Lowrider

As Lowrider, Jumpcar or Low Low (especially in the African-American scene), cars, mostly sedans or convertibles, refer to operations where the bodywork at the front wheels and each wheel suspension can be raised individually by means of electrically operated hydraulic or pneumatic pumps. In America often take place Lowrider Hopping Competitions. The principle is simple: Whose car jumps the highest wins. Is measured at the wheels of the front axle.

General Information on Lowrider

By appropriate control, it is possible that the car with the front axle, the rear axle or each wheel individually hops ( hence the name Bouncer ). Popular with the fans are cars from the period of the 1960s and 1970s, mostly Chevrolets and Cadillacs. Especially Chevrolet Impalas from the 60s are popular, with the 1964 Impala in Lowriderkreisen is considered a " true Lowrider ".

Technology

Depending on the basic concept of Lowriders different hopping systems are used. The classic lowrider works by means of hydraulic pumps, which work similar to the hydropneumatic Citroën DS. In the trunk there are several electric motors and pumps, over which the oil pressure is generated by the hydraulic cylinders be an extended or retracted. Are controlled electric motors with switches and relays, so the car is brought to jump and dance. The electrically driven pumps require a large amount of energy that is provided by several, usually also accommodated in the trunk batteries. Often there is a whole bunch of batteries to ensure a consistent power supply. The more power is available, the faster the movement of the car can be. Another advantage of multiple batteries is the high weight, only in this way are characters like "Three wheel motion" ( drive on three wheels ) possible. Weight also affects the trunk not negligible the jump height at the front axle. Some " Hopper " can be easily lifted at the front of a person. The voltage of the battery packs is from 12 V to 96 V.

In addition to these components are the Spring springs to press the cylinder, crucial to the movement. Both by the hardness of the springs as well as by their length, the ability to move lowrider is strongly influenced. Often, however, the possibilities are limited by the design of the vehicle, so here compromises must be made.

Categories

In Germany, the Lowrider will be divided into five categories.

Fat Dancer

As Fat Dancer all (theoretically) fully drivable vehicles apply with a weight of 1400 kg. Most Fat Dancer vehicles are American made with total weights of up to 2.8 tonnes. But there are also various modifications based on the " German - full-size " vehicles, such as Mercedes S-Class, or the legendary "big three" of Opel, incurred by the Captain / Admiral / Diplomat of the A and B series. They dominate depending on the basic concept of the diverse characters. Some of these Lowrider are only to sedate movements and dance routines capable of spectacular others against.

Dancer

As a Dancer all vehicles fully drivable apply with a weight up to 1400 kg. Since it naturally are few vehicles in this weight class, conversions based on Opel Rekord and Monza, Ford Taunus and Granada, VW Golf and Beetle, as well as satellite and Mercedes / 8 have been established in Germany. They dominate depending on the basic concept as the Fat Dancer wide variety of figures. Some of these Lowrider are only to sedate movements and dance routines capable of spectacular others against.

Radicals

This type of Lowrider are particularly "radical" movements capable. As a basis as light as possible vehicles whose engines, transmissions and interiors of weight and space savings are to be omitted in favor of hydraulic and batteries. With shows wins, who shows the most spectacular movements and figures with the vehicle. Extra points and audience sympathies reaps who puts his Lowrider during the show on the roof or completely destroyed. However Basically, these vehicles are more models, since they no longer are mostly ready to go.

Show and Shine

In this category, vehicles of all weight classes are included. These Lowrider are fully mobile. But they are prepared with love and care and are presented mainly motionless. They impress with fancy finishes and an elegant interior design. This Lowrider are mostly transported by trailer to the meetings or shows, because they are too bad to drive on the one hand, on the other hand have no street legal in Germany with a few exceptions. Therefore, they are often referred to as a "Trailer Queen".

Hopper

Hopper as vehicles are referred to which are capable on the front axle to extremely high jumps. Lowrider this category are rare in Germany.

Lowrider in Germany

In Germany since the late 1990s own Lowriderszene developed. The size of the German and European fan base is not to be compared with the U.S., but the quality of the conversions is enough readily approached the Americans.

In addition to classic German automobile brands Opel, VW, Audi and Mercedes also vehicles of other manufacturers such as Honda, Fiat, Renault are a happy commissioned basis for conversion to Lowrider. The so-called " Euros" (even if this is in order, for example, Japanese vehicles) have the advantage that they can get cheaper in Europe and maintain than American vehicles. However, the American faction within the scene is therefore not smaller. Vehicles, the manufacturer Chevrolet, Buick, Lincoln, Cadillac and others are represented here.

It's been a few years no longer a problem to acquire the necessary hydraulic parts directly in Germany. Various well-known American manufacturers have authorized dealer, where at any time parts can be purchased. There is also the opportunity to be there to build a lowrider, but this is frowned upon from the perspective of most Lowriderbesitzer. The way to build a lowrider that works reliable in operation, is the main target.

Lowrider in public

A development which was accompanied by the emergence of the scene, was the discovery of the Lowriders as a show object. Particular share has thereon the G.L.C.A. ( German Lowrider Challenge Association) from Herten. In addition to performances on automotive meeting and also measure pure Lowridershows be performed on the American model. At these events, ask yourself the Lowriderpiloten the evaluation by an expert jury and the audience. Similar to Figure skating, lead the owners with their Lowrider a show before, in which they leave their cars to "dance ". The jury will evaluate the figures shown with notes and the audience decides by applause at the success of each show acts. The winners of these competitions, graduated according to the categories, then set the " lowrider master" of the current year.

Furthermore, Lowrider also a much-used prop in American and European hip-hop and rap videos. Even in the areas of product presentation, corporate events to wedding parties can meet in public at a lowrider.