Hydraulic Lifted Cars

In 1957, while working at North American Aviation, Jim Logue from Long Beach, California, began installing hydraulic lifts on his 1954 Ford. By late 1958, the build was mostly completed, and it featured hydraulic lifts on all four corners. This photo was taken on September 30, 1958, the day before Jim's birthday, for a feature in Custom Cars February 1959. The lifts were installed before Jim modified the roof and fitted it with a 1957 Ford windshield. Jim believes he bought the hydraulic parts from Palley's late in 1957 or early in 1958.

Jim Logue was inspired by Citroën's hydropneumatic suspension system, first introduced in 1954 on the rear suspension of the Traction Avant. The advanced DS model in 1955 featured the first four-wheel hydropneumatic system. Jim noted, "Citroën used hydraulics to raise the car and go off-road. It was made to raise, so I did some reverse engineering to make it go low," adapting the concept to make his car practical for street use.

Ron Aguirre's X-Sonic, a bubble top show car, is considered the first car ever to use hydraulics to raise and lower its suspension. According to Ron, the X-Sonic was fitted with hydraulics from an electric Port-A-Power tool by October 1958. With help from his father Louie, he created a system that allowed him to control the front suspension's height from inside the car. The X-Sonic gained national recognition and was showcased across the United States, becoming an iconic example of early lowrider innovation.

A 1957 Palley Supply Company catalog, showcasing a variety of hydraulic components. Palley's, located in Los Angeles, California, was known as "Gadgeteers Heaven" and became a crucial resource for early lowrider pioneers who were experimenting with hydraulic lifts. Jim Logue, who began installing hydraulic lifts on his 1954 Ford in late 1957 or early 1958, sourced second-hand hydraulic parts from Palley's due to a tight budget. "They had books on it, catalogs on how much, how big, how much stroke, and all this," Jim recalled. Without knowing specific catalog numbers, he carefully selected the parts he needed, such as pumps and cylinders, by measuring and adapting what was available. Similarly, Ron Aguirre purchased his hydraulic parts from Palley's for his iconic X-Sonic. The catalog became a go-to guide for innovators like Jim and Ron, who were laying the groundwork for the hydraulic lifted car culture that would soon spread across California and beyond.

Garret Greydanus' 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air on display at the 1961 NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California, held on February 19, 1961. By this time, the car had been fitted with hydraulic lifts by Ron and Lou Aguirre, marking one of their earliest known hydraulic lift installations. The sign at the show incorrectly credited the work to 'Aguire' with one 'R.' The Aguirres' innovative use of surplus aircraft parts allowed the car to be raised and lowered with the flip of a switch, a cutting-edge feature that would become iconic in the custom car and lowrider culture. Photo courtesy of Peterson Digital Archive.

Roy Abendroth originally wanted Richard Axcell to give his 1955 Buick custom a Metalflake paint job. Too busy doing everyday cars, Axcell told Roy to see his buddy Larry Watson. Roy told Watson that he was interested in something different for the car. Watson, who had just recently painted Ron Aguirre's X-Sonic, told Roy about the lifts Ron had installed on his Corvette to adjust the ride height by the touch of a button. That was something brand new that caught Roy's interest, so he approached Aguirre about having him install lifts on his Buick as well. Ron accepted the offer, and Roy drove the car up to Fontana to have Ron install lifts up front. Afraid of damaging the paint, Roy figured out it was safer to install the lifts while the car was still in primer. "Ron took it apart and put all the lifts in. From what I understand, the lifts were built from parts from an aircraft. Like a piper cup or something like that. Componentes that lifts the wheels in and out when it's flying." The lifts were installed around 1961, about a year before he first showed it. It was the second car Ron installed lifts on, and it might have been the third hydraulic lifted custom in the world. Photo courtesy of Roy Abendroth.

Keith Christensen's 1959 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery of Norwalk, California. Keith and Doug Carney installed hydraulic lifts on the car in 1961. It was also dressed up with a Murano Pearl Yellow paint job by Larry Watson of Watson's House of Style. Keith ran Gene's Mufflers, and the Sedan Delivery was his daily driver.

Roy Abendroth's 1955 Buick custom as it appeared in 1962, after Roy and Larry Watson had given it a Busonic Bronze Metalflake paint job at Watson's Paramount shop. Known as The Busonic, Roy showed the car once, in an unfinished state, before it hit the show circuit in 1962. In 2020, Roy couldn't remember how much he paid for the lifts, but he told Kustomrama that it wasn't all that much at the time, "I don't think it was even 500 dollars. I doubt it was that much." Photo from The Larry Watson Collection, provided by Roger O'Dell.

Tats Gotanda's 1959 Chevrolet Impala, famously known as the "Buddha Buggy" was restyled and fitted with a full hydraulic lift system by renowned custom car builder Bill Hines in 1962. After meeting Ron Aguirre at a car show and learning about his innovative use of hydraulics on the X-Sonic, Hines was inspired to install a similar system on the Buddha Buggy. The hydraulic lifts allowed the car to be raised and lowered by 8 1/2 inches, making it one of the earliest custom cars to feature such a system. Bill Hines, later known as "The Godfather of Hydraulics," was among the first to set up a shop dedicated to hydraulic lift installations in Southern California, further pushing the boundaries of lowrider and custom car culture.

Filbert Aguirre's 1961 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, customized with Candy Red paint, hydraulic lifts, and Buick wire wheels with thin whitewall tires. Filbert, the younger brother of Ron Aguirre, played a significant role in the early development of hydraulic systems in custom cars. By 1962, working out of the Aguirre family’s two-story barn in Rialto, California, Filbert had installed hydraulic lifts on his Cadillac, showcasing his expertise in adapting aircraft hydraulic technology for automotive use. His innovative work helped lay the foundation for the widespread adoption of hydraulic systems in lowrider culture. Photo courtesy of 46to64.

Larry Watson's 1962 Cadillac, a sleek custom ride from Bellflower, California, featuring hydraulic lifts installed in the front by Ron and Lou Aguirre in 1962. Known for his pioneering paintwork, Watson also customized the Cadillac's body, nosing, decking, and shaving the handles for a cleaner, smoother appearance. The trim on the front fenders was removed, and dummy spotlights were added for a classic custom look. Once the bodywork was completed, the car was painted in a striking silver, showcasing Watson's signature style and his early embrace of hydraulics to enhance both form and function.

Albert Seeno's 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix, featuring custom bodywork by Winfield's Custom Shop, was one of the first hydraulic lifted cars in Northern California. The car, equipped with hydraulics installed by Bear from Bellflower, showcased the growing influence of the hydraulic lift trend beyond Southern California. This hydraulic iteration of the Grand Prix was displayed at the 1963 Grand National Roadster Show in February, highlighting its sleek design and cutting-edge customization. Seeno's Grand Prix became a significant example of the early adoption of hydraulic systems in Northern California, paving the way for future lowriders in the region.^[1] Photo by Bud Lang, from The Petersen Archive.

By 1963, custom car legend Ed "Big Daddy" Roth had also embraced the use of hydraulic systems in his innovative builds. His friendship with Ron Aguirre, likely influenced Roth's decision to incorporate hydraulics into his own creations. The Mysterion, one of Roth's most famous bubble top show rods, featured hydraulics to open and close its bubble top and adjust the height of the rear suspension. Built with two brand-new Ford engines donated by Bud Anderson of Ford's Custom Car Caravan, the Mysterion was completed in 1963 and painted Candy Yellow by Larry Watson.

Gordy Brown's 1963 Ford Thunderbird of San Fernando, California received lifts around 1963/1964. The Thunderbird was Gordy's first hydraulic job, and most of the parts were purchased at Palley's. Most people installing lifts in the 1960s used the lifts to lower the car as well as lifting it. Gordy was doing an old fashioned lowering job so the car had a good ride. The lifts were then used to raise the car up. Gordy operated House of Customs in San Fernando.

Gordy Brown's business card from House of Customs.

A drawing by Gordy Brown showing how he did all of his set ups.

Jim Boyd's 1963 Ford of Torrance, California. Jim's Ford received lifts by Bear in the first half of 1964. He began by installing lifts up front. Later on it did also receive lifts in the rear.

Mike Perello's 1960 Ford Starliner of Torrance, California. Mike's Starliner received lifts by Bear in the Summer of 1964. Mike decided to install hydraulics earlier the same year, after seeing Jim Boyd's 1963 Ford.

Richard Mikami's 1961 Chevrolet Impala of Gardena, California. Restyled in 1964, Richard's Impala featured hydraulic lifts by Bill Hines, a Pearl paint job by Joe Andersen and a custom upholstery by Russ and Bess. The car was known as "The Ant Killer"

Richard Zocchi's 1964 Buick Wildcat of Concord, California. Richard's Buick featured hydraulic lifts by Bill Hines and a fadeaway paint job by Gene Winfield of Winfield's Custom Shop. The car was restyled in 1964, when it was brand new.

A 1960s business card for Don "Penguin" Loster, a pioneer in the use of hydraulic lifts for lowering cars. Known for his innovative work in the Southern California custom car scene, Penguin's shop became synonymous with "extra low" rides. Based in Hollydale near Downey and Paramount, Loster worked alongside his close friend Bear in a tight-knit community where creativity thrived in the mid-1960s. Photo from The Mike Kosulandich Collection.

Teddy Zgrzemski' 1957 Chevrolet Nomad of Rockwood, Michigan. Teddy bought the Nomad from his friend Gene Rosco back in 1964 or 1965. It came from California, and it featured a beautiful Eddie Martinez interior. Shortly after buying the Nomad, Teddy's uncle, Bill Hines, helped install hydraulic lifts on the car, turning it into what might be the first hydraulic lifted car in Michigan.

Red Pierce's 1957 Oldsmobile as it looked in the mid 1960s. Red's Olds was fit with hydraulic lifts all around.

Joe Hurst's 1958 Chevrolet Impala had lifts installed by Red in the 1960s.

Dick & Ron's Custom of Huntington Park, California propably installed more lifts then anyone else in the 1960s. Photo courtesy of Mike Davis.

Dick Sellars own Buick Riviera outside the shop in Huntington Park. Dick’s Riviera was shaved for handles, had lifts all the way around and ran Skylark wire wheels.

Mark Jorgenson's 1960 Chevrolet Impala was restyled in the mid 1960s featuring lifts up front by Dick & Ron's.

Sandy Gordon's 1961 Pontiac Bonnveille Convertible received a fadeaway paint job by Joe Andersen's Custom Shop in the summer of 1965. This version was also fit with hydraulic lifts.

A 1963 Pontiac that Gordy Brown restyled for an unknown owner at House of Customs in the mid 1960s. Gordy fit the car with lifts front and rear.

John Viggianelli's 1963 Ford Galaxie of Pacioma, California. Viggianelli's Galaxie was mildly restyled before it around 1965 received a Candy Ruby over Pearl Silver, Red, and Maroon Metalflake custom paint job by Larry Watson at Watson's House of Style. After Watson had painted the car, it received hydraulic lifts up front. According to John's son Nick, the lifts were installed by a Mexican gentleman in Glendale, at a shop right by the train yard. "My dad was approached by the guy's sons, and they told him their dad could make his car go up and down. My dad jumped on it." John can't remember the guy's name, but airplane landing gear was used to make the front of the car go up and down. After John installed the lifts, a few other guys in the San Fernando Valley went and got them from the same guy. "As far as my Dad knows, he says he was one of the first in the San Fernando Valley to have lifts."

Richard Mikami's 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray of Gardena, California. Richard installed hydraulic lifts on the car in 1966.

The first version of Bob Huffman's 1965 Chevrolet Impala, featuring a bumperless front end design, restyled rear end and Hydraulics on all four corners was completed in 1966.

Tom Chafin's 1963 Buick Riviera of South Gate, California had been fit with hydraulic lifts by 1966.

Jim Arkin's 1965 Chevrolet Impala of San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California received lifts on all four corners by Dick & Ron's in the summer of 1966.

Nick Hoogoian's 1965 Chevrolet Malibu of Granada Hills, San Fernando Valley received lifts up front by Dick & Ron's in the summer of 1966.

Pete Limpert's 1936 Ford tudor sedan of Gardena, California. Pete built the car in the early to mid 1960s. Around 1966/1967 it received hydraulic lifts by Dennis "Red" Pierce.

Allen Duke's 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS of Wilmington, California received hydraulic lifts up front around 1966/1967. Allen had two black guys from Compton install the front lifts. Later on he installed lifts in the rear himself.

Ken McGoldrick's 1939 Chevrolet Coupe of Southern California. Ken worked as a Manager for Larry Watson at Watson's House of Style in the late 1960s. He was working on the Chevy while he was working for Watson. In 1967 Ken's coupe had been fit with hydraulic lifts up front.

Milton Mills' 1965 Chevrolet Impala. In 1967 Bill Hines painted and installed hydraulic lifts on the car for Milton.

Steve Arnold's 1965 Chevrolet Malibu of Gardena, California. Steve was a member of the Tridents of Southern California car club. In 1967 Steve installed lifts on the Malibu.

Alexander Ruelas' 1965 Chevrolet Impala was originally restyled by Bill Hines around 1966/1967. The Impala had already lifts installed up front when it was restyled by Bill.

Carl Darling's 1961 Ford Starliner had lifts installed around 1967/1968. Carl installed the lifts on the car himself.

Mike Smith's 1962 Chevrolet Impala received lifts by Red late in 1967.

The display sign from Mike Smith's 1962 Chevrolet Impala.

Mike Smith's 1965 Buick Riviera, named "Lemon Drop", was built in 1966 or 1967, and it featured lifts by Dick and Ron

The display sign from Mike Smith's 1965 Buick Riviera.

Howard Gribble's 1967 Chevrolet Impala of Torrance, California received lifts by Dennis "Red" Pierce in 1967.

Roger Squires' 1947 Chevrolet Fleetline was restyled by Roger Squires of Torrance, California in the late 1960s. Known as "Pastime", the car is a surviving example of the early lowrider style, and it was engineered and built to a standard that was unusual for the time. The first version of Roger's Fleetline was completed around 1968. Roger installed hydraulic lifts shortly thereafter.

Howard Gribble's 1966 Buick Riviera of Torrance, California received lifts by Dick and Ron in 1968. The custom paint job was applied by Bill Carter of Carter Pro Paint.

Andrew "Drew" Jackson's 1959 Chevrolet Impala of Long Beach, California. This photo shows the "Five Line" version of the car as it appeared in the early 1970s.

Lil John's 1966 Chevrolet Caprice of La Mirada, California. Lil John is the founder and first President of the famous Majestics Lowrider car club mother chapter of Southern California. Lil John's list of Lowrider show cars representing the Lowrider Majestics car club helped set the standards in the 1970s and they each were ahead of their time in paint design, patterns, and murals. The Caprice was completed in 1978, featuring lifts by Louie Vasquez.

Chalo Lafuente did a story about the X-Sonic named “The First Car To Be Lifted” in the premier issue of Technical Low Rider Magazine in 1981. Back then the X-Sonic was known as the world’s first lifted car.

Ron Aguirre and Emmanuelle Benoit with the remains of the X-Sonic in 2010. This is a screenshot from a video by LowRidingTV.com that was published on YouTube in 2010.Click here to check it out.

Howard Gribble's 1964 Chevrolet Impala of Torrance, California. Restyled by Starlite Rod & Kustom, Howard's Impala is a recreation of the Bloody Mary version of Allen Duke's 1964 Chevrolet Impala from 1969. The build was completed in December of 2014, featuring hydraulic lifts on all four corners. The lifts were installed by Starlite Rod & Kustom.

Hydraulic lifted cars, commonly known as "lowriders," have a rich history rooted in car culture, innovation, and creativity. Initially arising as a response to legal restrictions on vehicle height, hydraulic systems allowed enthusiasts to lower their cars for style and then lift them to comply with regulations. This movement began in California in the late 1950s and spread across the United States, influencing custom car culture and becoming an iconic symbol of self-expression and engineering ingenuity. The story of hydraulic lifted cars is marked by pioneers who pushed boundaries, like Jim Logue and Ron Aguirre, and by creative adaptations in different regions, from California to Michigan. This article traces the development of hydraulic lifted cars from their inception to their spread into various communities, recounting the individuals and innovations that helped shape this unique automotive phenomenon.

1 1957: California Vehicle Code 24008
2 1958: Jim Logue and the Fabulous X54
3 1958: Ron Aguirre and the X-Sonic
4 The Fabulous X54 or The X-Sonic? Who Was First?
5 Early 1960s: The Aguirre Family and Their Pioneering Hydraulic Installations
6 1962: Bill Hines - The Buddha Buggy
7 Early 1960s: Gordy Brown's House of Customs
8 Mid-1960s: Bear & Penguin - Backyard Innovators of Hydraulic Lifts
9 Mid-1960s: The Rise of Hydraulic Lifted Cars in Northern California
10 Mid-1960s: "Old Man" Al Sullivan
11 Mid-1960s: Bill Hines Brings Hydraulic Lifts to Michigan
12 Mid-1960s: Dick & Ron's Custom - Pioneers of Hydraulics in Huntington Park
13 Mid-1960s: Dennis "Red" Pierce - The Welder Who Went All In
14 Hydraulic Lifted Cars
15 People and Shops Installing Hydraulic Lifts
16 References

1957: California Vehicle Code 24008

In 1957, Governor Brown of California passed the California Vehicle Code 24008, a law aimed at regulating lowered cars. Enforced from 1958 onwards, the law prohibited any vehicle from having a part lower than the bottom of its wheel rim. Jim Logue recalled that "they used to have a rollerskate that they would roll under your car with a stick to check the clearance," reflecting how serious authorities were about enforcing this regulation.^[2]

1958: Jim Logue and the Fabulous X54

While working at the experimental department of North American Aviation in 1957, Jim Logue of Long Beach, California, decided to modify his 1954 Ford with hydraulic lifts. In 2017, Jim told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama that he got the idea from Citroën's hydropneumatic suspension, which allowed their cars to raise for off-road use. Jim, seeing an opportunity to use hydraulics to make his car practical on the street, reverse-engineered the concept to lower his vehicle. He sourced second-hand hydraulic parts from Palley Supply Company, a war surplus store, and meticulously worked out the right components. By late 1958, his car, known as the "Fabulous X54," was completed and featured hydraulic lifts at all four corners, making it one of the earliest known hydraulic lifted cars.^[2]

1958: Ron Aguirre and the X-Sonic

Around the same time, Ron Aguirre, a resident of Rialto, California, was frustrated by police harassment over his Corvette's low stance. Inspired by a body shop tool called a hydraulic Port-A-Power, Ron devised a system to install lifts on his car. With help from his father Louie, a welder, Ron created custom mounts and fitted a hand pump inside the car to control the hydraulics. The result was the X-Sonic, a bubble top show car that became famous as the first car ever to have hydraulic lifts to control ground clearance. It gained national recognition and was showcased across the United States.

The Fabulous X54 or The X-Sonic? Who Was First?

There is some debate over whether Jim Logue or Ron Aguirre was the first to install hydraulic lifts on their cars. Ron claimed that his X-Sonic had lifts from a Port-A-Power tool by October 1958, while Jim's Ford was featured in Custom Cars February 1959. According to Jim, the photo shoot for the article took place on September 30, 1958, the day before his birthday,^[3] suggesting his car might have had the lifts installed first. Jim’s Ford was mostly completed by October 1, 1958, and the lifts were on the car before Jim cut the roof off and fitted it with a 1957 Ford windshield. Jim can't remember exactly when he went over to Palleys to buy the hydraulics, but he believes that it was late in 1957 or early in 1958. He had all of the original receipts from Palley's and building the car, but unfortunately, these were lost in a divorce. While both cars incorporated unique hydraulic systems, Jim's Ford featured lifts on all four corners, whereas Ron's Corvette had them only on the front suspension.

Early 1960s: The Aguirre Family and Their Pioneering Hydraulic Installations

In the early 1960s, the Aguirre family—brothers Ron and Filbert, along with their father Louie—emerged as key figures in the development of hydraulic lifted cars. Building on the success of Ron's X-Sonic Corvette, which was among the first cars to feature hydraulic lifts, the Aguirres operated the first custom hydraulic suspension installation shop for cars. This shop was located in a two-story barn on their family property at 175 N. Acacia Avenue in Rialto, California. Working out of this barn, they began installing hydraulic systems on various custom cars, adapting surplus aircraft parts to create systems that allowed drivers to adjust ride height at the touch of a button.^[4]

The workshop in Rialto became a hub of innovation and creativity for the Aguirre family and their circle of friends. Ron's younger brother, Filbert played a crucial yet often overlooked role in the family business. Known for his technical skills, Filbert was responsible for creating the first documented wired hydraulic remote switch for a custom car, a breakthrough that would pave the way for the use of wired switches in hopper lowriders. His work also included one of the earliest under-dash hydraulic switch panel installations, showcased on Gerrit Greydanus' 1954 Chevrolet, demonstrating the Aguirres' forward-thinking approach to automotive customization.^[5]

One of the earliest known hydraulic lift installations by the Aguirres was on Garret Greydanus' 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air. A photo of the car taken at the 1961 NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, held on February 19, shows that it had already been fitted with hydraulic lifts by the Aguirres. The show sign mistakenly credited "Hydraulic Lifts by Aguire" (spelling their last name with one 'R'), but the impact of their work was undeniable. This installation predates their more famous work on other vehicles and highlights the early demand for their expertise in hydraulics.^[5]

Later in 1961, the Aguirres installed hydraulic lifts on Roy Abendroth's 1955 Buick Century, which would later be known as the "Busonic." The lifts, reportedly made from aircraft parts sourced from Palley's in Los Angeles, were installed before the car received its distinctive "Busonic Bronze Metalflake" paint job by Larry Watson. After hearing about Ron's innovative work from Watson, Roy was eager to have something unique for his Buick. He drove the car up to the Aguirre's workshop in Rialto, where Ron, Louie, and Filbert installed the hydraulic system while the car was still in primer to avoid damaging the new paint.^[6]

"Ron took it apart and put all the lifts in," Roy recalled, noting that the hydraulic components appeared to be adapted from aircraft parts, similar to those used to lift wheels in and out when flying. The work was finished around 1961, a year before the car made its show debut. Roy's Buick, with its eye-catching hydraulics and standout paint job, became one of the earliest lifted custom cars, following the X-Sonic and the Fabulous X54, further popularizing hydraulic lifts in custom car culture. Roy believes that Louie Aguirre did most of the installation work on his Buick, with significant support from Ron. In a 2020 interview, Roy mentioned, "I don't think it was even 500 dollars. I doubt it was that much." After the installation, Watson and Roy applied the "Busonic Bronze Metalflake" paint at Watson's Paramount shop. The car was initially shown in an unfinished state and made its full debut in 1962, further solidifying the Aguirres' reputation as pioneers in the world of hydraulic lifts.^[6]

1962: Bill Hines - The Buddha Buggy

After seeing Ron Aguirre's hydraulic-lifted X-Sonic Corvette in 1962, Bill Hines, a renowned custom car builder, became intrigued by the new technology. Inspired, Bill installed a full hydraulic lift system on Tats Gotanda's 1959 Chevrolet Impala, known as the "Buddha Buggy." The installation allowed Tats' Impala to raise and lower by 8 1/2 inches, making it one of the earliest hydraulic-lifted customs, following the X-Sonic. Bill's craftsmanship also included custom bodywork with scoops, split bumpers, and a unique grille, finished in Candy Blue with a Metalflake canopy.

Known as "The Godfather of Hydraulics," Bill was among the first to open a shop installing hydraulic lift systems in Southern California. He perfected his techniques, favoring traditional methods and materials, such as lead over Bondo. By the early 1980s, due to rising costs, Bill had stopped installing hydraulics but continued to innovate in custom car building, restoring antique cars and modifying Cadillacs into two-door convertibles.^[7]

Early 1960s: Gordy Brown's House of Customs

The early 1960s saw the further evolution of hydraulic lifted cars. Utah's law against altered suspensions pushed custom enthusiast Gordy Brown to relocate to San Fernando, California, where he opened the "House of Customs." His first hydraulic project was a 1963 Ford Thunderbird, which he modified with innovative hydraulic systems around 1963-1964. Gordy's unique methods involved using stainless steel lines instead of rubber and designing safety features to ensure that even if a hydraulic component failed, the car remained drivable. Most of the parts were purchased at Palley's in Los Angeles. The systems were 24 volts, and the fitting ends on the cylinders and pumps were AN Thread, a US Military spec, which made making and connecting lines challenging, as in those days, fittings and adapters were harder to find. Most people installing lifts in the 1960s used the lifts to lower the car as well as lifting it. Gordy was doing an old-fashioned lowering job, so the car had a good ride. The lifts were then used to raise the car up. As Gordy was using a great deal more of the spring in his systems, he had to create a cup for the longer spring. His mounting systems were also different, as he used a plate welded to the hydraulic cylinder instead of a loose doughnut for the cylinder to push up against. His system worked either the front or the rear of the car independently, and it had a Restrictor in the lines to keep the fluid from moving from one side to the other when turning with the lifts partially extended. In 2014, Gordy told Sondre Kvipt that his system was made for comfort and did not slam up or down.^[8]

Mid-1960s: Bear & Penguin - Backyard Innovators of Hydraulic Lifts

Tom "Bear" Snyder, a young car enthusiast from Downey, California, emerged as a pioneering figure in the mid-1960s for his work installing hydraulic lifts on cars. In the summer of 1964, Bear was working out of his parents' house, installing hydraulics in his makeshift shop. His reputation grew quickly after installing hydraulics on Jim Boyd's 1963 Ford. In 2011, Mike Perello told Sondre Kvipt that he first saw a lifted car in 1964. He was driving with a friend to the local A&W in Torrance. About a block before A&W, they passed a friend's house. The friend, Jim Boyd, had just finished a full customization on his Ford, and the car was parked at the curb lying on the ground. Mike had never heard of lifts, or seen anything like it, so he asked his friend if he knew what had happened to the car. He wondered why it was broke. The friend told Mike that the car had lifts. When Mike learned about lifts and how you could raise and lower a car from the inside with a switch, he flipped out. He had three weeks left before his license came back after a suspension, and he was really up for a set of lifts. They found out that Larry Watson knew the person who did the installation, so they took the Starliner to Watson. Larry sent the boys to Bear. At the time, Bear was in his early twenties, and he was working out of his parents house in Downey, Paramount or Lakewood, about a mile from Larry's paint shop. Mike had Bear install hydraulics up front on the Starliner in the Summer of 1964.^[9] According to Dennis McKee, "everyone" went to Bear for lifts in the mid 1960s.^[10]

In 2017 Keith Christensen told Kustomrama that Pengunin's mother had a grill next to his shop; "There was an in-between community between Downey and Paramount. There were two little communities in that tiny location, Hollydale and Clearwater, better known as Hynes. They were the stomping grounds of the Dutch and Portuguese. There are still two businesses there, one called Clearwater Lumber and Hines Truck and Wagon Scales, a big old barn that the dairymen used to pull their loads in to and weigh them. Both, to me, are historical landmarks. I had a muffler shop in Hollydale called Action Muffler. Next door, there was a small restaurant with four stables and some round bar stools that were mounted to the floor on a chrome post. It was called Berthas Grill if I remember right. No parking, just a curb, sidewalk, and Berthas. Her son was Penguin, who was the inseparable buddy of Bear. About like Laurel and Hardy. Whatever one did, the other joined in, and you can imagine hydraulics from them. I cut many of their platform parts for them. If you went into Berthas, there they were at the front little table."^[11]

Mid-1960s: The Rise of Hydraulic Lifted Cars in Northern California

In the mid-1960s, hydraulic lifted cars began to find their way from Southern California to Northern California. Enthusiasts in the area started to adopt the innovative hydraulic systems that had gained popularity in Los Angeles, thanks to the work of pioneering installers. The first known hydraulic-lifted car in Northern California was Albert Seeno Jr.'s 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix, which featured hydraulics installed by Bear from Bellflower. Following this, Richard Zocchi, a prominent custom car enthusiast from Northern California, added hydraulics to his 1964 Buick Wildcat. The work was performed by Bill Hines. Around the same time, Ronnie Baird, another enthusiast from the Pittsburg area who was acquainted with Seeno and Zocchi, decided to get hydraulic lifts installed on his 1965 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport. In 1965 or 1966, Ronnie drove his Impala down to Bill Hines' shop in Lynwood, California, to have front and back hydraulic lifts fitted. Mike Hines, Bill's son, recalled Ronnie's car as being one of the early vehicles Bill worked on for the Northern California crowd. This marked a significant step in bringing the lowrider culture and hydraulic lift trend to the region.^[5]

Mid-1960s: "Old Man" Al Sullivan

By the mid-1960s, hydraulic installations spread throughout Los Angeles, thanks to pioneers like "Old Man" Al Sullivan. Known for his work among African-American lowrider enthusiasts, Al became a mentor to future hydraulic experts like Carl Watson and Terry Anderson, who later opened their own shops and contributed to the growing popularity of lowriding culture in Los Angeles. “Al’s was where all of the black guys were getting lifted,” hopping champion Ted Wells told the staff of Lowrider Magazine. “In the early days, you understand, some white guys used to come over there, but as time went on it was mostly all black. Keep in mind, Al Sullivan would burn a hole in your framework. He didn’t cut it with a torch, he just burnt a hole.”^[12]

Mid-1960s: Bill Hines Brings Hydraulic Lifts to Michigan

Bill Hines brought hydraulic lifting technology from California to Michigan back in 1964 or 65. His nephew, Teddy Zgremski, had acquired a 1957 Chevrolet Nomad and wanted hydraulics installed on it. Bill pre-made the necessary components and, during a vacation to Michigan, helped Teddy install the hydraulic system, making Teddy's Nomad the first known lifted car in Michigan. Back then, nobody was doing hydraulics in Michigan, but Bil did a lot of them over in California. Teddy didn't have an ARC welder or anything like that back then, so they got it all set up before they took the car to the shop next door, Wyandotte Frame and Axle, who had an ARC welder they could borrow to weld the brackets for the shock absorbers and all that stuff. It was just the front that was lifted. "I would not do the back. Just the front, because I always liked the California rake, you know, when they put it down low in the front," Teddy told Sondre Kvipt in 2020. Teddy is pretty sure that his Nomad was the first lifted car in Michigan. "Cruising the drive-ins was great," he recalled. "Go through with the front bumper 2 inches off the ground. 10 minutes later. 12 inches." Teddy drove the Nomad every day of the year for two or three years. "Summer. Fall. Winter. Spring. I had a ski boat that I used to tow up North to my mom's place, which is about 195 miles away, and I never ever had one problem with those hydraulics. They didn't leak, and I never had to add fluid or nothing. I could not believe it, but they worked great." This installation marked the spread of hydraulic lifting beyond California, establishing it as a national trend.^[13]

Mid-1960s: Dick & Ron's Custom - Pioneers of Hydraulics in Huntington Park

Dick & Ron's Custom was a custom body, paint, and hydraulic lift shop located at 6034 Rugby Avenue in Huntington Park, California. Run by Ron Jones and Dick Sellars, both skilled body, fender, and paint specialists, the shop became well-known in the custom car scene of the 1960s for their hydraulic lift installations. Despite never having a sign or a formal name on their building, Dick & Ron's Custom became a cornerstone for lowrider enthusiasts looking for hydraulic lifts.^[14]

Ron and Dick's shop is believed to have been among the first to install hydraulic lifts on cars. According to Mike Davis, a member of the San Fernando Valley Illusions car club, Dick and Ron came up with the idea for their hydraulic systems while serving time in jail, where they conceived using surplus aircraft landing gear parts. To overcome the 24-volt requirement of the aircraft pumps, they ingeniously set up a knife-switch system that allowed them to charge two 12-volt groups at once, converting them to 24 volts.^[15]

Their hydraulic setups quickly gained attention. Mike Davis recalled the first time he saw a car lifted with hydraulics, a 1959 Ford Galaxie, at Oscar's Drive-In on Van Nuys Boulevard. The sight of what Mike believed was Larry Watson raising and lowering the car to maneuver around driveways left Mike and his friends in awe. Word of Dick and Ron’s innovative work spread rapidly, and soon members of the San Fernando Valley Illusions car club, including Mike himself, visited their shop to get lifts installed.^[15]

By the late 1960s, Dick and Ron's Custom had become one of the most prolific installers of hydraulic lifts, with custom car historian Howard Gribble noting that they likely did more installations than anyone else in that era. However, by the end of the decade, the shop closed, and Dick and Ron stopped installing lifts. Dick continued working independently, installing lifts like those on Howard Gribble's 1966 Buick Riviera and working at other notable custom shops, including Barris Kustoms. He eventually moved to the San Fernando Valley in the 1970s, running several body and custom shops, one of which was shared with legendary painter Larry Watson.^[16]

Mid-1960s: Dennis "Red" Pierce - The Welder Who Went All In

Dennis "Red" Pierce, a welder by trade from the South Bay area, was another early adopter of installing hydraulic lifts on cars during the 1960s. Inspired by the success of figures like Tom "Bear" Snyder, who was making money with hydraulic installations, Red decided to enter the lift business himself. Known simply as "Red," a nickname given due to his striking hair color, he quickly became a prominent figure in the South Bay's custom car scene.^[17]

Red operated out of a small shop in Downey, near Imperial Highway and Aviation Boulevard, right across the street from North American Aviation. With a focus on older cars, he built a reputation for quality installations, catering to a clientele mostly from the South Bay area. By 1967, his shop had moved closer to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), in either Hawthorne or Inglewood, where he continued to serve local car enthusiasts. Howard Gribble, a well-known figure in the lowrider community, had Red install lifts on his 1967 Chevrolet Impala that same year. Howard recalled that Red's shop lacked a sign or even a formal business name, reflecting Red's low-key but dedicated approach to his craft.^[18] Despite his skills and popularity, Red's business faced significant challenges. The California Highway Patrol began to crack down on hydraulic lifts, declaring them illegal for street use. This enforcement led to cars being impounded immediately after they left Red's shop, severely impacting his ability to operate. Unfortunately, this pressure from law enforcement forced Red out of business. Tragically, in 1972, Red's life was cut short when he was overdosed by friends, ending the career of one of the early hydraulic lift innovators.^[19]