Lowrider Car Clubs The love affair with cars in the United States began after WWII, when discretionary family income began to grow. Although America’s hot-rod and car racing era dominated the spotlight, lowrider car clubs also became part of America’s automobile history. For decades the lowrider has been part of Latinos’ expression of creativity in individualizing their cars and taking pride in sharing their artistry with fellow enthusiasts in their “barrios” and across the nation. Lowrider clubs were sophisticated groups with organizational structure and a commitment to their local communities. Women also established their own customized car clubs. Speed was an objective. The Bean Bandits Car Club became one of the most successful quarter-mile racing teams and custom car innovators who dominated regional car racing and shows.
The Cultural Renaissance continues to Bloom
Social movements ebb and flow. The years after 1975 saw a decline in massive Chicano Movement protests. Yet, Chicana/os in San Diego sustained cultural pride that even transcended the international border. Muralists began to focus on the Mexico-U.S. international border and issues on both sides. The muralists became known as the Border Artists. In February of 1987, the Chicano Park murals were designated as “Art in Public Places” that was spearheaded by barrio residents and supported by the City’s Public Arts Advisory Board. San Diego residents witnessed the revitalization of new cultural initiatives that bridged barrios to other communities in the County and beyond, adding to San Diego’s diverse cultural landscape.
Danza Azteca Digging deeper into their ancestral cultural roots and heritage, other members of the community learned more about the Mexican Indigenous connections that predated the “Hispanic” or “Latino” identity. Mario E. Aguilar, who learned about Danza Azteca at the Centro Cultural de la Raza in Balboa Park, cofounded the Danza Mexi’cayotl Indio Cultural Center in 1987.
Danza Mexi’cayotl Indio Cultural Center, 1987 (Photo courtesy Mario E. Aguilar & Beatrice Zamora Aguilar)
Classics Car Club 1964 Thunderbird (Photo courtesy Ernie Carrillo, USD San Diego Lowrider Archival Project)
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San Diego Latino Legacy – Timeline • Milestones • Stories
Chapter 5 – The Chicano Cultural Renaissance
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