10 Amazing Lowriders for a Smooth and Stylish Ride

For many, car customization revolves around enhancing performance—think powerful engines, rugged suspensions for off-roading, and massive superchargers. However, there's a unique style of customization that prioritizes style over speed. This approach is all about cruising bajito y suavecito—low and slow.

Lowriders represent a distinct form of car customization focused on aesthetics rather than performance. These vehicles are transformed into sleek, eye-catching masterpieces through lowered suspensions, custom bodywork like fender skirts, lowered rooflines, and vibrant paint jobs. Inside, lowriders boast luxurious interiors with plush seating and powerful sound systems.

The lowrider style originated in the 1930s within Chicano culture in California. Immigrants began purchasing and modifying older vehicles, often Chevrolets, to stand apart from the hot-rod trend. Known as pachucos, these early lowrider enthusiasts prioritized style and comfort over speed, crafting cars perfect for cruising the streets and making an impression.

What began as a way to attract attention has evolved into a timeless custom car tradition, even inspiring certain production models. Dive deeper into the world of lowriders by exploring these 10 exceptional examples.

10: 1939 Chevrolet

Chevrolets became the go-to choice for early lowriders for several reasons. In the 1930s and 1940s, they were more affordable than many other vehicles, including Fords, making them accessible to Mexican immigrants who pioneered the lowrider movement. Additionally, the design of Chevys, particularly the 1939 model, appealed to pachucos with its sleek rear slope, bold grille, and striking fender flares. The ease of modifying Chevy suspensions also allowed lowriders to achieve their desired low-profile look.

While few original 1939 Chevy lowriders remain today, Joel Garcia's 1939 Ford Master Deluxe, showcased in Lowrider Magazine, exemplifies the modern interpretation of this classic style. Named Precioso, meaning precious, the car features air bags in its suspension system—a modern upgrade that allows the vehicle to be raised or lowered with ease, a far cry from the sandbag methods used by early pachucos.

9: 1941 Ford

While Chevrolets were the preferred choice for early lowriders, Fords also made their mark in the lowrider scene. In the 1930s and 1940s, Fords were pricier than Chevys and less favored due to their bumper design. Unlike the flat bumpers of Chevys, Ford bumpers had a central bulge that would scrape the ground when the car was lowered. This meant pachucos had to replace the bumpers, a costly and time-consuming process requiring the right fit.

By 1941, Ford redesigned their bumpers, eliminating the bulge. Additionally, post-World War II, the American automotive industry boomed as soldiers returned with disposable income, increasing demand for new cars. This surge also led to a surplus of 1941 models in the used car market, making them more affordable.

Joe Moran's 1941 Ford Custom exemplifies the beauty of Ford lowriders. Featuring pearlescent paint, an ultra-low stance, and even the original hand crank for emergencies (like a dead car's battery), this car showcases the rewards of embracing Ford in the lowrider world.

8: 1950 Mercury Eight

Lowriders aren't limited to just Fords and Chevys, even as the style gained popularity. With creativity and flair, any vehicle can be transformed into a lowrider. Over time, enthusiasts began customizing classic cars, with models from the 1950s becoming particularly trendy in the 1970s and 1980s.

The 1950 Mercury Eight gained fame in the lowrider world largely due to Steve Gonzales, who showcased his customized version across southern California. Its sleek design, enhanced by wheel flares stretching from the front fenders to the doors, gives it a streamlined and dynamic appearance.

While the Mercury Eight's grille isn't as bold as some other lowriders from the 1940s and 1950s, its detailed design shines when chromed and polished. The spacious and luxurious interior offers ample room for custom upholstery, making it ideal for creating opulent cruising environments.

7: Chevrolet Impala

No discussion of lowriders is complete without highlighting the Chevrolet Impala. First introduced in 1958 (with a brief hiatus in the late '80s and early '90s), the Impala became a favorite for customization due to its popularity in the '50s, '60s, and '70s. Many consider the 1960s Impala models the ultimate representation of lowrider culture.

Unlike the rounded designs of 1940s and 1950s lowriders, the Impala features a more angular and boxy silhouette. Available as both a coupe and a convertible, it offered lowriders more options for personalization. Given that lowriding is most popular in Southern California and the Southwest, the convertible model is a natural choice for cruising in style.

Lowriders often preserve the Impala's original bodywork, emphasizing its sharp lines with vibrant, metallic, or pearlescent paint. The real focus, however, is on the suspension. The Impala's sturdy build makes it ideal for dancing, where air bags or hydraulic systems are installed to enable the car to bounce and hop off the ground.

6: 1965 Buick Riviera

For lowrider enthusiasts who admire the Impala's design but desire something more unique and upscale, the Buick Riviera is an excellent choice. Known for being lighter than most Buicks while delivering comparable power, the Riviera was a strong performer—though performance wasn't the primary focus for most lowriders.

Marketed as a luxury car, the Buick Riviera became a symbol of status for lowriders cruising the streets. While early models were relatively traditional, the 1970s Riviera introduced a boat tail design, featuring angled rear glass and a distinctive sloping rear that resembled the hull of a boat, adding a sleek and unique aesthetic.

With its already plush interior, the Riviera required minimal upgrades for lowriders. Custom sound systems, premium fabrics, and other stylish enhancements were all that was needed to elevate its appeal.

5: 1950s Chevrolet Trucks

Lowriders aren't limited to cars; trucks, particularly 1950s Chevrolet models, are also a favorite for customization. These trucks offer a unique canvas for lowrider enthusiasts to showcase their creativity.

While most truck customizations involve lifting the suspension for off-road capability, lowriders take the opposite approach, lowering the truck body. This transformation renders the truck impractical for its original purpose of heavy-duty work but opens up new possibilities for personalization. The truck bed, no longer needed for labor, becomes a space for artistic expression.

Lowrider trucks often feature elegantly designed beds, replacing utilitarian bedliners with polished wood, chrome floors, or even elaborate sound systems. Many owners add tonneau covers to give the truck a sleek, finished appearance. Although the interiors of 1950s trucks were originally small and functional, lowrider enthusiasts enhance them with vibrant fabrics and finishes. Externally, bold and bright paint jobs—far from the practical colors of farm trucks—complete the transformation.

4: Lincoln Continental

While 1950s lowrider trucks may lack interior refinement, the Lincoln Continental offers an abundance of luxury for lowrider enthusiasts.

For lowriders aiming to make a bold statement, the Lincoln Continental, particularly models from the 1960s and 1970s, is the ultimate choice.

The Lincoln Continental's sheer size is the first thing that captures attention. This massive vehicle features a bold, upright grille at the front, often polished to a mirror finish by lowriders. The elongated hood leads to a spacious passenger compartment with four doors (rear-hinged for the back seats) and no center pillar. The extended rear deck adds to its imposing presence, evoking a sense of grandeur often associated with mobsters.

The Lincoln Continental's massive size makes a bold statement, and its spacious, comfortable interior is perfect for long cruises. Lowering the Continental accentuates its length, while the car's minimal body adornments allow flashy rims to take center stage. Some lowriders opt for subtle paint colors with intricate pinstriping, while others embrace vibrant hues to ensure their Continental leaves a lasting impression.

3: 1984 Buick Regal

Lowrider culture isn't limited to classic cars from the 1950s and 1960s; modern vehicles also receive the lowrider treatment.

The second-generation Buick Regal, produced from 1978 to 1987, is a favorite among lowriders. Its long production run ensures a wide availability of affordable cars and replacement parts for customization.

Unlike the rounded designs of 1940s and 1950s lowriders or the angular styles of the 1960s, the Buick Regal features a flat, boxy body. It lacks the bold flourishes of the Impala or extensive chrome detailing, making it a perfect canvas for showcasing aftermarket additions like striking, vibrant wheels. Its understated design allows accessories to take center stage.

Lowriders often enhance the Regal with flashy custom rims, and some even add a touch of luxury to the engine, coating it in chrome or gold plating. Despite its sleek coupe profile, the Regal offers ample interior space, which lowriders typically outfit with plush crushed velvet or velour seats and a high-powered stereo. A continental kit, which mounts the spare tire above the rear bumper, adds further flair. The spare tire, often customized, becomes a standout feature, resembling a jewel on the car's rear.

2: Chevrolet Monte Carlo

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo, a popular choice among lowriders from the 1970s and 1980s, shares similarities with the Buick Regal but is often more affordable. Its lower price point and distinctive style make it a favorite for customization.

The Monte Carlo's interior distinguishes it from the Regal. The fourth-generation model (1981–1988) featured a sleek, streamlined body with integrated bumpers, giving it a seamless, sculpted appearance that many lowriders favor. Like the Buick Regal, the Monte Carlo's minimalist design serves as a blank canvas, allowing custom wheels to take center stage.

The Monte Carlo's name evokes a sense of glamour, mystery, and gambling, inspiring many lowriders to create themed designs. Through pinstriping, custom upholstery, and unique wheels, they bring these themes to life, making each Monte Carlo a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

1: 2007 Toyota Camry

Lowriders aren't limited to classic American cars. As the trend gained global popularity, it reached countries like Japan. Toyota, a leading Japanese automaker, celebrated 50 years in the U.S. by creating a special lowrider edition of the Toyota Camry, blending Japanese engineering with lowrider culture.

To achieve this, Toyota collaborated with Lowrider Magazine to fully customize the vehicle, featuring vibrant orange paint, a two-tone interior, and, naturally, a lowered suspension. Japanese and other import cars are gradually making their mark in the lowrider community. While most Japanese cars are tuned for performance, transforming an import into a lowrider involves equipping it with high-end sound systems and upgrading the interior from a simple commuter setup to a luxurious cruising experience. Alongside custom upholstery, Japanese lowriders often include bespoke seats and dashboards, complemented by essential lowrider elements like eye-catching wheels and an ultra-low stance.