An ongoing exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, features an iconic vehicle depicted on the Postal Service’s Lowriders stamps.
The bilingual exhibit, “Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture,” contains photographs, displays and artifacts from the 80-year history of Mexican Americans throughout the Southwest showcasing their heritage, artistic skills and craftmanship by transforming ordinary cars into extraordinary works of art.
The Postal Service featured five well-known cars on its Lowriders stamps, which were dedicated March 13 in San Diego. One of them, a 1963 Chevrolet Impala known as “El Rey,” is on display at the museum.
Three generations of the De Alba family built “El Rey” over six years. Named after a song made famous in part by Mexican singer Vicente Fernández, the car features air-brushed and painted murals, a digital dashboard, custom candy-red paint and etched chrome details.
“I put every ounce of my knowledge into that vehicle,” lowrider builder Albert De Alba Sr. said in a documentary made by the Los Angeles-based Petersen Automotive Museum.
A second lowrider displayed in the exhibit, “Gypsy Rose,” was featured in the 1970s television show “Chico and the Man,” and in the 1979 film “Boulevard Nights.”
“Gypsy Rose” was built by Jesse Valadez Sr., Gilbert Valadez, Walt Prey and Don Heckman. The car was placed on the National Historic Vehicle Register in 2017.
Nicole Mattson and Felecia Martinez, who live in Española, NM — the city that bills itself as the “Lowrider Capital of the World” — recently visited the exhibit at the National Museum of American History.
“The lowrider culture just speaks out for us. It reflects our heritage, and it shows the respect and the artistry that the builders put into their cars,” Martinez said.
“Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture” also includes a traveling exhibit that runs through July 2029.
The Lowriders stamps are on sale at Post Offices and usps.com.
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