- The Hall of Fame category Honors are as follows:
- Previous inductees of the Hall of Fame classes 2005-2010 set a high standard for future members. A recap of those honored are as follows:
The objective of the Lowrider Hall of Fame is to recognize those who’ve helped lowriding become the world’s most recognized custom classic car culture. In addition, spotlighting these stand out individuals helps to reintroduce and educate today’s enthusiasts about the history and traditions of lowriding culture that we live and breathe. A worldwide phenomenon, lowriding is embraced by any and everyone with a passion for one of a kind classic and custom automotive artistry.
Questions about who started the movement and have long served as inspiration for today’s automotive artists and leaders, and who went on to become legends of the game that in turn established the standards that later became tradition are often asked. Lowrider always understood the importance of educating you, the enthusiast, and always including the younger generations when sharing lowriding’s cultural and political roots.
More importantly, we believe it’s our duty to recognize those individuals who’ve paved the way for us through their sacrifice and dedication, and inspired us all to continue in their paths while keeping their legacies alive. Lowrider Magazine proudly introduced the Lowrider Hall of Fame back in 2005 to honor these individuals and bring their untold stories to light.
Lowrider Hall of Fame inductees are chosen according to individual achievement and/or their positive role in the lifestyle, sport, and culture of lowriding. There are many great leaders who are very well respected in our cultural automotive sport today and the Lowrider Hall of Fame acknowledges those with a minimum involvement of 20 years.
The Hall of Fame consists of brand manager and editor Richard Ochoa and Eddie Zamarron, event judges and past honorees, who submit their nominations to the Lowrider Hall of Fame Executive Committee. These nominations are thoroughly reviewed and the final inductees are confirmed and voted upon.
The Hall of Fame category Honors are as follows:
Lifetime Contributor Honor
A community leader and/or activist with a lifelong dedication of time, resources, and heart in contributing, influencing and/or investing directly into the lowrider community. This category may include individuals who promote lowrider events that simultaneously educate and entertain the community.
Craftsmanship Honor
Designer, builder, and artists creating original and outstanding vehicles and exhibiting them for a consistent period of time.
Leadership Honor
A founder/leader who has directly affected the course, actions, contributions, and provided the positive influence of a recognized and organized group and/or car club.
Previous inductees of the Hall of Fame classes 2005-2010 set a high standard for future members. A recap of those honored are as follows:
The first ever (2005) Leadership Honor was awarded to Julio Ruelas, founder of the Duke’s Car Club. The Craftsmanship Honor was awarded to Bob Mercado of Bob & Sons Upholstery. The Lifetime Contributor Honor was awarded to “El Larry” Gonzales of Lowrider Magazine and L.G. Productions.
Class of 2006: The Leadership Honor was awarded to Joe Ray, President of the Lifestyle Car Club. The Craftsmanship Honor was awarded to Mario De Alba, Sr. of Elite Car Club. The Lifetime Contributor Honor was awarded to Nick Hernandez of Texas Tours and Taste of Latin Car Club.
Class of 2007: The Leadership Honor was awarded to Ricardo Alvarado, President of the Oldies Car Club; The Craftsmanship Honor belonged to Ted Wells of the Professionals Car Club; and The Lifetime Contributor Honor Award went to Jesse Valadez of the Imperials Car Club. The Memorial Honor went to Joey Abeyta Jr. the Groupe car club legendary President.
Class of 2008: Kita Siliva Lealoa, who garnered the coveted Leadership Honor, exemplified what the USO car club of spirit of unity are today. The Lifetime Contributor Honor was awarded to Fernando Ruelas, President of the Dukes Car Club. Ruben “Buggs” Ochoa received the Craftsmanship Honor, while the Memorial Honor went to Mr. Gary May, the Wizard of pumps and dumps.
Class of 2009: Achievement Honor went to Richard Ochoa, President of the Society car club of Arizona. The Craftsmanship Award Honor was received by Eddie Tovar and the Leadership Honor was awarded to Mr. Harvey Reyes, President of the Carnales Unidos car club of Bakersfield. The Memorial Honor went to well known and loved Luis “Barr” Barrios of Lifestyle car club.
Class of 2010: Honorees were proudly and respectfully introduced beginning with the Memorial Honor Award that went to Richard “Big Rich” Gonzales of the Majestics car club, Arizona chapter. The Craftsmanship Honor went to Andy Douglas of Adex Hydraulics and the Leadership Honor was presented to Mr.George Luna (who can also really play the piano). The Lifetime Contributor Honor was given to Ralph Fuentes, former Lowrider Editor and car builder
We’re excited and honored to bring back the Lowrider Hall of Fame and celebrate the class of ’22 at the Las Vegas Super Show. This year there will feature five recipients including two memorial honorees. The well recognized Leadership, Lifetime, and Craftsmanship award inductees will also receive exclusive Lowrider Hall of Fame rings. This memorable event will take place on Labor Day weekend, Saturday September 3 at 6 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center’s main stage.
The following list of candidate names have been nominated by the Hall of Fame inductees. The Lowrider Hall of Fame Executive Committee thoroughly reviews each nomination before the voting process takes place to induct this year’s award recipients.
Craftsmanship
- Michael Tovar
- Alejandro Vega
- Eric Wisterman
- Frank Castillo
- Oscar Ruelas
- Mike Lopez
- Anthony Fuentes
- Fabien Villarreal
- Mike Pickle
- Abel Izaq “aka OG Abel
- Alberto Herrera -Muralist
- Johnny Salters
- “Big Ed” Painter
Leadership
- Chris Roark
- Benny Ramos – Imperials
- DMack Darwin Wilson Majestics
- Doug Vigil New Style
- Joe Romero
- Tomas Vasquez
- Jorge Ramirez Originals
- Dwight Individuals
Lifetime
- Alberto Lopez
- Eddie “Texas Ed” Zamarron
- Benny Ramos
- Troy Staehler
- Frank Castillo
- Danny Ochoa
- Johnny Lozoya
- Tweet Professionals
Memorial
- Sonny Madrid
- David Leal Sr.
- Luis Morales
- Mario Gomez
- Lester Ray
- Jose Martinez
- Doc Painter
- Danny D
- Walt Prey
We’ll be announcing the Hall of Fame class of 2022 award honor recipients this Friday at 5 p.m. on the Lowrider Garage video. Each inductee will have a bio and video featured on lowriderexperience.com and lowrider.com along with our You Tube and Facebook channels.
Additional Information for this super ceremony at the Las Vegas Super Show on Labor Day weekend, including reserved attendance, will be forthcoming. Thank you for all of your support everyone, this is our Hall of Fame.
Keyword: The Lowrider Hall of Fame Returns for 2022