A Hidden Gem of Lowrider Shows

Living in the Midwest for the entirety of my life, I've grown up surrounded by muscle cars and lifted trucks coupled with drag racing & pulling events. I think this is why I grew to love more “exotic” styles of modified cars, from drift cars and kaido racers to custom Volvo’s and stanced VW’s, I’ve always yearned for what I never saw around me. 

While lowriders may have been born in southern California, the culture surrounding them has spread across the globe, reaching as far as small Ohio towns. Lowrider shows still aren't the norm around here, but the folks with the Westside Lowriders Car Club are doing their part to cement the culture in the area. Their cars are often spotted at car shows, but their annual picnic is what showcases the best of it all. 

This was my second time attending the event, and it was impressive to see how much it had grown in the years since I had last been here. Having moved from using a city to park to the county fairgrounds is an accomplishment for a style of car still doesn't feel mainstream in this part of the country. 

Walking into the event, it felt like I was back in L.A. with Impalas hittin’ switches and seeing wire wheels on nearly every car. What really caught my eye were the number of uncommon bases, or cars that you don't normally see with the lowrider treatment. More often than not, lowriders are typically built with classic GM cars such as Impalas, Bel-Airs, Monte Carlos, and Regals, with some Fords and Lincolns sprinkled in. What they almost always have in common is that they’re cars, and I don't just mean a vehicle with 4 wheels and an engine. Luckily, that makes more uncommon builds like vans, trucks, and SUVs stand out. 

As a former 3rd-gen Econoline owner, it's always a treat to see one still on the road, but seeing one on hydraulics isn't something I ever thought I'd see. Proudly wearing its original paint, and an old school visor, it towered above the surrounding cars, assuring its presence was known

A short walk down the line, I was greeted by a classic-style minitruck, sporting a tilt bed, reverse opening hood, and custom paint on every inch of metal. This S10 oozes style and exhibits just how much some creativity and skill can transform a mundane pickup.

While the S10 pickup is a relatively popular chassis to modify, we can't forget its sibling, we can't forget the S10 Blazer. Luckily there was a pair in attendance to show they can be more than the hunting and trail rigs that I remember them being as a kid. 

The Westside Lowrider’s Annual Picnic may not be a blockbuster, nationally known event, but it’s a testament to lowrider culture continuing to grow and evolve well into the 21st century. Events like this allow enthusiasts to show their skill and creative freedom that might be overlooked by some people in their locale.