High Art, Low Ride

About this episode

The episode explores the cultural significance of lowriders as symbols of pride and self-expression within the Mexican American community.

How did a car with chopped suspension and hydraulics become a symbol of pride and self-expression for an entire community? We'll cruise back in time to see how lowriders emerged from the post-WWII car craze and became a powerful symbol of Mexican American pride. It's a long road with a few speed bumps, but lowriders are now more popular than ever (especially in Japan!) So, lean your seat back and see how chrome, paint, and a dose of defiance turned classic cars into rolling works of art that have cruised their way into the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Learn more about the Smithsonian's exhibition on Lowriders — Corazón y vida — HERE This project received federal support from the Smithsonian Latino Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino.

Topics covered

• lowriders
• Mexican American pride
• automotive culture
• art
• history
• community expression

Keywords

• lowriders
• Mexican American
• automotive history
• cultural pride
• art
• hydraulics
• Smithsonian

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino

Books & works: Corazón y vida

Places: Japan

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