out," so while they talk the talk, they also walk the walk when it comes to hitting the boulevard. Let's take a trip with Wilson Montemayor in his 1963 Chevy Impala convertible, as he pops the hood to show us how this beautiful classic came together.

After moving the shop a few times over the years, the shop now resides in South Gate, California. The shop focuses on a variety of work; they work on lowriders, do complete car restorations, frame off builds, custom fiberglass interiors and trunks, body modifications, hydraulics, motorcycles and of course they also build lowrider bikes. With the new generation of DUB style cars, they do plenty of work on SUVs and Chrysler 300Cs. The shop is known for their candy paint jobs, and excellent body prep that is done by Javier's mother. Javier's work on customers' cars has received awards and recognition on the show circuit and also has garnished quite a bit of media coverage. His client base includes celebrities, corporate customers, and traditional Lowrider enthusiasts. The shop maintains a rigorous schedule and is able to complete about 200 jobs a year.

American cars manufactured during the '30s, '40s, and '50s are known as "Bombs" throughout the lexicon of the Lowrider movement. Representing the styles and days of the early Pachuco movement for some enthusiasts, Bombs recall a simpler time in American automobile design, when style and comfort were the top priority. These cars were simply made to cruise. Thanks to their classic design, Bombs remain an extremely popular segment of the culture today, and one that will always be appreciated. In fact, entire Car clubs, Internet web sites and message boards are devoted to these American beauties, but their legacy doesn't stop there. These timeless classics are not only popular in lowriding; they are a vital part of the American classic automobile culture as a whole.

Growing up in the North Hollywood suburbs affectionately known as "the Valley" or "the 818" to Los Angeles residents, Curtis "Bigg Cook" Corley was forced to take an alternate route into the Lowrider culture. In fact, it took a fateful journey to the Crenshaw district with his father, in order for Curtis to begin his love affair with lowriders. Curtis and his father came to visit their cousin who lived just blocks from the legendary strip, giving Curtis firsthand access to these mighty machines, something he was unable to achieve in his own neighborhood. Curtis' first visit to a Lowrider Car Show came when he was just 9 years old, as the young boy begged his father to take him to see the machines that he couldn't stop talking about since he first witnessed them cruising near his cousins' house. Though he was so young, Curtis still remembers the euphoria he felt when he first walked into the parking lot and was quickly surrounded by candy and flake paint jobs and freshly chromed-out car parts. As he walked through the show, he noticed a few cars that he remembered seeing down on Crenshaw, giving him the insight that maybe the hobby known as "lowriding" was not merely a hobby at all, but actually a way of life. Like any young man, Curtis was most interested in the attention that was given to car owners by the local models and girls that attended the car shows.

Owner Victor Jimenez
Vehicle
"Bona fide" Hopper
'87 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Anyone can put together a Cadillac Fleetwood Classic, refined, and elegant, the car itself speaks volumes, even as a stock model rolling off the assembly line. It takes a truly creative individual to create a certain personality for this luxury vehicle, and such is the case for 36-year old David "Martian" Holtzman. When he purchased his 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood from a friend, the sole purpose was to use it as a daily driver that would help him get to and from his job. As a Vice President of a drywall and metal framing company in North Miami Beach, Florida, he needed a car that was both reliable and comfortable. That goal was quickly forgotten, and true to his nickname, Martian created "it's an ... ODD World."

You are a product of your environment. We've all heard this statement echoed again and again by our teachers, counselors, elders, and history books. For a chosen few, this is a blessing, a sure-fire ticket to a happy and productive life; for others, it's more of a curse, a black cloud that seems inescapable and dictates an inevitable struggle down the difficult road of life. The latter version applies best to Jose "Pepe" Amaya, the 10th child of 12 brothers and sisters, born and raised in the poverty stricken barrio of Mongolia, located inside the southern streets of Houston, Texas. Although life gave Pepe lemons, he has since turned them into sweet lemonade, thanks to his own sense of faith, resolve, and determination. He has overcome the most incredible of obstacles, channeling his pain into positivity, although it hasn't been an easy path along the way.inline_mediumwraptextright25456082/features/0911_lrmp_jose_pepe_amayalrmp_0911_01+jose_pepe_amaya+old_annoucement.jpgTrue

Joe Guzman of Anaheim, California, is a longtime member of the Orange County chapter of Klique Car Club. A perfect match for Klique's notoriously high standards, Joe recently unveiled this clean green '62 Impala Super Sport, appropriately nicknamed "Mystic." Having been in the scene for several years, Joe considers the '62 Impala model year a personal favorite, and he certainly put his foot into this one. From top to bottom, inside and out, this ride is nothing less than a show-stopping, eye-popping, low cruising machine! Even the engine and undercarriage sport chrome luster, thanks to the work of car club president, Pete Tapia, of Anaheim Plating & Polishing.inline_mediumwraptextrightModel: Jazmin Siguenza (a.k.a. La Flora Venenosa)
lafloravenenosa.com30851769/features/0911_lrmp_1962_chevrolet_impala_sslrmp_0911_01+1962_chevrolet_impala_ss+jazmine.jpgTrue

Nomad's Land
Owner: Joey Jimenez
Vehicle: 1956 Chevrolet Nomad
City/State: Alta Loma, California
Club: Premier CC Los Angeles
Paint: Two-stage PPG plum and pearl white sprayed by L Durans' Body Shop-Azusa, CA.
Engine: 1980 Chevrolet 400 small block
Setup: Two Aluminum pumps powered by four batteries installed by Big Frank
Tires: Premium Sportway 5.20
Wheels: 14x7, 72-spoke all chrome Daytons
inline_mediumwraptextrightModel: Carla Classic
Makeup: Kim Bui30852762/features/0911_lrmp_1956_chevrolet_nomadlrmp_0911_01+1956_chevrolet_nomad+carla_classic.jpgTrue

Some longtime Lowrider Magazine readers may recognize the name of Albert Contreras as the helpful California trooper who used to write the "Within the Law" articles in various issues of the magazine about five years ago. Albert would inform readers about certain laws of the roadway, particularly those that related to lowriding. At that time, Albert had acquired a 1975 Caprice convertible known as "Lawful Desire." This ragtop was in dire need of some TLC and desperately needed a new top, new interior, new paintjob, and just about anything else new that one could imagine on a 34-year-old car!inline_mediumwraptextright26637724/features/0911_lrmp_1975_chevrolet_capricelrmp_0911_01+1975_chevrolet_caprice+right.jpgTrue

Do you remember your first time in a Lowrider? Avid builder and enthusiast John Black does, and he remembers it quite vividly. A native of Pico Rivera, California, John's first foray into the culture came to him when he was just fourteen years old. Young men at this age are known to be curious and adventuresome, and John and his friend were no exception. One afternoon, his friend took his older brother's car joyriding, with an impressionable young John riding shotgun. Remembering the experience as if it had just happened recently, John shines when describing the 1949 Chevy Fleetline that took his breath away that fateful day. After all, the Chevy had custom paint, hydraulics, and Astro Supremes, and the rest, as they say, is history. After just one ride in the Fleetline, John was hooked, and looked forward to one day getting a Lowrider of his own.inline_mediumwraptextright25404572/features/0911_lrmp_1968_buick_rivieralrmp_0911_01+1968_buick_riviera+right.jpgTrue

Sometimes two worlds collide to provide the inspiration for the perfect Lowrider. Such is the case for Salt Lake City's Matt Smith, who used his two-city upbringing as the motivation for creating his masterpiece, a 1961 Impala that perfectly encompasses his dual-city background. Matt was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, but at 14, his family packed their bags for Las Vegas, NV, where Matt attended Bonanza High School. Matt's high school buddy, Travis, was a key figure in his Lowrider influence, as he took Matt to school in his pristine Buick Regal. The Regal had Matt hooked, especially on the one fateful day that Travis picked him up after installing a new hydraulic system. Travis hit the switch and Matt was forever intoxicated with the culture that he would soon immerse himself into. Matt was so intrigued by the hydraulics that he did some research and discovered a local store named Fat Boy Hydraulics, which held a reputation for installing the baddest systems in Las Vegas. Matt campaigned heavily to get a job at the shop, and was ultimately successful, earning the chance to work alongside his friend Nick, as the two learned everything there was to know about installing the perfect hydraulic system. At the age of 22, Matt moved back to Salt Lake City, where his Lowriding career continued.inline_mediumwraptextright31157604/features/1001_lrmp_1961_chevrolet_impala_convertiblelrmp_1001_02_o+1961_chevrolet_impala_convertible+front.jpgTrue

Every Lowrider community has that one man that seems to have owned cars forever, and holds the neighborhood standard for cruising and developing the perfect lowrider. Rick Ortega was that chosen figure within his home community of Atwater Village, CA. All the youngsters in the neighborhood would gaze in awe at Rick's machines, especially when he would hit the switches, making his machines dance with the perfect boulevard two-step. Rick, who now lives in the city of Covina, California, has owned a few cars in his lifetime, including his signature car "Aladdin." This '64 Impala set the bar for detail and craftsmanship on the scene back in the mid 90's, making Rick a household name within the community.inline_mediumwraptextrightModel
Samantha Whitfield
Makeup by Val@iconimage.com27061174/features/1001_lrmp_1984_cadillac_coupe_deville1001_lrmp_01_o+1984_cadillac_coupe_deville+model.jpgTrue

Growing up in the heart of Compton during the '70s and '80s was not an easy task. For many, it served as an environment fraught with guns, drugs, and gang violence. Fortunately for Dee, the city immortalized by gritty hip-hop records during rap's golden age provided much more than that. The notorious city served as a backdrop for Dee's introduction into the positive world of the Lowrider Movement. Surrounded by lowriders from an early age, Dee recalls a particularly influential '57 ragtop that belonged to Droopy from the storied MafiaIVLife Car Club. He remembers the car being a fern green color with subtle tape shades, a bit different from the popular colors at the time. Dee says the car was well-known from its numerous appearances on the streets of the neighborhood as well as the many nights it spent on the legendary Crenshaw Blvd. This notable '57 even appeared on the cover of rapper Mack 10's album "Based on a True Story."inline_mediumwraptextrightModel: Natalin Avci
Makeup by Val@iconimage.com
Booking by Icon Models/Valentino Management26697832/features/0912_lrmp_1957_chevrolet_bel_air_convertiblelrmp_0912_01+1957_chevrolet_bel_air_convertible+natalin_avci.jpgTrue

Whether they take years, months, or in this case, days, some masterpieces are just meant to be. When Eugene Proctor of Lake View Terrace, CA bought this 1964 Impala, he knew this car had the potential to become a show stopping work of art. Using his eagle eye, Eugene spotted the car on a country farm and rescued it immediately. He purchased the Chevy, and ultimately planned to make it his own masterpiece. After about four years of conceptualizing the car's eventual look, Eugene bought all the necessary parts, and with the help of Vernon "V-Max" Maxwell, this masterpiece came together in just 26 days!

Among today's Lowrider enthusiasts, the love of all things classic remains the one common thread that binds us all together. Although most Lowriders respect and even revere all makes and models regardless of year, there is a select breed among us that only collects and restores cars made during the period between the early 1930's and mid-1950's. These are the "Bomb" enthusiasts, and they are a lifestyle within a lifestyle inside our culture. Jimmy Gustamantes Jr. is one of these rare collectors, and his passion for Bombs has certainly come to life with this exquisite 1936 Packard 120 Right Hand Drive.inline_mediumwraptextright25466948/features/0912_lrmp_1936_packard_120_right_hand_drive_flatheadlrmp_0912_01+1936_packard_120_right_hand_drive+front_left.jpgTrue

When young people learn to work hard and do the best they can in life, often times rewards for their hard work are soon to follow. In the case of 17-year old car enthusiast Mark Alcala Jr., that reward came in the form of his very own fully customized Lowrider car. By keeping his grades up and being an all around good kid, Mark was awarded a tricked-out, 1971 Monte Carlo, built especially for him by his generous father. Mark Alcala Sr. decided to use his experiences with his brother, Emilio Alcala, and his close friend Jeff Rogers, in their early days as the original members of the Traffic Car Club as the inspiration for what would become the best present a 17-year old Lowrider enthusiast could ever receive. The elder Alcala Sr. remembered what it was like in 1974, as he and his fellow car club members cruised Hollywood and Whittier Boulevards, and wanted to give his own son a taste of what that experience was like. Using Emilio's 1970 Baby Blue Impala, and Jeff's moss green '71 Monte Carlo as his templates, he decided to make his son, Mark Jr. a custom car that featured the best aspects of these now classic rides.inline_mediumwraptextright30933882/features/0912_lrmp_1971_chevrolet_monte_carlolrmp_0912_01+1971_chevrolet_monte_carlo+mark_alcala_jr.jpgTrue