Who Is the Lowrider in Pixar’s Cars?

The lowrider in Cars is Ramone. A flamboyant custom cruiser inspired by a 1959 Chevrolet Impala, Ramone owns Ramone’s House of Body Art in Radiator Springs, sports ever-changing paint jobs, and is voiced by Cheech Marin across the main films. His laid-back motto—“Low and slow”—and his deep ties to car culture make him one of the franchise’s standout personalities.

Character Overview

Ramone is introduced in Cars (2006) as Radiator Springs’ resident customizer and artist, renowned for transforming paint and bodywork into rolling art. He’s married to Flo, proprietor of Flo’s V8 Café, and serves as a cultural heartbeat for the town, embodying style, pride, and community. His role extends beyond aesthetics: Ramone is a champion of tradition and creativity, often lifting the spirits of his friends with a fresh coat and a fresh take.

Design and Inspiration

Ramone’s look is a love letter to classic lowrider culture—lowered stance, elegant hydraulics, and intricate pinstriping. While not licensed as a single exact model, his silhouette, tailfins, and proportions unmistakably reference the 1959 Chevy Impala, a platform iconic in the lowrider community for its expressive customization potential. The character celebrates the artistry, pride, and cruising ethos that have defined lowrider communities for decades.

Key Facts About Ramone

The following quick facts highlight Ramone’s identity, role, and cultural significance within the Cars universe.

• Name: Ramone
• Persona: Lowrider/customizer; owner of Ramone’s House of Body Art
• Voice: Cheech Marin (Cars, Cars 2, Cars 3, and subsequent appearances)
• Motto: “Low and slow”
• Signature Traits: Constantly changing paint schemes; expert pinstriping and body art
• Close Relationships: Married to Flo; friend and supporter of Lightning McQueen and the Radiator Springs community
• Visual Inspiration: Strongly influenced by the 1959 Chevrolet Impala

Taken together, these details underscore why Ramone is instantly recognizable: he blends eye-catching design with heart, humor, and an authentic nod to automotive subculture.

Where Ramone Appears

Ramone features regularly across the Cars franchise, providing continuity and flair as the series evolves.

• Cars (2006): Introduced as Radiator Springs’ custom paint artist; helps welcome Lightning McQueen to the town.
• Cars Toons: Mater’s Tall Tales (2008–2014): Appears in several shorts, offering comic relief and signature style.
• Cars 2 (2011): Joins the international adventure, showcasing new paint looks in global settings.
• Cars 3 (2017): Returns to support Lightning and the Radiator Springs crew as times change.
• Cars on the Road (2022): Appears in the Disney+ series, continuing his role as a community pillar and artist.

Across films and series, Ramone’s presence remains a vibrant throughline, reinforcing the franchise’s sense of place and tradition.

Lowrider Culture in Context

Lowrider culture, rooted in Mexican American communities and later embraced worldwide, centers on customization, cruising, and creativity—values Ramone embodies. From hydraulic setups to elaborate paint and pinstriping, the emphasis is on personal expression and communal pride. By channeling this culture respectfully and joyfully, Ramone helps mainstream audiences appreciate its craftsmanship and spirit.

Summary

Ramone is the lowrider in Cars—a style-forward, community-minded customizer whose artistry and attitude exemplify “low and slow.” Voiced by Cheech Marin and inspired by the ’59 Impala, he’s both a fan favorite and a cultural ambassador, bringing color, history, and heart to Radiator Springs and the wider Cars universe.

What is the lowrider’s name in Cars?

The most iconic and widely recognized lowrider is the 1964 Chevrolet Impala, though other classic cars like the 1959 Chevrolet Impala, Cadillacs, Lincolns, and Buick Rivieras are also popular choices for lowrider customization.
 
Key Cars in Lowrider Culture:

• Chevrolet Impala: The second-generation Impala, particularly the 1961–1964 models, became a prototypical lowrider, with the 1959 model also being a popular choice for its distinctive tail fins. 
• Other Sedans: American sedans from the 1940s and 1950s, such as Mercury models, were early bases for lowrider customization. 
• Cadillac and Lincoln: These luxury cars, from various eras, have also been frequently used in lowrider builds. 
• Buick Riviera and Monte Carlo: As the style evolved, Buick Rivieras and Monte Carlos became popular choices. 

The Origin of the “Lowrider”: 

• Lowriding began with Mexican American youth in the 1940s, who customized cars with hydraulics to lower their bodies, creating an aesthetic that became a strong cultural symbol.

What are all the characters in Cars?

Lightning McQueenOwen Wilson MaterLarry the Cable Guy, Michel Fortin, Fan Wei Doc HudsonPaul Newman Chick HicksMichael Keaton Sally CarreraBonnie Hunt RamoneCheech Marin (function(){
(this||self).Bqpk9e=function(f,d,n,e,k,p){var g=document.getElementById(f);if(g&&(g.offsetWidth!==0||g.offsetHeight!==0)){var l=g.querySelector(“div”),h=l.querySelector(“div”),a=0;f=Math.max(l.scrollWidth-l.offsetWidth,0);if(d>0&&(h=h.children,a=h[d].offsetLeft-h[0].offsetLeft,e)){for(var m=a=0;m
Cars/Characters

How old is Ramon in Cars?

Ramone – 1959. Luigi – 1959. Flo – 1956. Red – “1950s”

What is Ramone’s catchphrase in Cars?

This is another reference to his catchphrase, “Low N’ Slow”. According to The World of Cars Online, the name of Ramone’s dark green paint job is “Grass Green”, the name of his blue paint job is “Blue Sky”, and the name of his “Mellow Sunset” paint job is renamed to “Yellow Mellow”.