Corazón y vida: Lowrider Culture | Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Exhibitions
Lowriding culture combines artistic expression, technological innovations, and storytelling that reflects Mexican American and Chicano culture and identity. This vibrant, bilingual exhibition showcases this unique car-making tradition with photos, graphics, and two classic Chevy Impalas: “El Rey” and “Gypsy Rose.” Featuring murals and candy red paint, the 1963 vehicle “El Rey” was built by three generations of the same family. With its hand-painted roses, the 1964 “Gypsy Rose,” is recognized as one of the most iconic lowriders and credited with putting the car culture into the public imagination.
Following WWII, the U.S. embraced car culture as a symbol of the American dream. In Mexican American communities, lowrider cars became a source of pride and a way of creating community in an era with wide-spread discrimination and racism towards Latinas/os.
Corazón y vidatells the 80-year history of lowriding and community building through photographs, posters, objects such as a pinstripe tool kit, car club clothing, trophies and other materials.