Lowriders Cruise into Anaheim’s Muzeo

Cynthia Rebolledo
Oct 8
4 min read

The exhibition, “Lowrider Culture in the United States / Cultura Lowrider en los Estados Unidos,” highlights lowrider culture and iconography while documenting its styles in the U.S.

Classic cars are displayed throughout the exhibit. Lowrider cars were designed to cruise slowly down California boulevards. Photo by Cynthia Rebolledo, Culture OC

Jason Godinez crouches down to take a closer look at Danny Palomino’s black cherry, Chevy Fleetline named “Spill the Wine.”

Parked in the center of Muzeo’s main gallery showroom, studio lights catch every gleaming curve and lacquered frame of the 1949 bomber. It’s the centerpiece of “Lowrider Culture in the United States / Cultura Lowrider en los Estados Unidos,” currently on display at the downtown Anaheim museum and cultural center.

“This is what I was most excited to come here to see,” Godinez said. “Danny Palomino is a legend and being able to see his car in a setting like this – it's art on wheels. It allows people to really see how much we put into these cars and the history behind them.”

PHOTO 1: Jason Godinez of Stanton came to see Danny Palomino’s Chevy Fleetline “Spill the Wine.” PHOTO 2: A close-up of the car which was a full rebuild with custom hydrolics and stunning details. Photos by Cynthia Rebolledo, Culture OC

In Mexican American communities, lowrider cars have become a source of pride and a way of creating community through creativity, family and tradition.

The exhibit highlights a selection of photographs and prints depicting lowrider culture and iconography from the 1940s to now in the U.S. It’s presented through a variety of media, themes and expressions, with classic cars and documentary ephemera.

This exhibition was organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, in collaboration with the National Museum of American History. It received federal support from the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the National Museum of the American Latino. It was supported by OCVibe in collaboration with the Low Rider Alliance, El Pachuco and Thinkspace Projects.

A walk through the exhibition starts with a bilingual text introducing the Chicano Movement, detailing the experiences of Chicanos in the United States and the art created in response. Imagery underscores themes such as Aztec symbols, the United Farm Workers, and community-based murals and art as expressions of identity, history and activism.

PHOTO 1: "Into The Void" (mixed media) by Vyal and Michael Quintero. PHOTO 2: Custom steering wheels. PHOTO 3: "Voyager," a custom-built Taylor Tot Deluxe stroller. PHOTO 4: Car club plaques are proudly displayed on lowriders. PHOTO 5: "BelEV" 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertable rim. Photos by Cynthia Rebolledo, Culture OC

The exhibit is organized thematically instead of chronologically, featuring works from a variety of artists and photographers, including Oscar R. Castillo, who documented the Chicano community in Los Angeles and South Texas, and subjects range from political events to cultural practices to the work of muralists and painters. One print shows a young Sonny Madrid, co-founder of Lowrider Magazine. The photo shows Madrid standing next to a sleek lowrider. He’s wearing pleated slacks, suspenders and fedora and donning a frowning, thick mustache.

The memorabilia displayed throughout reinforces the narrative of how lowrider culture expanded to include bikes, name plaques, steering wheels and even children's strollers.

Mannequins in pachuco attire – wool trench coats, billowing tapered trousers with high cinched waists and feather-accented fedoras – by the legendary El Pachuco store in Fullerton stand tall and proud.

“It’s a subculture that not too many people know about and this gives it a platform,” said Isaiah Abeyta, 29, who drove from Riverside to see the exhibit. “It’s nice to see the beauty of the cars in another light.”

PHOTO 1: Zoot Suit fashion by El Pachuco of Fullerton demonstrates how fashion asserts identity. PHOTO 2: 1977 photograph of Sonny Madrid, Lowrider Magazine co-founder by Oscar R. Castillo. PHOTO 3: Visitors sit and watch a short documentary about lowriders. Photos by Cynthia Rebolledo, Culture OC

Included is a detailed documentary, "Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture" produced for the project by different filmmakers. It captures the compelling stories of the car clubs, generational families along with their connection to the lowriding culture they helped to establish.

Kelly Chidester, executive director of the Muzeo, says while Los Angeles may be recognized as lowriding's birthplace, Orange County has cultivated its own vibrant lowrider traditions across strip malls, parks and suburban landscapes.

“The pride in this artform thrives through Orange County chapters of clubs like Viejitos OG OC, Sabor Orange County, and Klique OC, among others,” Chidester said. “We're honored to present this exhibition here in Anaheim, where the artistry and traditions of lowriding continue to be passed down through generations. For our community, lowriding transcends automotive customization – it's a powerful expression of heritage, a moment for gathering and a celebration of culture that brings us together in meaningful ways.”

Visitors can experience “Lowrider Culture in the United States” at Muzeo through Dec.14, before it cruises its way across the country, including stops in Port Hueneme, Farmington, New Mexico and Tucson, Arizona.