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achievements by the club and it's members. Jaime Martinez
(1991) Illustrious Car Club Established Illustrious is born in Santa Ana California in the midst of the lowrider boom during the late 80's and early 90's. Showing strong on the streets with dropped mini trucks and slick euros, the club quickly gained a local reputation among the dozens of new clubs. "We named the club illustrious to let everyone know that we were serious about lowriding. That we were not just another car club" says Adrian Pimentel. After the founding president left the club early, Adrian soon took the post of President and organized the small group of dedicated members. "I went from being a member of the club to Vice-President to President almost overnight. I really didn't know what to do. I had to learn to be a leader real fast" recalls Adrian. The club quickly adapted to his style and moved forward to success.
The first show attended as a club was the famous Azalea Show held annually in Southgate California. The clubs showing in the heart of Los Angeles with the "big boys" of lowriding inspired the few members to come back strong the next year.
The clubs first new member, Johnny, turned out to be one of the most dedicated and active participants. Throughout the 90's, Johnny's Chevrolet S-10 truck called Aztec Warrior evolved into a solid show winner and a mean street hopper. "Johnny would bust a U-turn on Bristol (st.) and hop on anybody! " recalls Adrian. Johnny's all out style helped set a standard for the future.
Adrian's first attempt at a building a radical lowrider proves to be a show winner! Featuring numerous mods and all chrome everything, This Suzuki Sidekick was a showcase vehicle in the heavily contested Sweepstakes and Lowrider Euro scene.
Miles Square Park in Santa Ana ,Summer 1994 Capitalizing on a new wave of members and some seasoned veterans, Illustrious becomes a leading club in the Orange County area. Bristol St. becomes a common spot for members to be seen cruising.
Orange County Car Show, October 1994
1995 San Diego Lowrider Magazine Show
This was a breakout year for Illustrious! Adrian's Jokerz Wild headlined the club at the car shows while making the pages of Lowrider Magazine in the August issue, a first for the club. The success of 1995 at the shows and on the streets boosted the clubs popularity.
Another Full Custom ride from Orange County President Adrian Pimentel, this truck graced the pages of Lowrider Magazine and helped solidify the club as a legitimate group that was here to stay!
(1996) Tulare County Chapter Established Desi Marquez led the expansion of Illustrious into Central California.
1996 Los Angeles Lowrider Magazine Car Show
Adrian's third creation turns out to be a Lowrider Magazine cover car and continues a level of excellence that few lowriders ever reach.
(1997) Los Angeles County Chapter Established Under the guidance of president Ray Anchondo, Illustrious Car Club gained a critical foothold in the ultra-competitive LA area. This helped integrate the Orange County chapter into the rest of the city.
This popular Nissan Sentra by Eddie Bustos leads to another feature in Lowrider Magazine and several trophies at the car shows. Murals by Elizer display the popular Fantasy theme.
The tradition begins with a wild full show Buick that has become the most recognizable vehicle by an Illustrious member. Ads for Pennzoil featured Predator for over a year! Congratulations to Elmer and all the Orange County members !
New heights are reached by Juan Moran with a super clean '84 Cutlass. This time, the club and the car are honored by being included in Lowrider Magazines elite issue of The Best of Lowrider Magazine VIII.
(1999) Lowrider Magazine Super Show Dual Diesel Trucks carry over a dozen show cars to the annual Lowrider Magazine Super Show in Las Vegas Nevada. The hard work pays off with several first place trophies and a coveted win by Aztec Dream in the 80's radical category.
(2001) 10th Year Anniversary Party A hallmark for the club is established as a full decade of hard work and dedication culminate in a celebration of unity.
LA County Chapter @ Majestics Car Club Picnic, El Dorado Park Long Beach, New Years Day 2002
Debuting at the annual Easter Picnic in Orange County, this traditional Full Show ride features Tito's hallmark custom mods of a tilting the front clip and suiciding the doors.
(2002) Kern County Chapter Established Bakersfield and Delano is the latest area to spot Illustrious lowriders.
(2003) Visalia Easter Picnic and Toy Drive Illustrious comes together with other local clubs to put together a blazing car show.
(2005) New Zealand Chapter Established Illustrious goes international, way international ! Matthew Fleet is in the process of creating a California connection in New Zealand. We look forward to seeing what comes out of newest teammates.
(2006) Glock 64 Curly debuts his 64 impala dubbed "Glock 64". Featuring chrome battery racks, molded a-arms, and clean pinstriping, this car propels the club straight from the streets into the show!
(2007) Ice Cube and Illustrious NZ !! West Coast Rappers Ice Cube and WC perform a sold out show in New Zealand with fellow club members there to escort!
(2008) Rebuilding Responding to dwindling membership and a lack of leadership, the club reduced size and reorganized it's leadership. A new core of new and old members looks to keep the club going and successfully restore momentum for another year. Kern and Tulare County Chapters are officially closed.
(2009) NEW PRESIDENT Juan "Bear" Moran officially takes the title of club President. With a new look, Illustrious now charts a path as a traditional lowrider car club.
(2009) Norwalk Car Show OC and LA come together to represent well at this years hottest summer car show!!
(2009) End of Summer Classic Our Style LA Car Club and Illustrious Car Club join forces to host the show that will end the summer of 09!! This is the first show either club to host, so it's going to be exciting.
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