Identifying the Lowrider in Pixar’s Cars

The lowrider in Cars is Ramone, and he’s modeled on a customized 1959 Chevrolet Impala—famous in real-life car culture as a quintessential platform for lowrider builds with hydraulics and bold paintwork. Ramone runs the body shop in Radiator Springs and embodies classic lowrider aesthetics throughout the franchise.

Who Is Ramone in the Cars Universe?

Introduced in Pixar’s 2006 film Cars and returning in subsequent installments, Ramone is the flamboyant paint and body specialist who owns Ramone’s House of Body Art. Voiced by Cheech Marin, he’s often seen switching paint jobs and demonstrating the bounce and stance of a fully customized lowrider, reflecting his inspiration from mid-century Chevrolet Impalas—particularly the 1959 model.

Why the 1959 Chevrolet Impala?

The 1959 Chevy Impala is iconic in lowrider culture thanks to its long, sweeping lines, broad rear deck, and dramatic tailfins—all features that translate well into custom paint, pinstriping, and hydraulic setups. Pixar’s design team leaned into these cues for Ramone, giving him the look and motion vocabulary of a classic boulevard cruiser.

Key Features That Tie Ramone to the ’59 Impala

The following points highlight the visual and cultural elements that connect Ramone to a 1959 Chevrolet Impala and to lowrider heritage more broadly.

• Body lines and proportions: A low, wide stance with elongated rear quarters reminiscent of late-’50s Impalas.
• Custom paint and pinstriping: Ever-changing, high-flake, multi-layer paint jobs typical of show-quality lowriders.
• Hydraulics: On-screen “hopping” and adjustable ride height, a hallmark of lowrider builds.
• Cultural nods: Ramone’s style, music cues, and cruising ethos reflect the Chicano lowrider scene that popularized Impala customs.
• Shop role: As a body and paint expert, he personifies the artistry central to lowrider culture.

Taken together, these design choices make Ramone instantly recognizable as a 1959 Chevrolet Impala-inspired lowrider, both honoring real-world car culture and serving the character’s role in the story.

Context Within the Franchise

Across Cars, Cars 2, and Cars 3, Ramone maintains his lowrider identity: fluid ride height, expressive paint schemes, and a show-car persona. While Pixar stylizes all characters for animation, Ramone’s silhouette and detailing consistently point back to the ’59 Impala archetype.

Summary

Ramone, the lowrider in Pixar’s Cars, is based on a customized 1959 Chevrolet Impala. His design—low stance, hydraulics, and elaborate paint—faithfully channels classic lowrider culture and cements his role as Radiator Springs’ resident customizer.

What type of car is a lowrider?

A lowrider isn’t a single car model but a customized vehicle—often a classic American car or truck—with a lowered suspension and various aesthetic modifications like candy-colored paint, chrome, and wire-spoke wheels. These modifications are often achieved with hydraulic or air-ride systems that allow the car’s height to be adjusted, enabling it to “bounce” or achieve specific stances. The term “lowrider” also refers to the owner and their participation in the car club culture, which is a significant part of Mexican-American and broader Latin American culture.
 
Key Characteristics:

• Lowered Suspension: The defining feature is a significantly lowered chassis, made possible by modifying the stock suspension. 
• Hydraulic Systems: Often, a hydraulic or air-ride system is installed, which allows the car to be raised and lowered, sometimes rapidly. 
• Custom Aesthetics: Lowriders are known for their artistic customization, including: 
  • Intricate Paint Jobs: Candy-coated paints with metallic flakes are common. 
  • Unique Features: Pinstriping, murals, emphasized chrome finishes, fender skirts, and smaller wire-spoke wheels with whitewall tires are frequently seen. 
  • Interior Upgrades: Custom upholstery using materials like velour or leather is also a popular enhancement. 
• Cultural Symbolism: Lowriding is more than just a car modification; it is a cultural art form and a community activity with deep roots in Mexican-American culture, according to this YouTube video. 

Vehicles Used:
While originally focused on classic American cars, almost any type of vehicle can be turned into a lowrider, including: 

• Sedans and muscle cars
• Trucks and minivans
• Even sports cars and supercars have adopted lowered suspension, although the cultural aspect is different from the lowrider tradition.

Is sheriff a Ford or Mercury?

Sheriff is a 1949 Mercury Police Cruiser that is painted black and white, with the Radiator Springs Police Department badge on both of his doors.

What is the most famous lowrider car?

Gypsy Rose
“Gypsy Rose,” the most recognizable lowrider car in the world, was the brainchild of Jesse Valadez, founder of Imperials Car Club in East Los Angeles.

What car is the lowrider in cars?

The lowrider car in the Disney-Pixar Cars movies is named Ramone, and he is modeled after a 1959 Chevrolet Impala coupé. Ramone is a talented custom paint artist who owns Ramone’s House of Body Art and is known for his signature lowrider stance and ever-changing paint jobs.
 
Key details about Ramone’s real-life inspiration:

• Model: A 1959 Chevrolet Impala coupé. 
• Features: The Impala’s iconic design, particularly its dramatic tail fins, makes it a popular choice for lowrider culture. 
• Lowrider culture: The character Ramone’s style reflects the art of lowrider customization, which often includes hydraulic suspension, unique paint, and special trims. 
• Signature look: Ramone is famous for his vibrant and changeable paint jobs, including the dark green “Grass Green” and the “Mellow Sunset” (now “Yellow Mellow”) paint.