I had missed a few get togethers the Viejitos Car Club of AZ had hosted in the last couple years. A couple were due to schedule conflicts, others because I just didn't know they were happening, and more recently due to a rain cancellation. I wasn't going to miss this picnic/show and shine! It was also my first Lowrider show for 2012...so by April I was aching for some Low & Slow.
Viejitos (Old Guys...in this case, Cars) are an old school club with traditional cars...every car guy from of every stripe should dig and appreciate these fine rides. They have chapters all over the country. I saw plates from all over the Southwest and one from Oklahoma. There were a few riders from other local clubs as well.
Given I only had about a 2 hour window, I took my kids along knowing they could go that distance. Acutally, they really enjoyed it and took a lot of photos themselves...not too bad either. It wanted to rain the whole time we were there, with a few drops actually falling and then as we were packing up our gear to head out, the sun broke through and I had to make a quick back track and reshoot a couple rides in the nicer sunlight.
Check 'em out...
This mural on wheels is Mr. Gato's '51 Chevy and it's incredible!! I first saw this car back in 2010 at the big Lowrider Magazine show/tour in Phoenix and I've wanted another opportunity to shoot the car ever since. Back then, Mr Gato, the Prez of the Arizona Chapter, gave me a bumper to bumper tour and invited me to get behind the wheel for a better interior view where the incredible paint continues to flow. He's a hell of a cool cat, but I didn't not get a chance to talk to him at this show.
 |
| This '54 wagon came all the way out from Oklahoma. |
I call this...."Mexican Blanket Sunset"...though it was only about two in the afternoon...artistic license, I think they call that...or Photoshop.
!Viva Viejitos!
Go to a Lowrider show!
Have a great Cinco de Mayo!
I dig it man!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael! That means a lot.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Bill! The photos look great! Gato's car is a rolling piece of art! I shot it a couple of years ago here in LA right when he opened the AZ chapter.
ReplyDeleteHey Jae Bueno! Yes, Gato's Chevy is a mural on wheels, I actually saw him on the road just yesterday... I almost flipped a ...U-Turn and followed him...the ride is hypnotic. Thanks a lot Jae...hope to see you soon!
ReplyDeleteWow going thru your pics i come across mr.gato's ride..back in 2010 on my way to cali from texas.i stopped at a filler station in pheonix to fuel up. i was amazed to see this chevy pull up all muraled out.i was like wow.i just had to check it out.i my self was rollin in a clean 95 fleetwood rollin on 14's with white walls..has i was checkin it out,he asked me were i was rollin to.i said califas..he said orale'follow each other.i said cool..from there we cruised it and one thing for sure that chevy can roll..the dude is a real cool dude..much respect mr.Gato
ReplyDeleteYeah, Michael...Mr Gato is a cool guy indeed!
ReplyDelete