Lowrider Model Cars

The lowrider model car craze took the world by storm half a century ago and still shows no signs of slowing down. This unique style of custom car, with its ultra-low ground clearance, is instantly recognizable from Hollywood blockbusters, car shows, video games, and iconic hip-hop music videos. Collecting lowrider model car kits has become a true hobby, and the skill of creating masterpieces from lowrider scale model kits is highly engaging. It brings you into a street subculture with Latin and African American influences, rap, and gangster aesthetics.

What Is a Lowrider?

The defining features of a lowrider are an extremely lowered suspension often with adjustable hydraulic or air bags and a design inspired by cars from the 1940s to the 1970s. These cars stand out with their flashy, custom looks: silver chrome paint, airbrushed or pinstripe patterns, and elaborate artwork. Smaller-diameter tires (down to 13 inches) further emphasize their one-of-a-kind style.

How Did Lowriders Originate?

First appeared in the United States in the 1930s, within the Mexican-American  community. Customizing used cars with pinstriping, extra headlights, ultra-shortened suspension springs, and side exhaust pipes became a form of self-expression for young immigrants.

Returning World War II veterans took this local trend to the next level. Many had learned mechanical skills during the war, but didn’t  find job opportunities at home. In Los Angeles, these veterans began fixing and customizing cars in home garages. While some focused on making cars more powerful, others saw the “low and slow” Latin-inspired look as the ultimate symbol of luxury-cars gliding down the street , almost scraping the asphalt.

These visually striking, elongated cars soon became favorites among criminals, gang members and drug dealers, adding to their edgy reputation.

The Evolution of a Car: From Ban to Boom

Lowriders existed in their original form for about a decade, until the U.S. banned cars with any part lower than the wheel rim in 1957 for safety reasons. That’s when mechanics invented hydraulic suspension systems, allowing drivers to raise or lower the car at will-especially handy when spotting a police officer. The first to pull off this trick were brothers Philbert and Ron Aguirre with their Chevrolet Corvette. They later added futuristic touches: a glass dome roof, push-button controls, and stylish seats.

DIY mechanics also tried to use hydraulics, but early homemade lowriders were unreliable and hard to control. Everything changed when brothers Al and Gil Ayala started mass-producing hydraulic suspensions. Over time, air suspension became a competitor, and the world of lowriders expanded. These cars weren’t just for cruising in style anymore-special shows emerged, complete with records and stats.

Initially tied to the Spanish speaking community and Latin music, lowriders soon found a place in African American communities, though often with higher ground clearance, classic bodies, and large alloy wheels. In 1975, the band War released the hit song “Low Rider.” Fifteen years later, hip-hop dominated the music scene, and lowriders became a must-have in music videos. The subculture reached new heights with movies like “Training day” and its famous Chevrolet Monte Carlo or TV shows like “Pimp My Ride” on MTV, where cars were frequently styled and transformed into lowriders.

Today’s lowriders stay true to their roots, and customization has become an art form-featuring advanced suspension tuning, airbrushed graphics by top artists, powerful engines, dramatic lighting, and crazy sound systems. You would see them on a weekend all over the west coast minding their business and riding low and slow.

Types of Lowriders

1. Classic Lowriders: Traditional, powerful rear-wheel-drive cars from the 1960s-1980s, featuring luxury leather and wood interiors, chrome accents, swivel seats, and round mirrors.
2. Mexican “Bombs”: Cars from the 1930s-1950s, with sun visors, multiple headlights, and side exhaust pipes.
3. Custom Pickups and SUVs: Trucks and off-roaders styled in true lowrider fashion.
4. Transformers: Show-stopping cars with pneumatic cylinders not just in the suspension but throughout the body, allowing for opening, lifting, and rotating parts-perfect for car shows.

Lowrider Legends

1. 1956 Chevrolet Corvette (X-Sonic): The world’s first lowrider with Pesco hydraulic pumps and B-52 bomber cylinders, installed by the Aguirre brothers. This setup allowed the car to hop, tilt, and “dance.”
2. 1958 Chevy Impala:  Its X-frame made it easy to lower, and the 1964 Impala is especially prized by collectors.
3. Gypsy Rose (1963–1964): An all-pink car inside and out, with a nearly glass roof and a cocktail bar, named after the famous singer Gypsy Rose Lee.

Vintage American cars from the 1970s, such as the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Buick Regal, and Oldsmobile Cutlass, are treated like an investment and become more valuable  year after year.

Lowrider Car Model Kits: Build Your Own Masterpiece!

HobbyStreet offers an incredible selection of lowrider model cars to build. Treat yourself or your loved ones to miniatures of stylish cars, from the classic Impala to one-of-a-kind custom Cadillacs! Capture the unique exterior, detailed interior, and the bold spirit of the lowrider era with kits from top brands like Revell and AMT.

Our 1:25 lowrider model kits include everything you need-from body, chassis, and lowrider suspension parts to interior accessories. Special decals and stickers add realism, making the build even more enjoyable for you or your friends. No matter your skill level, you’ll find the lowrider model kit of your dreams. Create a legend with your own hands!