Riding Low, Rising High
Sandy Avila | Lady Lowriders
Sandy Avila, Lady Lowriders
NHM Online Presents L.A. on Wheels, an online series celebrating the diversity of Los Angeles and its people through the lens of creative modes of transportation.
Born and raised in Pasadena, Sandy Avila’s connection to Los Angeles runs deep—especially when it comes to its legendary car culture. “L.A. has a huge car culture,” she says, reflecting on the energy, pride, and artistry that define the scene. Navigating what she calls a “man-dominated world” has shaped her experience and strengthened her bond with the city.
Introduced to lowriders by her father and later her husband, Sandy’s passion grew into a lifelong commitment. Today, as president of the Lady Lowrider Car Club, she continues to champion women’s presence and leadership in the community. Watch the video below to learn more about Sandy’s story.
Rooted in Lowrider Culture
Before founding Lady Lowriders, Sandy was already deeply rooted in the lowrider scene. Some of her earliest memories are of riding in her father’s cars, with family outings often leading to cruise nights in Old Town Pasadena, where they soaked in the sights and sounds of the culture. Naturally, Sandy grew up at ease within the lifestyle of riding low and celebrating community. Even after her father sold his cars, his friends continued to gather, their visits keeping the tradition alive and the connection strong.
Growing up, my dad had lowriders. He built lowriders. He worked on them. He was a car guy… I remember him having friends come over with their lowriders and just seeing them around the community.
Courtesy of Sandy Avila
Simply Beautiful, Sandy's Oldsmobile, in front of Pasadena City Hall.
Courtesy of Sandy Avila
A young Raul Ramirez, Sandy's father, poses with his lowrider.
Courtesy of Sandy Avila
Baby Sandy Avila sitting in the drivers seat of her dad's lowrider.
Courtesy of Sandy Avila
Baby Sandy Avila and her mom, Joanna Jimenez, lean against the front of her mom's Regal.
It was about eight years ago, when her husband began purchasing and working on his own lowriders, that Sandy began playing with the idea of buying her own. He provided the motivation that Sandy needed to get into her own car and work to create not just her own ride but to carve out her space in this male-dominated field.
I went out cruising with him one day in his car, and I just thought, I need my own. The whole ‘passenger princess’ thing wasn’t for me. So I got my own car, built it up, and the rest is history.
Courtesy of Sandy Avila
Sandy had inspired her father, Raul, to get back into lowriders. Pictured his current lowrider.
Courtesy of Sandy Avila
About eight years ago, David Avila, Sandy's husband, purchased his lowrider motivating Sandy to do the same. Pictured is David's lowrider.
Courtesy of Sandy Avila
Sandy Avila with Simply Beautiful, her 1984 Oldsmobile, at car show.
Simply Beautiful
Sandy’s first car, a 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, has been her “baby” for the past eight years. She has poured extensive work into customizing the vehicle, affectionately named Simply Beautiful, adding hydraulics, pinstriping, leafing, and a fully chromed suspension. With the exception of the interior seats, every part of Simply Beautiful has been rebuilt or upgraded, reflecting Sandy’s deep connection to and love for her lowrider. Its elegance is a true testament to the dedication and craftsmanship she has invested. That work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Simply Beautiful was featured in the Petersen Automotive Museum’s temporary lowrider exhibit, Best in Low: Lowrider Icons of the Street and Show, where many had the chance to admire her creation.
My 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme has hydraulics, pinstripe leafing, full chrome suspension… everything’s been rebuilt and upgraded, except the interior seats… It’s always been about the upgrades, and it’s going to continue to be that...
Simply Beautiful's lowrider plaque showing the Lady Lowrider car club name.
Simply Beautiful's elegant pinstriping on display.
Simply Beautiful showing off the hydraulic work Sandy's customized.
Building More Than Just Cars
It wasn’t just Simply Beautiful that Sandy set out to build, but also a space in a community where women were too often seen as accessories to lowriders, rather than as owners and builders. She went on to found the Lady Lowrider Car Club, a collective for women who share her passion for cars and hydraulics. The club fosters a strong sense of sisterhood, motivating members to support one another in their builds. Beyond that bond, the Lady Lowriders are deeply committed to giving back: organizing annual toy drives, food donations, and participating in community events. In doing so, they make their presence known and raise awareness that women not only belong in lowrider culture but can shape and lead it.
We do an annual toy drive and each year one of our members chooses an organization in their city to donate to... Last year it was Make-A-Wish. This year we even got the whole club out for Día de los Muertos... For us, it’s about giving back and making a difference together...
Courtesy of Lady Lowriders
Lowrider magazine cover featuring Lady Lowriders.
Courtesy of Sandy Avila
Lady Lowrider member, Mel, selected Make-A-Wish as the organization they donated to this past year.
Courtesy of Sandy Avila
Santa at the Lady Lowrider toy drive in 2024.
A Family Affair
Sandy’s love for lowriders is rooted in family tradition, passed down from her father, who built and rode his own cars and motorcycles. Reflecting on her childhood, she recalls watching him work not just on his lowriders but also his motorcycles. Today, Sandy continues that legacy by involving her own children in the culture. She makes an active effort to include her daughters in her work. Her son has even learned welding and car work alongside her husband, turning their shared passion into what she calls a “whole family function”—and perhaps even a future career path for him.
I try to bring my kids around and be part of the culture and the scene. My son has his little lowrider bike and works on the cars with my husband—he’s even welding now and says he wants to be a welder.
Courtesy of Sandy Avila
Next Generation of Lady Lowriders pose together at a car show.
Courtesy of Lady Lowriders
Sandy Avila poses with her husband and their children.
Courtesy of Sandy Avila
Sandy poses with her kids, David Jr. and Evette, that love the lowrider culture just as much as she does.
Courtesy of Sandy Avila
Sandy's husband, David, and son, David Jr., working on his lowrider bike together.
Keep on Rollin'
Want to learn more about Sandy and the Lady Lowriders? Stay connected by following them on Instagram for updates, special events, and the latest. And don’t miss out on their community rides—keep an ear out and join in for a fun ride through the city!
Do you know another Angeleno who connects with their community on wheels? We want to hear from you! Join the conversation on social media and tag us @NHMLA with #LAonWheels.
