Toronto, Canada, was one of the few countries we had yet to visit in our global search for the most spectacular custom cars. While in the USA, our good friend Juan from the Relaxed Atmosphere Car Club in California heard we were heading to Toronto for business. He didn’t hesitate to recommend two incredible lowrider enthusiasts for us to meet – TJ and Jimmy.

From California to Canada: A Lowrider Connection

We arranged to meet outside a vegan restaurant in Toronto – the name escapes us, but the food was surprisingly good! From there, the two led us to a perfect photo spot on the outskirts of the city centre, where the modern skyline served as a dramatic backdrop for their classic Lowriders.

Eager to explore the lesser-known yet thriving Lowrider culture in Canada, we set up a meeting with TJ and Jimmy in Toronto. The pair promised to showcase their stunning Chevrolet Impalas, each painstakingly customised and perfected, carrying the spirit of the California lowrider scene into the heart of Canada.

TJ and Jimmy’s friendship began during their teenage years. TJ first spotted Jimmy cleaning his minitruck, and as someone who owned a minitruck himself, TJ struck up a conversation. The two quickly bonded over their shared love of custom cars and have been inseparable ever since.

Both Impalas were sourced locally in Toronto and were already in good stock condition. Thanks to their keen eyes and experience, TJ and Jimmy knew what to look for, avoiding the pitfalls of rust or poor restoration work. The real magic, however, happened in TJ’s garage, where the duo spent countless hours transforming the cars into the immaculate lowriders you see today.

The Colours of Perfection

One of the most striking features of TJ and Jimmy’s Lowriders is their colour choices. TJ’s Impala wears a Laguna Seca Blue, originally a BMW M3 colour but customised with a personal twist to ensure uniqueness. Jimmy, on the other hand, opted for a 1957 Chevy Bel Air Tropical Turquoise, a shade that exudes vintage charm.

Both colours evoke the pastel hues popular in the 1960s, perfectly complementing the era these cars hail from. For TJ and Jimmy, the colours aren’t just paint – they’re a tribute to the classic aesthetics of the lowrider generation.

As luck would have it, it started to rain. For a moment, we thought the shoot might be a washout, but the sun peeked out just in time, leaving us with stunning skies filled with fluffy white clouds against a vivid blue backdrop. The unique weather conditions made the photos even more breathtaking, adding an extra touch of magic to the shoot.

From Minitrucks to Lowriders:

A Friendship Forged Through Cars

Lowrider Connections

With help from fellow Affiliated Car Club members, who brought skills in bodywork and fabrication, the two rebuilt their cars from the ground up. Even TJ’s background as a licensed plumber came into play, allowing him to adapt his professional skills to the intricate customisation process. Every evening after work, through cold winters and brisk spring days, TJ and Jimmy dedicated themselves to the project, pouring their hearts into every detail.

Meeting in the Rain:

A Picturesque Introduction

Fast forward several years, and their shared passion for customisation and the lowrider lifestyle led them to take on a new challenge: transforming two Chevrolet Impalas into show-stopping Lowriders. For Jimmy, owning a Lowrider was the culmination of a lifelong dream inspired by his love of hip-hop and the California lowrider culture. For TJ, it was the perfect way to combine his passion for classic cars and customisation.

Building Lowriders is a Labour of Love

On the day of our shoot, we also captured the essence of these remarkable lowriders on video. Watching the cars in motion, glistening under the sun as they cruise through the streets of Toronto, is an experience in itself. You can see the full video of TJ and Jimmy’s stunning Impalas here or head over to YouTube

TJ and Jimmy have become icons in Toronto’s Lowrider community, embodying the culture’s ethos and paying homage to its Californian roots. As members of the Affiliated Car Club, which was established in Toronto in 2005, the pair work tirelessly to represent and promote the Lowrider scene in Canada.

Their dedication to the craft and respect for Lowrider history have earned them recognition both locally and abroad. Through their cars, they’ve built a bridge between California’s vibrant lowrider culture and Toronto’s emerging custom car scene.

Lowriders with Heart and Soul

Whether you agree or not, to us, TJ and Jimmy’s Impalas are more than just cars – they’re rolling works of art, testaments to passion, friendship, and dedication. From their humble beginnings with minitrucks to their status as Lowrider legends in Toronto, the pair have proven that the Lowrider culture knows no borders.

A Video Worth Watching

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