Texas Lowriding Community, Legacy Shines in Lowrider Exhibit at Bullock Museum

Lowrider legend and Austinite John Colunga remembers the day in 1983 when he finished painting his dark candy green 1967 Ford LTD. The car featured customized hoods with images of angels and the Virgen de Guadalupe. His lowrider has been more than a car to him, it’s been a part of his cultura, his history. 

Now his stunning 1967 Ford LTD is among the many lowriders featured in the new Bullock Museum “Carros y Cultura: Lowriding Legacies in Texas” exhibit showcasing Texas lowrider culture. 

Lowriding culture began after World War II with the Mexican American community in California. Lowriders began customizing their cars with chrome rims, hydraulics, unique steering wheels, and intricate paint jobs as an expression of their culture. The Chicano civil rights movement during the 1970’s took lowriding culture to new heights as it became even more intertwined with identity, leading to car competitions and car clubs all over the country.

Today, while the art of lowriding can be under appreciated, it’s gaining traction once again. The exhibit, which opened on May 11, features many old-school cars and customized bikes ranging from Monte Carlos to Chevy Impalas. An array of artifacts are also on display, such as customized chrome steering wheels, hydraulic switches, archival Lowrider magazines and merchandise. Visitors can also learn about the different car parts, watch two short films showcasing lowrider culture, and read short bios on each owner and their car.

Colunga said he was thrilled when his car was selected for the exhibition. 

“They asked me if I wanted to put my car in the museum,” Colunga said. “And I told them, man, I’d be honored because it’s a history of 45 years.”

Since finishing his Ford LTD in 1983, he’s taken his lowrider to car shows and received many awards for his piece of art. Through his hard work and dedication, he’s become one of the most respected lowriders in Austin. 

“A lot of guys that are younger than me are like ‘what’s going on, Colunga? You’re a legend, man’ or ‘I always hear about you’ and I’m like ‘Thank you man, I appreciate you,’” Colunga said.

Kathryn Siefker, senior curator at the Bullock Museum, met with many lowriders and attended various car meets to immerse herself in the culture throughout the exhibit preparation process.

“Getting to watch their reactions to seeing their cars on display and the write ups about them was just really special for me. It’s always nice to know that they’re appreciating what you’ve done to tell their story,” Siefker said.

Due to the size of the exhibit, more helping hands were needed to make it come to fruition. Monica Maldonado, founder of the Austin Latino nonprofit MAS Cultura, was selected as part of the advisory board for the exhibition. She used her platform to highlight the lowrider community in a positive light but also to create opportunities for the lowrider community to engage with the greater Austin community. 

“I think there are some misconceptions and stereotypes that go along with lowriding such as that it’s gang-related and just the masculinity that comes with the lowrider culture. But one of the things that I have learned in working with them and collaborating is that they have values that align with who we are as Latinos, such as loyalty, respect, and the value of family,” Maldonado said.

Colunga is no stranger to the stereotypes and said he and his Los Associate’s Car Club, which was established in 1978, help out the community to this day. Last year, they organized a toy drive where they donated more than 200 toys to children. 

“It feels good to give back to our community,” Colunga said. “This goes beyond the cars.”

The exhibit has helped diminish the misconceptions associated with lowriding and has educated the Austin community on the often overlooked culture. 

“It’s a real family activity, you know, families are building the cars together, all of their events are very family-oriented,” Siefker said.

As lowriding culture continues to make a comeback, generations continue to preserve and pass down the art of lowriding. 

“As I was meeting a lot of the founders of some of the clubs it was evident that there was just this richness of stories and history that hasn’t been documented,” Maldonado said. “I feel like the Bob Bullock Museum is only the beginning.”

LEARN MORE:

The exhibit is open to the public from now to Sept. 2. To purchase tickets for the exhibit click here.

July 7 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: H-E-B Free First Sunday free admission and fun family-friendly activities.

July 7 at 1:30 p.m.: MAS Cultura and Highclass Car Club – Austin Chapter host a lowrider cruise on Congress Avenue. The cruise departs from the Bullock Museum.