THE AMERICAN LOWRIDER WIRE WHEEL
Made In The U.S.A
Article C.A. 8/9/10
Photos: Ismael Garcia
American made wire wheels designed for lowriders are becoming a luxury of the past due to China ’s initiative to flood the lowrider market with lower priced, poor quality wire wheels. China is currently selling more lowrider wire wheels than all five original U.S. based wire wheel companies combined.
Not only are domestic wire wheel makers such as Dayton, McLean, Zenith, True Spoke and Roadster effected by this, but so is the imperial standards of lowriding.
Both Dayton and McLean have downsized their lowrider wire wheel stock, while Roadster appears to have abandoned its production of 13 inch lowrider wheels.
Zenith of California, an exclusively all American lowrider wire wheel company recently pulled the plug on its website and appears to have seized wheel production after 40 years of lowriding excellence.
As for True Spoke, the company still produces its original selection of cross wire wheels, but it's focus is no longer on lowriders. Neither is Dayton, McLean or Roadster. The companies are now focusing on developing great quality wire wheels for vintage cars, expensive classic euro's, street rods and even custom motorcycles.
Many lowrider enthusiast criticize Dayton, McLean and other American wire wheel makers for turning their backs on lowriders.
Dayton recently responded to critics by posting a comment on LayitLow.com, a popular lowrider social forum. A Dayton representative stated that the company could no longer afford to sponsor lowrider events due to their dyeing lowrider wheel market.
Dayton also stated that it is nearly impossible to produce high quality wire wheels and sell them for a low price. Doing so would require them to lower their high quality standards, a change they are not willing to make.
As for what some authentic lowrider aficionados think about China's cheaply made, second-rate wire wheels? Thanks, but no thanks China. We’ll remain patient and shop for the best American made lowrider wire wheel money can buy.
RELATED LINKS
LOWRIDER LEGACIES - A Paramount Chronology
Decline of the Personal Luxury Coupe
Lowrider History - The Good Old Lowrider Controversy
"Shoot Em Up" - Bonnie & Clyde Historical Reenactment
Pachuco Car Club - Club Interview & Photo Revision
OLD MEMORIES CAR CLUB - West Coast & Borderland Revision
Matching Numbers - 1979 Mercury Marquis
By. T.L. Glen
The Legacy of Lowriders and Chicano Art
LEO RIVERA - El Paso's Lowrider Phenomena
LEO RIVERA MEMORIAL 2010 - Six year anniversary of his passing
KEY WORDS
Dayton Wire Wheel, McLean Wire Wheel, Zenith Wire Wheel, Roadster Wire Wheel, True Spoke Wire Wheel