Lowrider

Back in the early '80's, Jose Villanueva of Los Angeles, CA built himself a Lowrider with a 1973 Camaro. The car, his first ever Lowrider, served to introduce Jose to the culture that he has been inlove with ever since. He has many fond memories of this first build, and while Jose cruised around in his '73 Camaro, one of his friends followed suit with a '69 Caprice. Jose loved his Camaro but healso grew a strong affinity for his friend's Caprice."I remember really wanting one that I could build my way," he says. Jose kept on Lowriding and found himself joining High Class Car Club and lateron, he became a full-fledged member of the Majestics. Just like many others in the scene, Jose had to step back from it once he got married and began his family. "I disappeared from the Lowrider scenefor about twenty years and came back into the scene about six years ago," Jose explains. With over a two decade layoff, Jose came back strong with a '53 Chevy Stepside which he still has. "I got thetruck to cruise it around on weekends," smiles the Lowrider. "I just wanted to add the paint and airbags to it, but before I knew it, I added a sound system, chrome parts, and so on."




Thecar that Jose really wanted was a '69 Caprice like the one his friend had back in the days. As his search began, Jose found himself searching on several websites until he came across one on eBay thatwas located in Hermosa Beach. "It was a project car and I ended up paying $4,300 for it with no engine and [it was]in need of a paintjob," Jose explains. As much as he loves the Stepside, Jose isplanning on selling his '53 Chevy in order to have more money to invest into his '69.

Jose is happy to share his ride with all of us but he's even more happy to give credit to his late friend, HugoSixtos. "I would have probably never gotten a feature had it not been for my good friend, Hugo," Jose explains. "He was always in out there talking to everyone and was a big influence on me." The whole...