Cerritos College
Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

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Bajito y Suavecito: Cinco de Mayo Lowrider cruise

Las+chicas+gather+around+this+beautiful+classic+top-down+in+front+of+the+Los+Angeles+skyline.+The+perfect+car+to+take+to+the+beach.+
Rebecca Aguila
Las chicas gather around this beautiful classic top-down in front of the Los Angeles skyline. The perfect car to take to the beach.

Sundays in East Los Angeles are known for carne asadas and cruises down the boulevard as the sun sets behind the skyline.

The Cinco de Mayo cruise had almost over 1,000 cars driving throughout the historical area of Downtown Los Angeles and into the popular Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles up until 2 a.m!

A community of custom lowriders, motorcycles, and bomba cars were all present and ready to show off their chromed-out pieces of art, which dazzled many of the spectators who were caught in the parade of lowriders.

Lowriders can date back to the late 1940s, as Southern California Chicanos created a new kind of car style that was playful and showed pride within the Mexican-American community that thrives in Los Angeles.

Ever since then, it has created generations of passed down lowriders and traditional boulevard cruises con la Familia.

It’s a subculture that has caught many eyes around the world and that inspires many to start a project that could ultimately live through generations.

Many of these cars have had thousands of dollars put into them, which calls for a summer cruise to show off those chrome jobs and extremely detailed pinstripes.

Mostly everyone at these car events play oldies, or known here in Los Angeles as Chicano oldies.

These songs can range from classic Motown to Doo-Wop’s too old school ’80s which makes the atmosphere even better to be around for other people who love to just take a cruise and admire music and cars.

Hollywood films typically tend to have lowriders associated with gang violence but these cruises are far from even being closely related to gangs.

These cruises are always meant for family and friends to gather around and enjoy each others’ company.

Violence is not an option at lowriders cruise; only peace.

Many car clubs attend cruises which allows a lot more of a variety of car collections within the lowrider community.

It also gives some inspiration to future lowrider enthusiasts.

East Los Angeles is always filled with lowriders and custom bomber cars that seem to be a part of the growing subculture.

Younger faces are seen with cars that only their parents or grandparents were seen driving these when they were adolescent teens.

Rebecca Aguila
A baby blue 1957 Chevrolet bomba cars. The chrome job on this car is simply amazing.

This cruise event took place even with the serious COVID-19 pandemic going on right now that forbids mass gatherings throughout the nation, so some people were a bit skeptical to attend or others might get the wrong idea.

However, people kept their distance and yes, people were wearing masks and gloves as they parked their cars and walked around to check out the other cars that were present.

Many people ended up parking at the Target on Whittier Boulevard just to get a closer look at all the detail that these mesmerizing cars had. This allows many car collectors to ask questions regarding the artwork and paint jobs.

Some were so shiny and chromed out that you could see your reflection clear as day.

Rebecca Aguila
A detailed 64′ SS Impala cruises down the famous Whittier Blvd in East Los Angeles. Many cruises are held at this location

It’s definitely a sight to see as a kid, hearing loud music and admiring glistening classic cars.

Los Angeles Lowriding events on Instagram is always sharing flyers of Lowrider and cruise events on their page whenever there are any events going on.

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About the Contributor
Rebecca Aguila
Rebecca Aguila, Multimedia Editor
Rebecca Aguila is the currently Multi-media editor and is a 22-year-old student who is majoring Journalism who is set to graduate Spring 2021. Her dream is to create a multi-media production company that is internationally available for an array of content creators. She is a lover of all types of food and will eventually be the creator and producer of food documentary series that highlights the authentic dishes throughout the world.
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    MauricePettyMay 6, 2020 at 9:23 am

    Great article! I come from a family that used to have Lowriders and would cruise on Crenshaw. A long time dream of mine is to own an 87 Cutlass with all the Lowrider bells and whistles. Love the Lowrider Culture.

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Bajito y Suavecito: Cinco de Mayo Lowrider cruise