In Santa Fe, New Mexico, state lawmakers are embracing the rich cultural tradition of transforming customized lowrider cars into rolling works of artistic expression and community pride. Tuesday was designated as Lowrider Day at the state Capitol, a celebration of Latino heritage and history. Proposed legislation aims to go further by creating special license plates as a tribute to lowriders.
Among the legislators involved in this movement is state Sen. Leo Jaramillo, who is working on a bill to designate the lowrider as New Mexico’s official state vehicle, joining the roadrunner as the state bird and the spikey yucca as the state flower. Additionally, lawmakers envision the establishment of a future lowrider museum in Española, a city located 20 miles north of Santa Fe, known for its car culture enthusiasm.
Jaramillo highlighted the Upper Rio Grande Valley as the birthplace of lowrider car culture in the 1960s, as skilled mechanics returning from the Vietnam War brought their expertise to customized cars. The traditions of New Mexico lowriders were even documented by an MTV crew, dubbing the Española valley as the “lowrider capital of the world.”
During the Lowrider Day event, enthusiasts proudly displayed their vehicles near the entrance of the statehouse. Among the showcased cars were a vintage Pontiac Grand Prix gleaming in sparkling-fuchsia paint and an eye-catching orange Cadillac adorned with golden wire-rim wheels.
Jaramillo emphasized that lowriding is not just about creating moving pieces of art but also encompasses elements of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), such as the science behind hydraulics and the art of paint mixing. He often engages with children in Española, educating them about the scientific aspects of lowriding.
Democratic state Rep. Cynthia Borrego shared her personal connection to lowriders, reminiscing about cruising in cars during the 1970s and ’80s in small-town New Mexico. She highlighted the shift in recent years, with cities like Albuquerque relaxing ordinances that once restricted “cruising,” now seeing whole families embracing lowrider traditions.
State Rep. Art De La Cruz from Albuquerque fondly recalled his first car, a makeshift lowrider—a 1964 Chevrolet Impala. Reflecting on the past, he humorously mentioned resorting to placing cement sacks in the car to lower the suspension due to budget constraints. Despite the simplicity of the modifications, he fondly remembered how effective it was in achieving the desired look.
