The Bachelors also made their mark on the innovation side of the culture as well. A tight-knit group of local historical builders ruled the '60s and '70s, forming a circle of artisans, mechanics, and automotive gurus that comprised the very backbone of what we consider classic styling today. Painters and creators like Bill Hines of Lynwood and Steve Heard of Huntington Park, Hydraulic Inventive's Fernando Ruelas of LA, Grillo's Iron Works of El Monte, as well as Bachelors LTD's very own Richard "Gumby" Rodriguez performed unheard feats of bodywork, while interiors commonly went to Frank Rodella of Norwalk.

Power-assisted accessories on automobiles were first introduced to consumers in the 1930's. The ability to move convertible tops up and down by means other than human efforts was initially conceptualized and developed by the Chrysler Corporation. A vacuum-operated convertible top on the Plymouth brand was the first to be offered to the general public. Power windows were the next power assisted accessories to hit the market, and were introduced shortly thereafter in the 1940s. The idea behind power accessories was strictly practical in nature, allowing consumers to operate their vehicles with minimal time and physical effort. It was easier and less time consuming to flip a switch and raise your windows, lower your convertible top and adjust your door mirrors, thus providing a potentially safer car to operate while on the road. For many, an obsession with automobile power accessories is a major factor on their choice of vehicle.inline_mediumwraptextright30959268/hotnews/0912_lrmp_terry_anderson_power_window_masterlrmp_0912_01+terry_anderson_power_window_master+photo_album.jpgTrue

As I flip through the three hundred plus channels on my cable T.V., I pause on every other channel, giving that 10 seconds of attention to whatever show I come across. A constant barrage of realty this reality that, sporting events, talk shows, and me in the middle, trying to avoid my son catching a glimpse of that sponge dude that lives in a pineapple. Is it me, or is he on all day? While at least that show is positive, it seems like the more we watch, the more negativity we encounter, and it's not just the reality shows which now seem to outnumber the regular programming. It's also on the news channels, which usually focus on war, bombings, and death, leaving us all to watch a cascade of violence that covers the world over. Watching the fighting in countries on the other side of the world, it's evident that we are willing to sacrifice thousands of American lives and spend billions of dollars in support of external conflicts, and in doing so, we sometimes forget about our own problems here at home. The introspection, and individual moxie it takes to solve our domestic problems seems to have faded in our selfish, "me first" culture. There is one person however, that is motivated by the concern for our domestic problems, a person willing to walk the walk while he's talking the talk. That person is Danny "Boxer" Gullart, and he is committed to helping his community by reaching out to those in need of a helping hand and guidance.inline_mediumwraptextright30938763/hotnews/0912_lrmp_danny_boxer_gullart_and_lawrance_steven_boo_garcialrmp_0912_04+danny_boxer_gullart_and_lawrance_steven_boo_garcia+danny_boxer_gullart.jpgTrue

"Oldies" music remains as timeless as it is influential, and the songs from decades past have probably struck a chord with people from all modern walks of life, especially those involved in the Lowrider culture. In the "Lowrider Greatest Hits" section, we showcase Thee Midnighters as our headlining act, along with Chris Montes and Cannibal and the Headhunters to round out a trinity of classic, musically significant groups. These groups were the early pioneers that established the beats of the different drums our culture is accustomed to marching to, or should I say, riding to. I believe that to know music is to love all music, however, I think you can compare Thee Midnighters' oldie "It Will Never Be Over for Me" to any of the great top 10 songs of all time! For those that beg to differ, ask any and all of the Lowrider guys out there, and I'm sure they will second my opinion by answering you with a big "ooooohhhhh!"inline_mediumwraptextrightOne nation on the Ground!26738551/hotnews/0912_lrmp_tough_economic_timeslrmp_0912_02_+tough_economic_times+57_bel_air.jpgTrue

Portable GPS technology has emerged as one of the most useful advances in the personal accessory arena, and has seen a significant growth within the last few years. The first generation units pale in comparison to today's highly advanced and much more affordable products. Often times the old units had poor signal strength, forcing users to rely on local methods of navigation, rendering the GPS system almost useless. Another common gripe among users of the first generation products was the lack of updated maps or non-labeled construction areas, leaving those relying on the GPS systems stranded and frustrated. Today's GPS market is very competitive, with many companies offering great GPS systems at affordable prices. When it comes to picking the best GPS product for your money, Clarion's ClarionMiND stands head and shoulders above the rest, and it carries the best possible price for the consumer.inline_mediumwraptextright26732344/hotnews/0912_lrmp_clarion_clarionmind_gps_systemlrmp_0912_02+clarion_clarionmind_gps_system+hood.jpgTrue

During the time we spent with him, Doug constantly reminded us that the club is held together by the fabric of club unity, community, and family. Since taking the reins, Doug stresses his view of quality-over-quantity when it comes to membership in New Style. His goal is not that they are the biggest club they can be, but rather that they are the best, and he believes that having truly dedicated members is the only way to achieve that goal. Once a month in the basement of his house, the club meets in the entertainment room to discuss the club's latest and greatest activities. Often they decide where family get-togethers will take place, and plan family oriented activities like BBQ's, club bowling, and trips to the zoo.

Going back to our roots as promised, this month's installment of Lowrider's Greatest Hits pays homage to Latin rock pioneers El Chicano. This groundbreaking group formed in East Los Angeles in the late 1960s, and featured a five-member line-up, made up of some incredibly talented musicians. Original members Bobby Espinosa, Freddie Sanchez, Mickey Lespron, Andre Baeza, and John De Luna, fancied themselves as "The V.I.P.s" before ultimately defining themselves as El Chicano in 1970. Using their own distinct blend of rock, jazz, soul, funk, blues, and Afro-Cuban salsa, El Chicano is a band that cannot be labeled or categorized; they are a group who simply make great music. First making their niche in Los Angeles, the group played such legendary Eastside venues as the Montebello Ballroom, The Boulevard Theater, Kennedy Hall, and The Big and Little Union Halls, before receiving recognition on the national stage.

The word Chicano is sometimes perceived as a controversial word. Some feel that it now has a bit of a derogatory meaning, but it was initially used as a non-confrontational way of referring to Mexican-Americans during the '40s, '50s, and '60s. One band actually embraced the word, and El Chicano was born. A band that originally took the stage name the "VIP's" in the late 1960's, El Chicano would eventually make a name for themselves with their own trademark "brown-eyed soul." They were a Latin R&B/Brown Soul Band from East Los Angeles, whose sound reflected the vibe of what it was like to live in East Los during the early 1970s. Like some sort of a time warp, their music was, and can still be heard from any family den, outdoor patio, or Mexican restaurant with a Juke box inside. Some of their most well known songs include "Brown-Eyed Girl," "Tell Her She's Lovely," and "Viva Tirado," a remake of a jazz song by Gerald Wilson in homage to a bullfighter in Mexico by the name of Jose Ramon Tirado. There is no other song that can better represent our cultural allegiance like "Sabor A Mi," with its aching, verse-by- verse, microphone-don't-lie-vocal stylings of Ersi Arvizu. The Brown Sounds of El Chicano echo culture and traditions of celebration, good times, and of course the laid back Lowrider revolución and experience.inline_mediumwraptextright30926841/hotnews/0911_lrmp_lowriders_law_enforcementlrmp_0911_01+lowriders_getting_pulled_over+no_cruising.jpgTrue

The Uncertain Future of Lowriding's Infamous Strip
An odd calm has come over this once bustling, six-lane, divided boulevard. For a large, main street in the heart of South Los Angeles, it's actually almost quiet. "No Cruising" and "No Parking" signs line the curbs, cops on bikes and in patrol cars roll down nearly every block, and Highway Patrol cruisers sit idling in driveways and side streets, ready to pounce. There are almost no lowriders to be found. This is the new Sunday night on Crenshaw Boulevard.

Francisco Javier Gomez, aka "Mexico," was born in a small town on the outskirts of Mexico City. When he was just months old, his family moved to another town named Puebla to start their own auto body shop business. With the business in full swing, Javier spent a lot of time at the shop with his family, so much so that his parents decided to teach him to do the work they were doing. At a very young age, he started to work on the customer's cars in the shop under his parents' careful direction. Javier remembers that he was already working on the cars in the shop as young as five years old! After being in business in Puebla for nine years, Javier and his family relocated to Lynwood, California when Javier was 10 years old to seek a better life.

As the Lowrider culture began to emerge in East Los Angeles, so too did the musical sound that would eventually define this up and coming movement. Filled with cruise nights, social dances, and parties at the park, East Los Angeles became the place to be during this time period. The Zoot Suit era and Pachuco movements were transforming themselves into a new culture now, a culture filled with custom automobiles and positivity, and a culture in desperate need of a new soundtrack that reflected this social change. This culture, now known as Lowriding is indeed our religion, and three historical musical groups make up the early trinity of our musical background. These invaluable contributors to Lowrider culture are: Thee Midniters, Cannibal and the Headhunters, and legendary Latino balladeer Chris Montez. The music from these three camps became the theme music for East Los Angeles, and was heard pouring out of every car, truck, home, and restaurant in the area during the 1950's and 1960's.inline_mediumwraptextright25498514/hotnews/0912_lrmp_thee_midniters_cannibal_and_the_headhunters_and_chris_montezlrmp_0912_01+thee_midniters_cannibal_and_the_headhunters_and_chris_montez+songs_of_love_rhythm_and_psychedelia.jpgTrue

When the Rollerz Only Car Club began over twenty years ago, founder Troy Staehler couldn't have possibly foreseen that he would be holding the reigns to one of the worlds' largest and most influential car clubs. Membership in the Rollerz Only car club has multiplied steadily since the club's inception in 1988, earning the club a dedicated following that has helped to establish chapters all over the world. This club has quickly crossed over to become a worldwide placeholder in automotive sport culture.

The club allows both cars and trucks in the club as long as they are built in the traditional lowrider style. You will see everything from the early Bombs, Big Body Cadillac's, 1950's Chevy trucks, Town Cars and various years of the timeless classic Impala. The club's cars have appeared in music videos and movies throughout the years. Peter Cruz's 1947 Fleetline "El Duran" was featured in the cult classic movie "Mi Vida Loca". One of the latest cars to debut is Joey Hernandez's 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V "Family Jewels". The officers and car committee work to ensure the member's cars are built properly and maintain the image within the club's standards.

Cyberpace is Scrapin' on LowridingTV.com
This is the phase that can be heard on the internet these days on www.LowridingTV.com, a phrase that executive producers Mark Aragon and Rick Mansfield have been working on since 2002 when they began their challenging journey of building and putting up a website that illustrates what they had seen first hand for themselves; the unfiltered real low rider story of hard working, good people who love their families and their culture.

Mighty Lowrider Signs
MightyImage Collectibles along with Lowrider Magazine is pleased to announce the release of the first ever Lowrider Garage Art signs! This series of 7 American made collectible metal signs comes in a variety of designs and sizes and will add that Lowrider touch to any garage! The full line of signs is now available for order at www.pasttimesigns.com or by calling 619-562-5264. Starting at just $21, these vintage-looking signs are the perfect accessories for any garage. For more information contact Greg@Pasttimesigns.com.

Leadership can be defined as the process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task. The definition is perfect for a person in the Lowrider Culture that presides over a club and provides a positive influence to not only their club and the Lowrider Culture but to their community. The Lowrider Hall of Fame 2009 Leadership honoree is Harvey Reyes of Bakersfield's "Carnales Unidos" Car Club.

Icon Lights the Way
A new breed of flashlight has arrived that gives you intense, long-running LED light, unrivaled quality, and modern, rugged bodies that fit the way you live. The lines are flawless thanks to state-of-the-art CNC machines that stylishly sculpt raw aerospace-grade aluminum into works of art. The first two offerings from ICON are the Rogue 1 and Rogue 2 flashlights. They both feature a high-performance LED that produces a smooth beam of light bright enough to blind the person on their cell phone in the movie theater. The sleek aluminum bodies are anodized in brilliant green, silver, or basic black, making them right for any occasion. The battery sleeve is nickel- coated to lower electrical resistance and protect against corrosion and the ergonomic tail cap switch is simple to use. www.myiconlight.com

Anthony Martinez
A Father's Passed-Down Talent and a Lack of Opportunities are Inspirations for one Airbrush and Tattoo ArtistBorn in Central America in the turbulent country of El Salvador, and growing up in the streets of Los Angeles around Santa Monica and Venice areas, Anthony Martinez knows all about struggle. The youngest of 7 children, Anthony moved into a house with his brothers and sisters upon his initial arrival in Los Angeles. Seeking the proverbial better life, he instead found confusion and tough times in the City of Angels in 1980. This was a time when gangs were running rampant, drugs were plentiful, and the city was ripped apart by constant violence. His sister enrolled him in Mount Vernon junior high school which was infested with gang activity, to the point that everywhere he went, he saw and felt the pressures of gang affiliation. "I didn't know anything about it, just thought it was the coolest thing since my family was doing the same thing at home," he recalls. As the months went by, he eventually got to know some of the gang members and started hanging out with them, smoking, and drinking with them, engaging in all of the usual activities these bad influences had bestowed upon him. He was becoming more involved with gangs, and less involved with progress, a choice that would prove very costly to him

The origins of pinstriping can be traced back many different ways throughout history, from everyday items used during the Roman Empire, to more modern uses like lettering on fire trucks, store fronts, and of course, custom car paintjobs. During the 1950's pinstriping on custom cars were made popular by the likes of Von Dutch, Dean Jeffries, and Walt Prey whose intricate techniques and styles have influenced many of today's pinstripers.

The Latino Writer's Lab^TM -- This 10-day intensive program attracts Latina/o film and television writers from around the country. The curriculum advances their screenplays through work on craft, as well as through direct mentoring; the program also introduces writers to agents, managers, producers and funders in order to expand their professional network and further their projects and careers.

According to Caspy, one of the differences about their car club is their ideal of morality; they want to be out there doing things right. They want people to get a good impression of what lowriders are truly all about, and they want to be good role models for their kids as well as the community. In 2005, club members got together to discuss how they could promote their sense of community to the public. They became a non-profit organization and adopted the Capitol Hill District Special Olympics as their main project. Once a year, the Illegal Toys Lowrider Car Club hosts the largest lowrider show in Oklahoma City, donating fifty percent of the proceeds to this project. In addition, the families work together to provide toys for the organization known as Toys for Tots. Thus far, over $5,000 has been donated to the Special Olympics. The rest of the profits stay within the club to provide resources and tools for helping all members achieve their lowrider dream.

"My initial reaction at that time was the need to educate our fellow lowrider enthusiasts in recognizing individual accomplishments for people who spent their lives dedicated to the Lowrider lifestyle and culture. Recognize these individuals on their merits, values, and accomplishments in their specialized arenas of contribution such as the car builders, craftsmen, leaders, and people who directly influenced, contributed and formed what is recognized today as the Lowrider Movement. As Eddie and I discussed further, we later decided to present our concept to LRM Publisher Rudy Rivas. This effort was extremely important to Eddie as well as myself, in not only recognizing our own existence as lowriders, but from a historical perspective to educate the lowrider community in expelling myths, non-truths, and most importantly recognizing these legends for all they did, which allows us to enjoy our very unique love of the American dream. The fact that Lowrider Magazine, for many, is the unofficial document of record for this industry, the lowrider culture though extends many years prior to 1976 when the Pachucos in the 40's wanted to timestamp their own identity which destined us to be who we are today."

In closing, he shares his belief of the benefits and advantages of being involved in car collecting. "You need to educate the next generation and show them how to carry the torch, so to speak," he says. "Invest in an old car, it gets the family closer and creates fond memories. It's a good investment, you'll be amazed to see how much of a small world it is! Cruise nights and family events are great for meeting people & creating new friendships. It's a good thing and cheap entertainment for all, you don't even need a chrome/tricked out show car," Mike says beaming with pride. He suggests to start with what he calls a "starter kit" and grow. If it's not your thing, then sell it, most of the time you even make a profit! Now how safe is that? Money you can drive & enjoy rather than just leaving it in a bank or lending and spending it. Seeing the smile on Mike's face as he professes his love for this game, it sounds like pretty good advice to me.

Last month we brought you the announcement that Castrol Syntec and Lowrider Magazine are joining forces once again. This time around, we are trying to find and build the ultimate car, but we need your help to do it. This year's Castrol's Syntec Top Car Challenge is here and people have already started signing up for the challenge. The Castrol Syntec Top Car Challenge will involve seven selected Source Interlink Media titles, including Lowrider Magazine. The rules are simple, anyone who has a safe and fast lowrider can try out to be the one who will represent the "all show, all go" lowrider.