Torres Empire LA Car Show 2011

The majority of our staff were still teenagers when the last major lowrider show took place in Los Angeles. These were the days the Super Show was still in LA before moving to Vegas. This was the height of lowriding. Rap artists drove them in their videos; everyone wanted to own one.

Though things have changed over time, those true to the scene held on to the hope that one day another major event would indeed take place in LA. Though many had tried unsuccessfully in years past, Sam Torres of the Torres Empire was able to make it happen. Through lots of hard work and partnerships with major entities in the scene and the city, Torres was able to pull it off.

All of the heavy hitters were there. Vehicles from our childhood days – vehicles that have been stored away for years – saw the lights of a car show again. We were excited to see many OG rides such as Las Vegas, Dressed to Kill, and Penthouse present and shining like they just rolled out of the paint booth. New rides like Albert De Alba’s Best of Show Elite 63 Impala named El Rey had us buzzing about the future.

The Los Angeles Convention Center was dripping in candy paint inside and out. So much chrome and gold was decorating each vehicle that you needed a pair of shades – even indoors! There was such exquisite artistry there that we were happy not to have the impossible task of judging and having to select winners.

This show will go down in the history books. We were truly blessed to have been invited to be a part of it. Many thanks to Sam Torres and The Torres Empire for having us out and for bringing a major show back to LA.