Restored classic cars, tricked-out customized vehicles, and lowriders are a part of New Mexico culture. Española, in northern New Mexico, is considered the lowrider capital of the world. A blend of Latino and old school American car culture influences, many of these cars are meticulously maintained works of art and a source of community pride. There is some contention as to whether this started in Los Angeles or here in New Mexico.
The state assembly recently passed a bill that would make lowriders the official car of New Mexico. In a statement, they said that “Lowriders are as iconic to New Mexico as the Zia symbol and red and green chili.”
Contrary to negative movie depictions of car culture, they are a regular presence at many local fundraising and cultural events. Gabe Trujillo of the Albuquerque car club “The Drifters” told us, “We do a lot of parades for people who are ill, and for graduations, retirements, and birthdays. During COVID, when people couldn’t gather in large groups, we staged car shows and parades. A ‘parade’ is when we roll down the street in a procession to cheer someone up or celebrate an event in people’s lives.”
Gabe said, “Ten of us formed the Drifters eleven years ago. Now we have 30 members. Cars must be pre-1960 to be in the club. We are more of a classic car club than a lowrider group. Only one honorary member has a lowrider.” Lowriders have hydraulics that famously make the vehicle jump up and down.
You don’t have to look hard to find classic cars and lowriders in Albuquerque. They are a ubiquitous sight in the community. To find out where the Drifters are doing a car show, check out their Facebook page.