OVERVIEW
The origin of this title has its roots in Low Rider (1977 to 1985), a magazine
started by three San Jose State students - Larry Gonzalez,
Sonny Madrid and David Nunez. Production ceased with the December, 1985 issue.
In 1987, original founder Larry Gonzalez, along with publisher Alberto Lopez and managing editor Dina Loya, bought the rights to the magazine and formed Park Avenue Publishing. Re-located to Southern California in Fullerton, the first issue was launched in June, 1988 with an initial print run of 20,000. The magazine continued through 2019 when print production ceased.
The 1990s and 2000s saw not only rapid expansion of the brand and circulation, but the application of lowrider and other automotive technology to more than the post-WW2 Chevrolet cars of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. With it embracing foreign cars and modern rides, it appealed to more readers and encircled all cultures and perspectives. And, last but not least, the magazine was graced with stunning women of all backgrounds. It's easy to see why it became so successful.
OWNERSHIP:
The editors and staff went through changes as the title moved through various new owners:
- 1997 -- Park Avenue Publishing sold the title to McMullen-Argus Publishing, a division of Primedia;
- 2007 -- Primedia sold this title and 70 others to Source Interlink Media for $1.2 billion;
- 2014 -- Source Interlink rebranded to TEN: The Enthusiast Network;
- 2018 -- The Enthusiast Network is restructured into the Motor Trend Group, and the following year numerous titles are ended including Lowrider.
The table of contents, if available, can be seen by clicking on the icon.
PUBLICATION DATA:
The publisher provided net paid circulation data to The Standard Periodical Directory from 1994
through 2005 (the most recent date for which we have data). Annual print grew to over 500,000 issues by the end of the 21st century.
CONTENT COMPLETENESS:
A total of 375 issues was printed from June, 1988 through November, 2019. Magazine cover images are complete for this
title.
INTERNET:
An internet presence was created and URLs referenced on the front covers starting in August, 2001. The site is now
defunct: www.lowridermagazine.com.