From the 1964 Chevy Impala to the 1978 Vauxhall Cresta, low riders come in many makes and models. Popularized in the early 1990s, restored stock cars such as the Buick Regal and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and modern day high class vehicles were transformed into low riders.
On Sept. 30, the Department of Multicultural Affairs, alongside Sigma Lambda Beta and Kappa Delta Chi, celebrated the diversity in cars within the Hispanic community with a Low Rider Car Show in front of the MSC. Wednesday, students had the opportunity to walk by and see three personal custom cars that belonged to members of, four time club of the year winners, Roller Z Only Car Club.
The students got the chance to look inside the cars and communicate with the owner of the custom automobiles. Jose Salinas, a member of Roller Z, lives in Katy, drives a rebuilt Lincoln Town Car. Salinas paid $12,000 for his sedan, but spent another $8,000 over the course of two years to make it what it is today.
“Had I taken my car to a mechanic to have the work done, it would have cost me more, but doing the work myself made it cheaper,” Salinas said.
With six batteries, hydraulics, a three-tone paint job, and chrome suspension and rims, nothing is factory this vehicle. Even at this point, Salinas is not done with his car.
“This is my regular car, this isn’t even one of the show cars we use,” he said. “I still have to finish the floors. I’m making them fiberglass.”
For anyone who missed this event, another low rider car show featured by Roller Z Only Car Club is in the works. This time all the car clubs in Texas are invited, as well as Low Rider Magazine.
“Right now, I’m speaking with two individuals from Roller Z,” Elma De Luna Gonzalez, the director of Multicultural Affairs, said. “We are trying to work out a day for the car club to come back, and at that time we want to see if Low Rider Magazine can do a story on Roller Z Only Car Club and their great cars.”