Clubbin’ — Brown Impressions Lowrider Car Club San Benito members pose with their lowriders and bikes alongside Hooters Girl Kassie Juarez during a recent car show. (Courtesy photo/Albert Villegas)
By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
HARLINGEN, TX—Vehicle and bike enhancements costing hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars are commonplace for members of the Brown Impressions Lowrider Car Club of San Benito.
Their presence was on full display recently at the annual Hooters Car Show, where dozens of other vehicle owners showcased their four-wheeled machines to thousands of attendees who walked around the business parking lot. Brown Impressions, however, was the sole participant to have showcased Schwinn lowrider bikes from the 1970s.
Of the 16 present members, half have vehicles or bikes in various stages of remodeling to suit their tastes.
At the Hooters Car Show, Brown Impressions showcased a 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle (owned by Alfonso “Poncho” Casanova), a 1991 GMC Sonoma (owned by Jesse Zuniga), and a 1982 Cadillac (owned by Freddy Reyes).
Zuniga has invested more than $8,000 in his Sonoma. Casanova has invested $15,000 in the Chevelle.
The lowrider bikes, each owned by Reyes and Zuniga, have an investment of at least $500 each.
Members enjoyed answering questions as visitors stopped to speak with them. They show several times during a calendar year.
It was the second time Brown Impressions participated in the long-running Hooters car event held each summer.
“We enjoyed coming here, and it’s the reason we came back again. There are lots of nice rides on display,” said Zuniga as he held a chrome plate that bore the Brown Impressions name.
Hooters Girls, who were picked to promote the car show, took photos of each entry during the first hour. The Hooters Girls who posed next to Brown Impressions vehicles and bikes were Brianna, Italia, Jordan, and Kassie.
One of the Hooters managers, Michelle Ennis, took photos of the ladies.
Standing next to some of the car owners, like Zuniga and Reyes, was Hooters Girl Kassie Juarez.
She’s participated in the Hooters Car Show in past years. She reminded them of the significance of having it in June.
“First, it’s important that we’re able to have something like this for them, and it coincides with Father’s Day, which was nice to do,” Juarez said.
Besides Harlingen, Brown Impressions also entered shows this year in San Juan, Pharr, Donna, Weslaco, and South Padre Island.
In their hometown of San Benito, Casanova said he receives praise when he also drives his uniquely aqua-colored Chevelle around town.
The men said what makes them unique is that they are also able to drive their vehicles.
“We get recognized by San Benito police a lot, and officers know us already when we ride around,” Zuniga said. “It’s a positive interaction and appreciation that goes both ways.”
Brown Impressions was started in Laredo in 1979, but it was just two years ago that a San Benito Chapter was created.
Zuniga said they started with three members and are thankful for having grown in membership. Some live in Donna and, due to family commitments, are not always able to attend all shows.
The car club also has members who own an El Camino, Cutlass, Chevy Impala, and Regal, but were not shown at Hooters the day of the event due to family commitments.
Brown Impressions has plans to show at the Valley Lowriders’ Annual Picnic at Harlon Block Park in Weslaco, Aug. 3. They will also be having their third annual Show/Shine at Harlingen’s Sports Complex (Sept. 13).
“Our Harlingen show isn’t just to get other clubs together and hang out, but to also bring awareness to childhood cancer since September will be Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,” Zuniga said. “We take donations with 100 percent of what we raise going to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.”
The car club has a Facebook page, which can be found at Brown Impressions Lowrider Car Club SB.
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