They’re equipped with state of the art hydraulics, sport spectacularly intricate paint jobs, pristine decked-out interiors and they’ve become cultural icons while riding low on four wheels.
They’re lowriders and the Petersen Automotive Museum is celebrating the artistry, creativity and the unique identity of these over-the-top vehicles with “Best in Low: Lowrider Icons of the Street and Show.”
The show, which opens Saturday, May 11 and runs through April 2025, includes the best there is when it comes to lowriding craftsmanship with more than 30 vehicles on display. The exhibition includes lowrider bicycles and motorcycles as well.
“You are going to see some of the most iconic lowrider vehicles in history as well as lowrider vehicles that are newer on the scene. They represent the best of the best in all facets; the best paints, the best metalwork, the best interiors,” said Autumn Nyiri, associate curator at the Petersen.
“It is absolutely artwork on four wheels. From a technical standpoint, from an artistic standpoint, these cars are breathtaking,” she added.
The trunk detail of a 1959 Chevrolet Impala called “Cloud 9” at the lowrider exhibit at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A 1959 Chevrolet Impala called “Cloud 9” at the lowrider exhibit at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lowriders hit the floor at the lowrider exhibit at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The interior detail of a 1968 Cadillac Eldorado called “Helldorado” at the lowrider exhibit at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The interior of a 1980 Toyota Corolla called “A Touch of Wine II” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The interior of a 1980 Toyota Corolla called “A Touch of Wine II” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Custom Lowriders at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A 1942 Chevrolet Special Deluxe called “Captain 42” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Detail from a 1943 Chevrolet 3100 called “Codos 53” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Detail from a 1943 Chevrolet 3100 called “Codos 53” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air called “Trendsetter” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Mirror detail on the 1942 Chevrolet Special Deluxe called “Captain 42” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A 1942 Chevrolet Special Deluxe called “Captain 42” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A 1991 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic called “La Reina” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Hood detail at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A 1942 Chevrolet Special Deluxe called “Captain 42” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A 1979 Conteniential MK V called “Las Vegas” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A 1958 Chevrolet Impala with custom embossing at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A door handle on the 1960 Chevrolet Impala called “The Gonzo” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A 2006 Harley-Davidson Road King “La Charla” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A 1960 Chevrolet Impala called “The Gonzo” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A 1958 Chevrolet Impala called “Dead Presidents” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The 1957 Chevrolet called “Double Trouble” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Engine detail of the 1957 Chevrolet called “Double Trouble” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The 1957 Chevrolet called “Double Trouble” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Detail of the 1957 Chevrolet called “Double Trouble” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Interior of the 1957 Chevrolet called “Double Trouble” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Interior lights of the “Gypsy Rose” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The back of the 1958 Chevrolet Impala called “Final Score” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The headlights of the 1957 Chevrolet called “Double Trouble” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lowriders on display at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The 1957 Chevrolet called “Double Trouble” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The “Gypsy Rose” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The 1957 Chevrolet called “Double Trouble” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A 1958 Chevrolet Impala called “Final Score” at the largest lowrider exhibit ever held at the Peterson Museum which runs through April 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lowriders first emerged in the Southern California automotive scene in the post-war era. While hot-rodders concentrated on going fast, lowriders focused on cruising low and slow and became a symbol of cultural pride in Chicano communities.
The museum has held previous lowrider exhibitions but this is the biggest so far in terms of the number of vehicles. Anchoring the exhibit is perhaps the biggest lowrider star there is, a loud pink 1964 Chevrolet Impala named Gypsy Rose. It’s adorned with about 150 hand painted roses and an interior decked out in pink crushed velvet upholstery and swivel seats. It even has small chandeliers, a cocktail bar, and an 8-track tape player. The car appeared in the opening credits of the 1970s sitcom “Chico and the Man” and was inducted into the Historic Vehicle Association’s National Historic Register.
“She’s the most iconic lowrider and we sort of use her as a starting off point. Although by today’s standards the customization of Gypsy Rose might seem kind of simple. She was customized at a time in the early ’70s when wider wheels weren’t the norm, the extensive metal wasn’t the norm. So this was when cars started taking off and becoming as elaborate as they are today,” she said.
But there are other cars that are just as jaw dropping as the Gypsy Rose, including the 1958 Chevrolet Impala convertible dubbed Final Score.
The three-time Lowrider magazine Lowrider of the Year award winner is painted primarily in gold with accents of yellow, green, red and purple pinstriping running down its long sleek low body. It also boasts an engraved engine and underbelly and it even sports a mural in the back.
“This paintjob features all of the techniques that we think of when we think about exquisite lowrider paint jobs. It’s got the metal flake, its got the pinstriping, the graphics and the paintbrush mural. It features all of the techniques that we highlight in the exhibit as being the pinnacle of paint craftsmanship,” Nyiri said.
Another three-time Lowrider magazine Lowrider of the Year award winner is the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Double Trouble. The convertible is decked out in a pristine blue paint with colorful pinstripes and airbrushed murals of the car owner Bobby Garza’s youngest sons all throughout the vehicle.
But this car wasn’t meant for the streets, it was meant for awards.
“It was built to be competition worthy, to be the best of the best in terms of paint. It’s a completely metal flake paint job and it just sparkles. And the way we have it lit in the gallery you just wouldn’t believe how this thing shines,” she said.
Best in Low: Lowrider Icons of the Street and Show
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through April 2025
Where: The Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
Tickets: $21 general admission; $19 for seniors; $13 for children ages 12-17; $12 for children ages 4-11. All tickets are available at petersen.org.
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