Feature:
Name: Xavier “The X-Man”
Car Club Affiliation: NO Affiliation BUT I ride with EVERYONE!
Interests: Oldies & Old School Record Collector, golf, volunteering in the community.
General Vehicle Info:
Vehicle Year: 1963 Make: Chevrolet Model: Impala Super Sport “matching numbers”
Name of Vehicle: X-Stilo Firme ’63 Why the name?
Because it’s one fine’63 impala done up in my own personal style.
Mostly everything is OG and matching numbers but it has a slight personal touch to it.
Construction time:
7 month build but worked on it & cruised it for 3 years before redoing the whole car completely
History of Vehicle:
4 years ago when I finally had the money saved up I announced on my Radio show I was looking for a ride. After getting over 100 emails on rides and checking out the local ones in SD and LA, I took a trip to the Bay Area and found John from Uce c.c. hiding a driver ’63 Impala Super Sport, I fell in love and drove it home. I drove it for a couple of years doing what I could to fix things but finally the engine & tranny died and I decided to redo the whole car.
Engine
Make: Chevrolet Model (cubic inches): 283 Engine Year: 1963 Number of Cylinders 8
Special Engine Features: Rebuilt to Original Specifications Color: Orange
Engine Builder (who?): Louie Ontiveros Shop: Car Connection
City/State: Barrio Logan
Carburetor: Rochester 2 Barrel
Battery: OG Delco Battery
Transmission: Rebuilt Powerglide 2 by Tony @ SouthLand Transmissions in National City, CA
Exhaust: Two 13inch OG Blue Streak Glass Packs
Suspension
Hydraulics/Airbags: N/A
Chassis Work By: Leo Milla from Dukes Car Club
City/State: San Diego CA
Other Suspension Modifications: Work done back to factory specifications
Body
Body Work By: CHICO from Groupe Car Club & owner of Candy’s Auto body
City/State: San Diego, CA
Body Modifications:
Paint Type/Brand: PPG Color Scheme: Torino Turquoise
Painted By: CHICO Shop: Candy’s Auto body
City/State: San Diego, CA
Interior
Upholstery By: Davalos Shop: Davalos Upholstery
City/State: Chula Vista, CA
Describe Interior: OG interior – Show Room Quality
Audio / Video System
Video/Audio Installed By: “Pelon” Romo from Dukes Car Club
City/State: San Diego, CA
Head Unit: Pioneer hidden in the glove box
Head Unit: Original AM radio installed by Owner
Additional Audio components Installed By: Art Shop: Big Boy Audio
City/State: San Diego, CA
Amp(s): Autobahn
Speakers (Brand/Size) Autobahn Mid and Woofers
Plating / Anodizing / Powder Coating
What’s plated on your ride? Bumpers, moldings, etc
Chrome Plating/polishing By: “Bird” from Majestics Car Club
City/State: San Diego, CA
Wheels (Brand/Size): 14 x 6 stocks with SS hubcaps
Tires (Brand/Size): Prestige 185 x 75r14
Any other modifications, accessories, etc. not already covered:
NOS Sanco Car Blinds, Tissue dispenser, Two antennas, NOS front & back bumper guards,
NOS Fox Craft fender skirts, Color Bar. 4 way flasher, Virgin Mary on Dash, a crucifix hanging
from my rear view mirror and picture of my Dad set on the left-hand side of my speedometer.
Events and/or Awards:
I attend and support almost every lowrider event in San Diego and
placed in every Lowrider Magazine Car show I’ve attended.
QUESTIONS
Describe how you developed an interest in traditional lowriders:
I’m originally from Salinas, and so when you grow up there you’re exposed to Lowriders and Hotrods,
I loved and appreciated both styles but on the eastside where I lived Lowriders ruled the streets.
In my neighborhood, you first heard an oldie song in the distance and wonder what was coming
down the street and you’d see either a primer car or a candy apple red one, it was love at first sight
seeing it pass by slowly-crawling and homeboy looking cool as hell behind the wheel and nodding to
you and you nodding back. Lowriders were the coolest cars and watching ‘em hit the switches just
blew my mind. The closest thing to actually getting a car would be to build a lowrider bike, which my
brother I did, but deep in my heart I knew one day I would be able to afford one and cruise the streets
bumping the oldies.
From that day I first saw one, I began tagging along with my older sister & her best friend who attended
Lowrider happenings around the area. I remember going to New Arrivals & Imperial Car Club picnics or watching the Lowriders cruise Closter Park. I was exposed to it and it was all around me.
How long have you been involved with traditional lowriding:
Ever since high school, I worked at the local public radio station and guys would come by with fliers
asking if I could help promote their car shows/car club/community fundraising events and so I did.
I also started DJing & MCing the Lowrider events and happenings. When I left for college at
San Jose State University, I hooked up with Mark Villareal aka Mark V. from Nebulous Sound Production and continued to work the car show scene specifically in San Jose at the Santa Clara County Fair Grounds and up in San Francisco. I can’t tell you how many times I had to set up the mic and turntables for Rodney O & Joe Cooley or Johnny O or Tierra. It was a chore to even announce the winners at the show because people had a ton of a passion and if they didn’t agree with the outcome, believe me they’d let you know!
Q: what are your goals in the near future?
To continue to love what I do on and off the radio. I’d love to take my oldies show to other cities,
right now you can hear it in the central coast of California, Tucson AZ, and San Diego
but I’d love more cities and even satellite radio so that people can hear my version of an oldie
show with pure positive energy and a message that your just not hearing anymore, right now
I’m getting a lot hits on the website from around the country so people are listening on the internet.
I also have a clothing line I started with the help of my friend Mario Lopez, which I hope to
expand on next year. As far lowriders go I’d love to build me a couple of more cars, I’m looking
for convertible ’63 SS, and a bomb I can really put my creativity into.
Q: what keeps you motivated day in and day out to do your shows?
“Life” keeps me motivated and the fact that GOD has let me live another day.
It’s a blessing for me to do what I’m doing and at the same time connecting with
listeners through the airwaves. Not to mention the fact that what I do is just so fun!
Q: what would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
Graduating from San Jose State University and making my parents proud. I wasn’t suppose to
go to college and according to my teachers I wasn’t suppose to amount to anything but here I
am a kid from the eastside with a college degree living his dream.
Q: where do you see the lowriding lifestyle and where do you see it going?
The Lifestyle continues to evolve with more riders pushing the envelope of creativity.
The paint, customizations and the overall craftsmanship of the cars keeps going up every year.
Some of these cars coming out now can be a big down payment on a house. I’m starting
to see more builders borrowing ideas from other styles and vice versa and incorporating them
into their Lowriders. In the end, lowriders will always be either lowered, with hydros, and or with 520’s. One thing for sure- this is not a fad.
Q: when you go to a car show what makes you smile?
The kids and families make me smile. They either come to because they love lowriders/cars or
to support a family member who is showing. I love to see the family aspect of lowriding.
Q: Classic or New car?
Classic all the way, I love seeing the reaction of others when I pull up at a stop sign
in my Impala blaring Steve Ray Vaughn’s “The Sky is Crying”.
Q: why an Impala?
Just look at it. It’s one of the best looking cars to cruise in and the first car I feel in love with.
Q: what is something that people should keep in their mind when being a part of this lowriding lifestyle?
Keep it positive & peaceful. Let’s dispel those stereotypes we hate so much.
Q: how important do you think community service is as part of your lifestyle?
It’s very important. As long as I can remember it’s always been a part of the lifestyle.
How many fundraiser car washes, toy drives etc. have we been invited to participate in?
It goes hand and hand and each and every one of us should make it a point to always do
community service, it’s vital for the Lowrider community to prosper.
Q: Sunday morning, the sun is out, its warm - what is on the X-man's train of thought at that moment?
Let’s take the Impala out for a cruise to Luzitas Taco Shop for some good Menudo.
Q: Cruise low and slow or race through traffic?
BOTH, there’s a reason why the speedometer reads 10mph to 120mph.
Q: Where do you hope to see our lifestyle in 10 years?
I hope to see it around the world…wait we’re here already! I'd like to see it more positive than ever before.
Q: how important do you think it is for us to show our children this lifestyle that we hold and care for?
It’s vital for the continued existence of it. In order for the lifestyle to survive the test of time we need
to pass it on to the next generation(the kids). You do this by being inclusive of everyone NOT exclusive
of any one this includes showing the kids, even if it’s the neighbor kid down the street- that’s what it’s all about!
Q: Any special thank yous? Thanks to Mark & Toro for having the guts to make their dream a reality.
Special thanks to? My wife Alicia, Mama, “Papasan” Daniel, Marcos “Conejo” Arellano, Jorge “Pelon” Romo From Dukes Car Club, Jaime “Carrot” Romo, David The Laughing boy, Beto, Daniel Jimenez, Louie from Nu Wave c.c., Tito & Martha at Lemon Grove Auto body and all the Car Clubs & Solo Riders from NorCal & SoCal who have supported me throughout the years.
What plans do you have next for your ride?
Continue to cruise it from Dago to the Bay.
