Mexican-American Lowrider Culture Thrives in New York City
Growing up in Mexico, Marco Flores had a deep admiration for the lowrider cars he saw in magazines and his father’s Chevrolet Chevelle. Now, living in Port Chester, N.Y., Mr. Flores has turned his childhood passion into a successful career, designing and fabricating custom lowriders in his garage.
His electric blue Chevelle, a tribute to his father, has been featured in lowrider magazines, showcasing his talent and dedication to the craft. Family is a central theme in lowrider culture, with many enthusiasts passing down their skills and traditions to their children.
In New York City, the Mexican population has grown, leading to an increase in the visibility of lowriders on the roads and at car shows. Once dismissed as gang-related, lowriders now receive recognition and support local charity events.
Alfonso Gonzales Toribio, a Chicano professor, attributes the popularity of lowriders to a midcentury boom in unionized industrial jobs, which spread to hobbyists who brought the tradition from Mexico.
In Astoria, Queens, a gravelly parking lot hosted a display of lowriders, ranging from full-sized cars to scale models, attracting families and car enthusiasts alike. The intricate details and craftsmanship of the lowriders were on full display, showcasing the owners’ dedication to their vehicles.
Mr. Flores, who left Mexico for a better life in the U.S., has gained respect in the industry for his custom paint jobs and fabrication skills. His children have also followed in his footsteps, with his son customizing Japanese compact cars and his daughter set to inherit his candy-apple-red Chevy Impala.
As lowrider culture continues to thrive globally, with clubs as far as Japan, there are concerns about the commodification of the culture. However, for Mr. Flores, the tradition of lowriding is a family affair, with his children actively involved in the craft.
His passion for lowriders runs deep, as he envisions his ashes being placed in the hydraulic tanks of his Impala, ensuring that he will always be with his daughter as she drives his beloved car.
