<\/p>\n
A small fleet of lowrider cars revved their engines Sunday at Fort Lewis College as part of the Sociology Department\u2019s Save the Kids program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to bring a social, nontraditional event to FLC,\u201d said Brandon Stacy, a senior and intern for the program.<\/p>\n
A lowrider is a customized vehicle fitted with hydraulic systems that allow the car to rise and fall at the owner\u2019s command. The vehicles often feature custom painting and other details.<\/p>\n
The cars at FLC on Sunday were part of the Boulevard Knights Car Club, based in Bloomfield, New Mexico. The club mostly builds lowriders and participates in car showings and other events.<\/p>\n
Joe Alcantar, who founded the club, said he started building lowriders when he was 13. He said his interest in the cars stem from the fact lowriders are part of the Latino culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is part of my heritage,\u201d Alcantar said.<\/p>\n
Customizing lowriders are generally thought to have started in the mid 1940s in Los Angeles, gaining more popularity among the Latino culture throughout the 1970s and 1980s.<\/p>\n
Part of the allure of lowriders, Alcantar said, is the joy of riding a vehicle slow that\u2019s low to the ground, as well as the building process.<\/p>\n
Alcantar\u2019s son, David, said holding events like the one Sunday help breakdown stereotypes typically associated with people who drive lowriders.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people judge us, and think we\u2019re gangsters or troublemakers,\u201d he said. \u201cBut we take pride in our cars. This is a lifestyle we like.\u201d<\/p>\n
In all, club members say Boulevard Knights has more lowriders than members, about 15 custom made cars. Models can range anywhere from Cadillacs to Monte Carlos.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach car we do has our blood, sweat and tears,\u201d said Alcantar\u2019s other son, Joseph.<\/p>\n