Hydraulic Lifts by Aguirre

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.

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.

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.

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.

In the early 1960s, Ron Aguirre, his younger brother Filbert, and their father Louie, became key figures in the development of hydraulic lifted cars, building on the success of their earlier work with Ron's X-Sonic Corvette. By 1961, they were installing hydraulic lifts on various custom cars, using surplus aircraft parts to create innovative systems that allowed drivers to adjust ride height at the touch of a button.

History

The story of hydraulic lifts by the Aguirres began in 1957 when a new law, California Vehicle Code 24008, was enacted under Governor Brown, making it illegal for any car to have any part lower than the bottom of its wheel rim. The law, enforced starting in 1958, posed a problem for custom car enthusiasts, such as Ron Aguirre, who owned one of the lowest cars in Rialto. Local police officer Lester "Sandy" Groves made it his priority to ticket Ron for his car being too low, which led Ron to explore innovative solutions to evade the restrictions.

During a visit to a friend's body shop, Ron saw a bodyman using a hydraulic Port-A-Power tool to push out a dent. This inspired him to consider using a similar hydraulic system to lift his car. Ron shared the idea with his father, Louie, a skilled welder, who fabricated metal cups to hold hydraulic rams. Ron extended hoses into the car and placed a hand pump on the hump between the seats, creating the first version of a hydraulic suspension system. Within three months of purchasing the car, Ron had installed this first prototype.

However, the initial hand-pump system was cumbersome and did not lift the car evenly. Seeking a more efficient setup, Ron and Louie visited Palley's, an aircraft surplus store in Los Angeles, where they learned about various 12-volt and 24-volt pumps, cylinder lines, and equalizers to balance the pressure across the hydraulic system. Over time, they refined the system, allowing the car to move up and down smoothly with the push of a button.

Contributions of Filbert Aguirre

While Ron Aguirre is often credited with the development of the hydraulic system on the X-Sonic Corvette, his younger brother, Filbert Aguirre, also played a significant role in these early innovations. Filbert, who was heavily involved in the electrical and hydraulic installations on the X-Sonic, was instrumental in refining the hydraulic systems that Ron and Louie initially developed. Filbert is credited with creating the first documented wired hydraulic remote switch for a custom car, a groundbreaking development that paved the way for the use of wired switches in "hopper" lowriders and other custom vehicles.

In 1961, Filbert installed one of the earliest documented under-dash hydraulic switch panels on Gerrit Greydanus' 1954 Chevrolet, showcasing his ability to innovate in custom car hydraulics.

The Rialto Workshop

The Aguirres operated their pioneering hydraulic suspension installation shop out of their family property at 175 N. Acacia Avenue in Rialto, California. The property, an old orange grove with a large farmhouse and a two-story barn, served as the workshop where Filbert, Ron, their father Louie, and their friends experimented with hydraulic technologies. This workshop became a hub for innovation and creativity, where much of the early work on hydraulics in custom cars was done—literally taking cars down to the ground. Between 1958 and 1962, the Aguirre workshop was the first shop known to specialize in custom hydraulic suspension installations for cars.

Filbert graduated from Eisenhower High School in Rialto in 1961, and by 1962, he was making a name for himself by performing hydraulic installs. With his earnings, he purchased a nearly new 1961 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, which he customized with candy red paint, hydraulic lifts, custom white upholstery, and Buick wire wheels with thin whitewall tires.

Friendship with Ed Roth

Through their work on the X-Sonic, the Aguirre brothers formed a close friendship with legendary custom car builder and artist Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. When the X-Sonic went on a cross-country tour of the United States, Filbert served as the "tow truck" driver, helping to showcase the car and its innovative hydraulic system to a broader audience, further spreading the influence of the Aguirres' hydraulic innovations.

Rediscovery of Filbert Aguirre's Story

For decades, Filbert Aguirre's significant contributions to custom car culture were largely unknown. It wasn't until 2023 that his role in the early days of hydraulic suspensions was rediscovered, thanks to the efforts of Ross Ruiz from 46to64. Ruiz received a tip from a member of the San Bernardino Krankers car club, who mentioned that Ron Aguirre had a brother named Filbert who was deeply involved in the early hydraulic installations.

Driven by his passion for car history, lowriders, and hydraulic evolution, Ruiz searched for Filbert. After a series of cold calls and a fortuitous text message featuring a photo of the X-Sonic Corvette, Ruiz connected with Filbert. Through several conversations, Filbert shared incredible stories and insights from his years in the custom car scene, filling in many gaps about the early days of hydraulic innovations.

Legacy

The Aguirre family's contributions to the custom car world, particularly their pioneering work in hydraulic installations, have left a lasting impact on automotive history. From the early hydraulic systems developed by Ron and Louie to Filbert's groundbreaking innovations with wired switches and under-dash panels, the Aguirres laid the foundation for the modern lowrider movement and the widespread use of hydraulics in custom cars. Their legacy is remembered by car enthusiasts and builders who continue to draw inspiration from their innovations.

Cars Featuring Hydraulic Lifts by Aguirre

Garret Greydanus' 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air
Ron Aguirre's 1956 Chevrolet Corvette - The X-Sonic
Bill Franks' 1960 Ford Fairlane
Filbert Aguirre's 1961 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible

Larry Watson's 1962 Cadillac Eldorado