SoCal has a car culture scene like no other. Not only do you see rough-around-the-edges classics still being used as daily drivers on the road, but nearly every weekend all summer long there is some kind of car show somewhere in the region.

Not only is the general SoCal “car culture” alive and vibrant, but there are so many sub-cultures represented that it’s nearly impossible to categorize them all. Still, let’s take a look at some of the biggest ones in the region.

Lowriders

One of the most quintessential San Diego and Los Angeles car scenes is the lowrider culture. And with so much careful, imaginative customization, it’s no wonder! From dramatic suspension upgrades allowing the cars to “bounce” and “walk” to stunning airbrushing on the exterior, these cars always draw a crowd. Shiny lowrider paint, shiny lowrider wheels, and luxe lowrider interiors are almost individual trends or their own!

Street Rods

As baby boomers and their parents started having enough disposable income to restore classic cars, the street rod scene really came into its own. This group of retro-car lovers are also partial to a stunning coat of candy-colored paint, but it’s with a whole different flair! Part restoration, part customization, the SoCal street rod scene is all about taking an already awesome antique car and making it sleeker, faster, and updated with modern convenience. It’s not uncommon to see electric windows, power brakes, updated powertrains and modern-style wheels.

Custom Imports

One of the newer cultures on the scene in SoCal is the custom import style. These are typically newer cars, often from economy brands such as Lexus and Honda, that have been customized and modified for looks and performance. Sometimes you see older models of imports at these shows and meetups, such as 70s era Datsuns (the former name of the Nissan brand), but the main participants are often 1990s and up. Often, these cars have been lowered, their suspensions and powertrains modified, and topped off with custom appearance elements like wheels, paint and lights.

These are just a taste of the vast number of car culture types in SoCal. This region is a goldmine of shows and like-minded enthusiasts for car lovers of any variety and leaning.

Featured Image: Flickr