Page 17 - San Diego Woman Magazine

LOWRIDERS Model: Christina Aguirre

Article and photos by Maggie Ramos

What are lowriders? “A cool pose with cars as the bow placed
car in which I can go cruising on top of a present. They accentu-
with friends, or just my love and I.” ate the wonder and joy that “Miss
These cars come in brilliant bright Jackson” (a 1974 Chevrolet Monte
colors or in a nice deep shiny black Carlo) gives him – a name he bor-
or navy blue. They are a hobby to rowed from the famed singer and
some, and while others may be- dancer he admired in his youth.
lieve lowriders are gang related, “It’s just like the icing on the cake,”
this is not what I have learned Covarrubias adds. His pride is not
after talking to some lowrider car limited to his car. He is a fulltime
owners. In fact, for many, it is a firefighter and educator. He holds
custom. It is a culture of its own. as much pride for these things
As with any culture, it can become as he does for his family and his
a handful, but the handful can community. Lowriding is like a
be a reflection of who these indi- brotherhood. “Those that are part
viduals are. Everything it takes to of the culture are an extension of
own a car that can bounce, lower my family, just as my fellow fire-
itself with the touch of a switch, or fighters have become like family
even appear to dance to the beat too.”
of an oldie melody as they cruise “Dreaming Casually,” a 1983
the boulevard or the beach. These Buick Regal, is owned by Genaro
vehicles show off as they deserve Suarez, who currently works as a
to be seen, heard, and respect- maintenance technician. He ex-
ed. They shine from bumper to plained that he grew up around
bumper and from the roof, down the lowriding community and
to the rims, without missing a with a family who was actively
spot. They are a labor of love and involved in the customs and prac-
pride. tices of this culture. For Suarez,
This is how Ismael Mendez he gains satisfaction when the
describes the pride he has in own- younger ones look up to him with
ing “Myth,” his dazzling red 1987 hope and faith that one day they
Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS. Men- will be the ones representing the
dez grew up falling in love with lowrider culture. His children are
these cars. He learned about it proud of him for accomplishing
from his older brother, and as he his dream and goal of owning his
grew older, the desire to one day own lowrider. For him, “Dreaming
own or build one just grew along Causally” is a work in progress that
with him. Mendez explained keeps him motivated to try and
that some of the lowriders are discover new things with his car.
built from scratch (starting with On this day, Christina Aguirre
the shell of a car) and some are was the icing on the cake or the
transformed little by little, as their bow on these three packages.
budgets allow. Mendez serves his She graciously volunteered for
community working at an auto this photo shoot, reflecting on
parts store and assisting with or her experience modeling years
coordinating charitable events, ago. She loves to represent the
when possible. His partner, Dr. lowrider community, aspiring to Photo by Elfego Covarrubias
Elizabeth Ramos, shares the pride someday have a lowrider of her
and satisfaction of displaying own. She demonstrates her pride time. She also enjoys serving her mael, Elfego, Genero, and Chris-
“Myth” in festivals, parades, and in this culture and in the hard community, participating in local tina help demonstrate the values
various community events. work that it takes to build and events and fundraisers. If she can- and virtues that continue to keep
I also met the owners of “Miss maintain these cars by attending not be present, she gets the word this culture alive. As with most, it
Jackson” and “Dreaming Casual- local events and promoting her out through social media and has evolved over the years and is
ly.” The first is owned by Elfego friends’ accomplishments. Agu- word of mouth. now considered a family-oriented
Covarrubias who embraces the irre works for FedEx and spends The lowrider culture is not go- practice that invites everyone to
culture of lowriding. He also clar- her nights ensuring that we all ing away. It’s legacy spans nearly participate or simply appreciate
ified that he sees the models that get our packages delivered on 80 years and individuals like Is- the marvels of these dancing cars.
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