SANTA FE, N.M. — Lawmakers in New Mexico are celebrating the state’s rich tradition of lowrider culture, which transforms customized vehicles into vibrant symbols of artistic expression and community pride. On Tuesday, both the House and Senate recognized this heritage by declaring the day as Lowrider Day at the state Capitol, with festivities highlighting Latino history and tradition.
In addition to the designation, legislators are working on new legislation aimed at creating special license plates to honor lowriders. Among the proposals, state Sen. Leo Jaramillo is also advocating for a bill that would establish the lowrider as New Mexico’s official state vehicle, joining other symbols like the roadrunner as the official state bird and the spiky yucca as the state flower. Moreover, the vision extends to establishing a lowrider museum in Española, a municipality located about 20 miles north of Santa Fe, which is known for its car culture.
According to Jaramillo, the Upper Rio Grande Valley became a foundational hub for lowrider car culture during the 1960s, as mechanics returning from the Vietnam War applied their expertise to modifying cars. This evolution was further documented by a crew from MTV in later years, which crowned the Española valley as the “lowrider capital of the world.”
On the backdrop of the statehouse, lowrider aficionados showcased their impressive vehicles, including a striking fuchsia Pontiac Grand Prix and a vivid orange Cadillac adorned with golden wire-rim wheels. Jaramillo remarked, “It’s more than just a moving piece of art. It’s also STEM in motion, the science of hydraulics, the mixing of paint.” He emphasized the educational aspect of lowriding when speaking to young people in Española, illuminating the scientific principles that underpin the craft.
Democratic state Rep. Cynthia Borrego reflected on her childhood memories associated with lowriders, emphasizing their cultural significance in small-town New Mexico during the 1970s and ’80s when Saturday night car cruising was a communal activity. Recently, cities like Albuquerque have begun reversing laws that labeled cruising as a nuisance, leading to a resurgence of families engaging with lowrider traditions.
“Families teach their kids about car maintenance and how to appreciate these vehicles,” she noted. “It becomes something everybody can partake in as a family unit.” On the House floor, Albuquerque’s state Rep. Art De La Cruz shared a nostalgic story of his first car, a 1964 Chevrolet Impala, which he modified, admitting, “We couldn’t afford these fancy hydraulics… All we could do was put weights in the back of the car,” he recalled. “I stuffed cement sacks in there. It worked, even if it didn’t hop.”
