Lowrider Sunday 2023 | Central Coast NSW Car Show Coverage
I rolled into Memorial Park at The Entrance on a sunny August Sunday morning, ready for another year at Lowrider Sunday. The event's been running annually since 2017 on the Central Coast, growing from a small meetup of about 25 cars to what's become Australia's premier lowriding event. Walking through the gates at 9am, I could see the growth firsthand with over 100 vehicles filling the park.
The Venue and Atmosphere
The waterfront setting at Memorial Park is perfect for a show like this. Mature trees provide shade over the display area, and The Entrance's beachside vibe gives the whole event a relaxed atmosphere that's different from your typical urban car show. Over 100 vehicles from across the country filled the park, everything from classic American rides to Australian minitrucks, lowrider bicycles, and custom trikes.
Paint and Chrome Detail
What struck me first was the paint. Candy colors everywhere, catching the coastal light and shifting tones as you walked around each vehicle. Metal flake sparkled under the sun, and the level of detail on these builds was insane. Hand-engraved chrome on grilles, bumpers, and trim pieces, the kind of work that takes hundreds of hours. Some of these cars had undercarriage chrome you'd only see when the hydraulics lifted them up, which tells you everything about the dedication these builders have.
Hydraulic Demonstrations
The hydraulic demonstrations were a highlight. At noon, the 'King of the Streets' car hop competition drew a massive crowd. Watching these heavy cars literally bounce off the ground through rapid hydraulic actuation is something you have to see in person. The precision control some operators had was impressive, lifting individual corners for three-wheel stands or getting the whole front end up. The mechanical setup required for this, multiple pumps and batteries filling trunks, represents serious engineering alongside the aesthetic work.
Event Activities and Organization
Allan Clarke and Fresh Stylz Lowrider Car Club organized the event, and they'd lined up activities throughout the day. Club battles with tug of war at 11am brought out the competitive spirit between crews who'd driven in from different states. Trophy presentations at 2pm recognized the standout builds across different categories.
Vehicle Variety
The variety of vehicles kept things interesting. Classic American iron dominated, as you'd expect, with plenty of customs featuring chrome wire wheels, white wall tires, and that iconic lowrider stance. But the Australian minitrucks held their own, showing how builders have adapted lowrider techniques to Japanese compact pickups. Bagged suspension, candy paint, detailed engine bays, these minitrucks proved the aesthetic translates across different platforms.
Pre-1950s bombs brought historical depth to the lineup. These early customs, with their frenched headlights and shaved door handles, represent lowriding's post-war California roots. Seeing them alongside modern builds showed the evolution of the culture while respecting where it started.
The lowrider bicycles and trikes were a nice touch. Kids and younger enthusiasts clustered around these, examining the twisted spokes, extended forks, and miniature chrome work that mirrored the full-size builds. It's the entry point for the next generation, teaching fabrication and design principles without needing a driver's license.
Community and Culture
One thing that impressed me was the community feel. Car clubs rolled in together, their matching plaques and coordinated presentation showing the bonds within the scene. But solo builders got equal respect, the event welcoming anyone with a passion for the culture. Families mixed with hardcore enthusiasts, everyone appreciating the craftsmanship on display.
The event drew coverage from La Cultura Magazine out of California, with editor in chief Joe Estrada flying over specifically for Lowrider Sunday. That international recognition speaks to how the Australian scene has grown, maintaining connection to lowriding's Mexican-American heritage while developing its own identity.
Location and Sponsorship
Memorial Park's layout worked well, giving each vehicle breathing room without feeling spread out. The proximity to The Entrance town center meant pre-show and post-show cruises along Memorial Drive, extending the event beyond the official hours and letting the broader community see these builds in motion.
Nineteen sponsors backed the event, from dedicated lowrider specialists like House of Low and The Lowrider Shop to broader automotive businesses like Shannons. The support infrastructure shows how lowriding has moved beyond pure niche into more mainstream car culture acceptance, at least here on the Central Coast.
Walking out at the end of the day, I understood why Lowrider Sunday has become an annual pilgrimage for builders across Australia. It's not just about showing cars. The event celebrates a culture that values craftsmanship, patience, and artistic expression through automotive modification. The Entrance provides an ideal setting, and the organizers have built something that respects lowriding's roots while making it accessible to everyone who appreciates rolling art.
The quality of builds, the community atmosphere, and the beachside setting combined to create another standout event. If the growth trajectory continues, this could rival any lowrider gathering internationally. Worth the trip to the Central Coast every year.