Issue 16
Text and photos Dustin “Volo” Pedder
Model Dezra Mendez
Owner Juan Tejeda
car club Sly, Slick, and Wicked
Something 4 tha Haters

Busting out on the lowriding scene in the Bay Area is one of the most firme ‘big body’ Cadillacs, “Something 4 tha Haters.” Owner, Juan Tejeda, known as Gonzo to his fellow club members, purchased this 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham bone stock. It would not last too long in that condition. Juan went to work right away, altering this phat ride into a low-low. In just a few year’s time, he has turned his dream car into an artistic piece of art, rollin’ on true knockoff wire rimes. His creation is a tribute to all those jealous “nobodies” who didn’t believe in him.
Juan’s creation started with a trip over to Custom Mike’s Auto Body in San Leandro, California. There, Lalo and Mike laid a clean candy organic green on the body with tons of clear sprayed over it to keep it ever-shiny. Next, it was off to Wheel Service in Oakland, where Gonzo was hooded up with a set of gold center Sinister Wire wheels, giving the Brougham that lowrider look.

Gonzo knew he couldn’t roll on a stock suspension much longer, as the need for hittin’ the switches overcame him. He then setup an appointment with pros, Sergio and Rudy, over at Del Toro Custom Hydraulics in Gilroy, CA. They installed a two pump, six battery setup that allows the big body to make front A-arms, were sent off to Express Gold Plating in Los Angeles, where they were dipped and covered in high-luster chrome.

Juan later decided that “Something 4 tha Haters” needed something a little more extraordinary. He returned to Custom Mike’s to have them add some new eye catching elements, including patterns, murals, and striping. Lalo and Mike laid down this creative artwork in the form of ghost patterns, marbalizers, gold leafing, and ghost murals of some wicked clowns.

In such a short time, Gonzo has produced a unique, head-turning lowrider, worthy of his presidential title in his car club, Sly, Slick, and Wicked. Not too bad for a guy at the age of 20! And Gonzo is not done yet. Future plans include a custom interior, continental kit, more sponsors, Sinister Wire Wheels and Wheels Service. He would also like to thank his family, friends and fellow car club members for their help and support.