Incredible pictures show how Lowriding culture has been embraced across the world 

 A Texas man has spent 17 years travelling the world researching how different cultures have embraced Lowriding – the practice of lowering cars, painting them in brightly colored, bold designs and driving them ‘low and slow’.

Lowriding originated in Los Angeles in the 1950s, but Luke Dorsett has seen the cars, and the fanatics, in Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and China.

Dorsett says it was his time in Japan that inspired him to share what he had seen with the world, and release his photographs – some of which have been published on Facebook and on his website – in a book.

‘I was walking in the street late night in Hiroshima and happened to see a 1964 Chevy Impala Convertible Lowrider parked in front of a convenience store with its engine running,’ he said. 

‘I waited for about 10 minutes until the owner and his friend came out, interested to see what kind of person owned the car. To my surprise the owner looked very similar to me. [He had a] shaved head like myself at the time, and a similar type of clothing.’

When Dorsett questioned the man about his car, he was told to ask the man who built the vehicle. The 38-year-old went to meet him the next day, and decided to start looking for other countries that had embraced Lowriding.

Though he’s travelled the world, Dorsett has been back to Japan 11 more times, and become immersed in how the country has taken Lowriding and turned it into something of their own.  

‘You have two cultures that are into handcrafted art, they’re both very oriented to detail,’ he told CNN. 

He said while Japan was initially importing pre-designed Lowriders from California, the designs on the cars began to reflect Japanese culture.   

‘When it first started in Japan, the cars would go over there and look exactly the same as in America. They wouldn’t modify them or change them that much, so the artwork on the cars would look like they were Chicano.’

‘What ended up happening later was the artwork would depict the owner. They started putting their own twist on it. That’s been exciting to see.’

Luke Dorsett has been chronicling how cultures around the world have embraced Lowriding (pictured: an elaborate set up of vividly painted 70s cars at the Nagoya Super Show)

Japan has heavily embraced the culture, which originated in Los Angeles. A club called the Pharoahs is full of members fully immersed in Lowriding, from the cars to the fashion and the music (pictured: Mr Habu of the Pharaohs Car Club on the freeway early morning in Nagoya)

Japan has heavily embraced the culture, which originated in Los Angeles. A club called the Pharoahs is full of members fully immersed in Lowriding, from the cars to the fashion and the music (pictured: Mr Habu of the Pharaohs Car Club on the freeway early morning in Nagoya)

Dorsett says while people in Japan were originally importing pre-designed American Lowriders, the designs have begun to reflect Japanese culture (pictured: A blue Impala outside a garage in Matsudo, Japan)

Dorsett says while people in Japan were originally importing pre-designed American Lowriders, the designs have begun to reflect Japanese culture (pictured: A blue Impala outside a garage in Matsudo, Japan)

Dorsett says he's seen the culture take off around the world, in places like Taiwan and Brazil (pictured: Brazilian Lowriders take a cruise through Sao Paulo neighborhoods)

Dorsett says he’s seen the culture take off around the world, in places like Taiwan and Brazil (pictured: Brazilian Lowriders take a cruise through Sao Paulo neighborhoods)

While some choose to paint their cars in ostentatious colors and patterns, some try to stick to the original design of the car

While some choose to paint their cars in ostentatious colors and patterns, some try to stick to the original design of the car

Pictured: Luke Dorsett, 38, who spent years travelling the world looking for Lowriders. He plans to release his incredible photographs in a book

Pictured: Luke Dorsett, 38, who spent years travelling the world looking for Lowriders. He plans to release his incredible photographs in a book

In some areas, the cars sit in stark contrast to their surroundings (pictured: A 63 Impala parked in the Favela of Sao Paulo Brazil, next to the railroad tracks)

In some areas, the cars sit in stark contrast to their surroundings (pictured: A 63 Impala parked in the Favela of Sao Paulo Brazil, next to the railroad tracks)

While Lowriding originated in California, the practice isn't exclusive to the state. Pictured is a car 'hopping' in a parking lot in Phoenix, Arizona, where Dorsett now lives

While Lowriding originated in California, the practice isn’t exclusive to the state. Pictured is a car ‘hopping’ in a parking lot in Phoenix, Arizona, where Dorsett now lives

Orlie Coca RIP, considered the godfather of hydraulics, receives a 1964 Impala at his home in Phoenix

Orlie Coca RIP, considered the godfather of hydraulics, receives a 1964 Impala at his home in Phoenix

Pictured: different models of the 1964 Impala inside a garage in Los Angeles  

Pictured: different models of the 1964 Impala inside a garage in Los Angeles  

A brazilian woman poses in a 1947 Chevy with the La Virgin de Guadalupe sticker seen over her shoulder. La Virgin de Guadalupe is often placed in vehicles and on tattoos for protection

A brazilian woman poses in a 1947 Chevy with the La Virgin de Guadalupe sticker seen over her shoulder. La Virgin de Guadalupe is often placed in vehicles and on tattoos for protection

Dorsett was so enthralled by the Lowrider culture in Japan when he arrived he returned 11 more times

Dorsett was so enthralled by the Lowrider culture in Japan when he arrived he returned 11 more times

The practice and artistry of Lowriding is so widely accepted in Japan that shows are held for owners to display their cars

The practice and artistry of Lowriding is so widely accepted in Japan that shows are held for owners to display their cars

Many countries have not just embraced the cars, but also the fashion of the Los Angeles Lowriders (pictured: Guadalupe Car and Bike Club in Santiago, Chile)

Many countries have not just embraced the cars, but also the fashion of the Los Angeles Lowriders (pictured: Guadalupe Car and Bike Club in Santiago, Chile)

Friends are seen gathering around a soon-to-be restored '63 Impala, discussing what they will do with the car

Friends are seen gathering around a soon-to-be restored ’63 Impala, discussing what they will do with the car

In Japan, classically restored Impalas are seen lined up for a car show

In Japan, classically restored Impalas are seen lined up for a car show

Things are different at the Nagoya super show, where three members of a car club are seen posing in front of their cars, wearing clothing similar to American Lowriders

Things are different at the Nagoya super show, where three members of a car club are seen posing in front of their cars, wearing clothing similar to American Lowriders

The distinctive style has taken off around the world, with one man in Japan showing off his tattooed knuckles 

The distinctive style has taken off around the world, with one man in Japan showing off his tattooed knuckles 

Pictured: A man works on his car in Chiba, Japan

Pictured: A man works on his car in Chiba, Japan



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