New Mexico celebrates car culture with official recognition and community pride.

New Mexico lawmakers are celebrating lowrider cars and their importance to the state's culture. They are proposing to make the lowrider the official state vehicle, alongside the roadrunner as the state bird.

Lawmakers are also considering creating special license plates to honor lowriders and building a museum dedicated to them. They believe that lowriders are more than just cars; they are rolling works of art and a source of community pride.

Lowriders became popular in New Mexico in the 1960s, with the Española valley becoming known as the 'lowrider capital of the world.' These cars often feature customized paint jobs, hydraulics, and other unique modifications.

Lawmakers and enthusiasts emphasize that lowriding involves skills like mechanics and design, making it educational as well. They want to encourage young people to learn about the science and artistry behind these cars.

Lowriding is also a family tradition, with parents passing down their knowledge and passion to their children. This shared interest helps to strengthen family bonds and keep the lowrider culture alive in New Mexico.