Tangerine Testosterone

Tangerine Testosterone

- Beto Mendoza

Nowadays, $2,400 might afford you a few upgrades for your lowrider, but back 12 years ago it would have landed you something a whole lot more—like an entire project car. Just ask San Diego native Alberto Sotelo who picked up his Impala for just $2,400.

He purchased the vehicle from his brother-in-law as a rolling chassis and it was the perfect project. In part of envisioning his lowrider he wanted every piece of the car to be gone over with a fine-tooth comb, but he also understood that it would be a long-term project. The car needed a full restoration, and thankfully his dad, a retired welder, contributed significantly to the build. With little time to spare, they did what they could when they had the free time but they insisted that the car be built properly. Instead of patchworking the floor, they took the time to cut it completely out and replace it entirely. Every free weekend was spent working on the car, and annually Alberto would use up his vacation time in order to put in additional work with his father.