Latina teacher’s lowrider turns heads, breaks stigma at California State Fair

A honey-gold 1967 Chevrolet Impala sits on a fluffy pink carpet, illuminated by the fluorescent lighting of a Cal Expo exhibition building. The lowrider belongs to Adrianna Echeverria, an elementary school teacher in Fallbrook, California. Her lowrider is displayed alongside other tricked-out cars in the CaLOWfornia Love exhibit at the California State Fair.

It’s not Echeverrias first car though, that title belongs to a 1987 Mitsubishi Mighty Max she bought when she was 16. Purchased with her own money, she made sure the mini truck was complete with McLean wheels, an Alpine stereo and speakers.

But the truck didn’t help her fit in at community college that, she said, lacked a significant Latina community — so she sold it. After graduation, her teaching career made her hesitant to get her own lowrider again, fearing how it would be perceived.

“Lowriding and teaching did not mix,” Echeverria said. “The whole image of lowriding was not a positive one.”

Lowriding emerged post-World War II in the Mexican-American community of Southern California and continued to gain momentum throughout the ‘40s and ‘50s. At the same time, stereotyping of the cars and those that drove them ran rampant.

Oftentimes lowriding was associated with criminal and gang activity in spite of the rich culture and artistry behind the vehicles. At one point, lowriding was even outlawed throughout the state after lawmakers passed a bill allowing cities to pass anti-cruising ordinances.

In recent years, legislative changes locally and throughout the state that legalized lowriding cruising are helping lowriders break the stigma and groups including the Sacramento Lowrider Commission lead the way.

This effort and Echeverria’s strong community ties is part of the reason she thinks she was chosen to be featured at the fair.

The SLC, which organized the exhibit at the State Fair, fights stereotypes through community events, service and outreach. Francine Mata, president and co-founder of the SLC, said the exhibit is another way to combat stereotypes by emphasizing family, culture and female riders.

“It’s a celebration,” Mata said. “It’s cultural pride.”

Back to cruising

While she always enjoyed going to car shows and often cruised in her fiance, Jose “Junior” Lopez’s car, at 50, Echeverria ended her over three decade hiatus from owning a lowrider herself.

She purchased a 1970 Impala, but never fell in love with the vehicle. Luckily, a few years later, she found love at first sight with the gold ‘67 now on display at the State Fair. She isn’t even sure where the money came from to purchase the car, but the timing, which she credits to God, was just right.

A hit and run months after getting the car didn’t even dampen Echeverria’s enthusiasm. She quickly repaired the car and got it back on the road — motivated by a promise to her late mother that she would always continue moving forward.

“Even though you’re damaged doesn’t mean you can’t come out beautiful,” Echeverria said. “She was damaged, she had her flaws, the whole paint cracked — but look at what she is now.”

The car is aptly named “monedita de oro” or little gold coin and features a custom license plate that translates to “forever moving forward” to honor its past and Echeverria’s mother.

“When I’m in the car and I see that, she is always with me, she is always cruising with me,” Echeverria said.

The custom plate is also a nod to the positive impact cruising has on her mental health. As a teacher, she said she is constantly thinking about what comes next and cruising helps her escape reality.

“It is just something about being behind that wheel that helps me deal with life,” she said.

It’s all in the details

At the State Fair, golden butterflies, signs, pictures and a blue mini bike complete Echeverria’s display.

She carefully picked signs she hopes will help those struggling with their mental health who see the exhibit.

“Sometimes, just one little message can change the way you think.” she said. “It could be the one thing that you need.”

A picture frame leaning on the side of the car features an image of Echeverria holding her masters degree in education administration from Concordia University.

In 2012, when she got her degree, she wasn’t able to celebrate. Her mom was in the hospital battling ovarian cancer and died shortly after. Now, by displaying this photo with her car, she celebrates with anyone who walks by.

A blue and gold mini bike behind the ‘67 belongs to her 12 year-old son, Jayden “JJ” Lopez ,12, who Echeverria joked was born into lowriding. It has helped him learn responsibility, she said, as it requires him to keep his bike clean and presentable.

She encourages Jayden and other young people to follow their heart. While she has no regrets about her own break from lowriding, she said others shouldn’t have to do the same.

“I don’t want other people to have to wait until they’re 50 to do what they love,” Echeverria said.

The CaLowfornia Love exhibit is open during the extent of the fair, until July 27 in the Expo Center.

This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM.