History Low Riders, Zoots Suiters and "Pachucos"

The bombs are not my favorite but I love looking at the low riders such as the mid 60s Chevys all decked out with the fantastic paint jobs and a million dollars worth of chrome. I wish there were some down this way but as of yet I have not seen any local ones.

 

The long "Key chains" were a trade mark back then.

 

Keep in mind that those cars were built and painted in someone's back yard and garage with the help of friends and Primos.

 

https://www.customcarchronicle.com/custom-cars/memo-files-smarty-pants/

 

It is worth noting that the third picture that you posted is of a row of bombs, IN JAPAN!

This culture transcends nations!

 

It’s like jazz and the blues
A pure art form enjoyed and admired by those who dig it

 

I’d like to go this direction with my 49 gmc.
Maybe without the fender trim. I should have bought that 20 years ago. Those ain’t cheap

 

I am building a 1940 Chevy pickup lowrider for a customer now.

It will be fully decorated in this style.

 

What’s the fender trim off of? Was it offered via GMC/Chevy? I’ve never seen it before, I kinda like it!

 

Go on YouTube. Plenty of action on the streets and shows. Any shows close and I would go in a heartbeat.

 

mines a long bed. I have a short bed and frame.
But I kinda dig this. Just swap the stance.

 

I’m not sure on trucks but the cars had this type trim available

 

I’ve heard those trim pieces referred to as “sergeant stripes”
Seen them on a few decked out 50’s Suburbans as well.

 

Even vettes with hydraulics

icons

 

For anyone interested, there is a Bombs car show July 17 at the Anaheim convention center.

 

I never miss seeing them every year at the GNRS. The quality and attention to details is way above anything I've ever owned.

 

The bombs and zoot suits are not my thing either, but hot rod history is. For that reason and appreciation for craftsmanship, I am interested. I also appreciate hot rodders and cultures who fought for American freedom of expression.

 

At least where I am, the lowrider community is the kindest, friendliest, most welcoming, and most family-oriented segment of car culture.

Have you ever had customer's wives bring you home cooked food at the shop, because they think you are not eating enough?!

They treat me like one of their own. I get a front seat on many cruise nights.

I am "Tio Brian" to a whole mess of kids! My wife gets the royal treatment, too!

 

I'm not sure that our people and various cultures can be separated from the cars and even the HAMB founder's intro reflects people and culture: "The Jalopy Journal was formed just a few years later to spread the gospel of traditional Hot Rods and Kustoms to hoodlums worldwide… ".

 

They don't need to be separated.

Things outside of discussing the gospel of traditional Hot Rods and Kustoms are topics that are frowned upon here, especially when they drift into the sociopolitical.

Nobody is placing limits on how others should live, or what they believe.

The only limits being placed here are those on what can be discussed. Those topics have been made crystal clear.

You did state in your opening post that you did not know what terms might be offensive, and implied that you might see more cars out for the 80th anniversary of the "Zoot Suit Riots".

I asked a few members of the local community today what they thought of this. They were not too pleased. They don't see what happened 80-years-ago as anything good. It is not something that they celebrate. I was told that they celebrate the good in life, not the horrible, and that there is indeed a special day when the cars come out to cruise.

That day is called Saturday.

Oh, and unless you are de La Raza, calling someone a Pachuco might just significantly decrease any warm welcome that you might receive from the community.

 

Having grown up with and spent most of my life in proximity to the lowrider community, I have to say, Gimpys posts on the cars and the culture that surrounds them are spot on.

 

There is a lot that I could say on this subject but it would turn into a sociopolitical and subculture nightmare.
If you don't know, look up the meaning of a Zoot Suiter, Pachuco and Chicano, Brown Beret-La Raza crowd. I have had Aunt's and Uncles in each group/sub culture. Family reunions can be fun.
The one common factor is the car. Low Riders, Bombs, Customs of that time frame that still live on.
The subculture styles of the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's aren't going anyplace. I think they perfectly fit the car culture.
How would the low rider style look with out the pachuco look? Or the bomb style with out the zoot suit look?
After all, didn't low riding begin in Mexico?

 

Hello,

Our dad used to tell us stories about living in a neighborhood in Terminal Island, San Pedro, then Boyle Heights and back to Los Angeles when he was growing up as a late teen/college kid. His friends consisted of the Slavic folks, Hispanics, and Asian descendants. The style of clothing was loose fitting, creased pants, suspenders, shirts of different styles, and shiny toe shoes. (later on we thought about our own junior high school clothes with creased pants, Pendleton shirts and shiny toe shoes…Ha!)

He said that he and his friends dressed like that because it was the neighborhood style and when they went out messing around in Los Angeles, sometimes they wore large single/double breasted jackets. The style was a lot lower, below the waist and not high up like they are today. So, if you look at several of the photos, it was a common style prevalent in most communities. Not singled out in one specific area.

What happened to his stylish hats they wore? Those Dobbs Fedora Hats stood the test of time and as an adult/family man, our dad wore his everyday to work and play. When he and our mom went to dinner somewhere, the ever-present Dobbs Fedora Hats played a gentleman’s role in styles. It is still in a closet waiting for another teenager Halloween dress up day.

They even wore those snap bill wool caps as part of their outfits, when driving around.
He even got my brother and me a couple of almost matching caps when we were very little.


Jnaki

There were times that “Zoot Suit” folks were partying and sure, like all parties, got called out. If you were wearing those creased pants, large single or double-breasted jackets and shiny toe shoes, you got lumped into the name calling style. Despite the fact that straight arrow college age guys were just out to have fun in their trying times.

Yes, our old dads did have fun, just like we did. It all comes around as per generations. But, they were dressed appropriately for the era, but were not the police fighting flashy news gathering articles in the time era newspapers.

So, the public history was overplayed like most stories of the era. Flashy stories or some cultural event splashed in the local newspapers was big time and sold plenty of copies. The attention craving public was almost as bad as today’s “drag racing on the streets-donut skidding idiots” for the bee buzzer kids with nothing to else to do with their phone cameras and late night adventures. YRMV

 

Saw a large number down by the Cow Palace not too long ago, super cool.

Interesting thread for one not familiar with the history.

 

Zoot Suit and a race car.

 

According to internet info, the Zoot Suit first was seen in black areas of NYC, Chicage and Detriot in the 1930's. The style was popular with jazz muscians. Then it spread to Latinos, Italians and even Jewish
We had some cars in the low rider style in the NJ ,NYC area but they might have more like lead sleds.
None around here where I live now but at a drive in gathering some Latino riders showed up on late model sport bikes done up like drag racers with extended swing arms and engine modifications .Not my style of bike but I checked them out and found extensive detailing like engraved engine cases and hand made parts...A new appeciation for something different is a learning experience..

 

A local old los angeles club"Old Memories" has chapters in Japan,Australia,as well.,the bomb style and cultural traits do transcend borders. American style is contagious around the world.

 

"Chorts, Mon". Chorts.