Photo by Brent E. Beltran
San Diego Car Clubs Celebrate Culture, Family and Friends
I’ve never been a car guy. Never owned my own ride. Never really had an interest. I only recently got my license a couple year’s ago at 40 years old. And that is because my son was going to be born and I needed to be able to drive my wife to the hospital when he was ready to pop out.
One thing I’ve respected though is the lowrider car and the lowriders themselves. Seeing them cruise the calles in their firme rides. Low and slow. Gliding along the street as though riding on air. The lower the better. When a fine carrucha makes it’s way through the barrio heads turn. Life pauses for a few seconds as everyone stops to look and admire the works of art on four wheels.
Chicanos were the first lowriders. They put their time, effort and hard earned dollars into making their cars shine like stars. During the early 90’s other cultures jumped on the lowrider bandwagon and started tricking out their rides like Chicanos. They wanted to be cool too. Wanted people to admire them as they drove up and down their respective neighborhoods.
Some lowriders restore their ranflas to original condition. Others customize their rides by adding hydraulics which can make the cars bounce up and down on two wheels or tilt from side to side by flicking switches inside. Some prefer old style cars from the ’30’s, ’40s and ’50’s. Others are down for the ’64 Impala, the standard of the lowrider set. Many go for something “newer” like the Buick Regal. But no matter the preference they all want their rides to look as smooth as possible.
Every New Year’s Day the Oldies Car Club organizes a menudo breakfast for San Diego’s car clubs at Chicano Park. Numerous clubs from throughout the region show up and show off their lowriders. Some of the car clubs that attended this year were Oldies, Viejitos, Pachuco, Klique, Veteranos, Imperials, Life and others. There were at least 60 firme rides of various makes, models and styles throughout Chicano Park on this first day of 2013.
Photo by Brent E. Beltran
One of those was Rene Acevedo’s beautiful ’47 Fleetmaster convertible. Rene is a member of the Viejitos Car Club. The Fleetmaster is the second lowrider that he’s owned. The first was a 1941 Chevy sedan delivery. His dad started Viejitos and he’s been involved in the car club culture his whole life.
“My mom says my dad took her to the hospital in a ’64 convertible to have me. Amazingly, I was born into this. Second generation.”
He says the best part of events like this is family and friends.
“The car eventually becomes part of the family. It sounds kind of cliché. Cruising with the family. My dads involved in it. The guys from the car club we all know each other fifteen plus years. We baptize each other kids. We go to everybody’s family functions. It’s all family. Basically that’s what this lowrider thing is about. Just family.”
Lowriding ain’t just an American Chicano thing anymore. The car club culture has gone international.
“We got fifty two chapters worldwide. We got chapters in Japan. We got chapters in Australia. Chicano Park Day last year we had 58 Viejitos cars here. They just love coming because it’s all culture here. It’s your culture. It’s your history. We’ve had the Japanese come out here. Especially for Chicano Park Day. They want to be a part of the event celebrating the birth of the park. It’s beautiful man. There’s no other park like it.”
Lowriders have been a part of Chicano Park for decades. There’s even a mural dedicated to the various car clubs of San Diego. Every Chicano Park Day the Amigos Car Club organizes a lowrider car show to go with the festivities. Lowriders from throughout California and the southwest come to this annual event to show off their customized rides to the thousands of people in attendance.
Photo by Brent E. Beltran
Lowriding used to carry the stigma of being affiliated with gangs and violence. That stereotype doesn’t hold water anymore. Lowrider cars are an art form. And lowriding is a lifestyle. Though started by Chicanos it has transcended Chicanismo and has become a worldwide phenomenon.
Though I’ve never been a car guy I have a tremendous amount of respect for the work that goes into building, keeping and maintaining a lowrider and the lifestyle that goes with it. It’s about culture, family and friends. So when you see a firme ranfla cruising by stop, look and admire the artistry and the hard work that goes into making beauty on four wheels.
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Photo by Brent E. Beltran
Brent E. Beltrán
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Fabulous photos Brent. One of the best parts of Chicano Park Day is seeing the long line of beautiful lowriders. A few years ago I talked to some women lowrider owners. Yessss! Getting an invitation to ride in a firme ranfla is on my bucket list.
Thanks, Anna. The cars are truly works of art. Women are starting to become more involved in the lowrider subculture. There’s even a local women’s only club.
Well I remember way back when car clubs were Brown Image, we would cruise balboa park on Sundays. Does anyone remember when Chicano’s were once called S A.’s?and we all got along with each other! We also hung out at S.A. park! I remember this was the beginning of all Chicano’s!
Some Chicanos still call each other eses. Like: what’s up, ese? It’s commonly, but not solely, used amongst gang members and wannabes.
right on viva la raza
Thanks, Rosie! PMP!
You shoulda written this piece BEFORE New Year’s Day, so Anglos could partake.
That cherry red ride is gorgeous. Where are the flames and the virgenes and the roses? How did I miss lowriders in Balboa Park on Sundays? Was that before 1970?
If I did that then I wouldn’t have been able to take pictures. Plus, I forgot it was taking place until I drove out of my apartment which is adjacent to the park.
Great article Brent, you couldn’t have put it better …culture ,family,and friends,that’s what is all about. It was a pleasure meeting you.
Glad you read and liked my piece. Thank you for the interview. It was cool talking to you. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of your ride!
Brent this is a very well written article. The pictures are awesome as well thanks for posting about our low riding community. These clubs also do a lot year round from memorial fund raisers to backpack and toy drives. I believe articles such as this should be shared more often. Gracias…. -Cisco
Thanks, Cisco. I’m glad you liked the article. I’m trying to show through my Desde la Logan column the positive things that happen within Logan. There are too many negative stereotypes out there. Keep me informed if you know of other positive stories. Hit me up at DesdeLaLogan@gmail.com.
Good article I like to hear about all low rider history in so-cal.Im from the L.A.area and Im a second generation low rider,me and some of the fellas are going to start a car club!The name I want to go with is a powerful name with lots of respect and meaning-”Brown Image” I know this was a club way back in the day in S.D. if you know any history on them can you let me know. There was another club in el paso running the name but they havent been active since ’82, any info would be helpful you can email me,thanks!
Hey Robert my name is Nick, I was reading about you wanting to start a club called Brown Image, that is firme, myself and a couple buddies want to start a group called Brown Image, we have bombas but don’t want to be considered a car club,but want to be known as a group of buddies, family and friends, who get together for picnics, cruising, ect…I don’t know if you are familiar with Montebello Park but we would like to meet you and talk, please give me a call (five six two) seven zero eight – nine six seven eight
hi bro, i was a member of Baja Kings Car/Social club in LOGANback in 70/80. I had great time organizing dances for the young brothers and sisters then, i will always remember does days. I turn still young 65 today; june 4. Hope you stay involved. ……..
reply open, bro…….