THE NEW FACES OF THE DALLAS LOWRIDERS

Sisters Mercedes and Mariah Mata grew up around the lowrider culture, but it wasn't until they got behind the wheel that they went all in.

The Mata sisters like to ride in “La Mera Mera,” Mercedes’ all pink 1984 Monte Carlo. They park on Jefferson Boulevard in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas before a Dallas Lowriders meet up on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.

The two are some of the youngest in the group, but have recently led the local lowriders in a revival.

“We just hope to continue inspiring other girls to get involved in this and spread the culture, all for the love for the culture and for la raza,” Mercedes says, referring to the Latino community.

Sisters Mariah (left) and Mercedes Mata sit in “La Mera Mera,” Mercedes’ 1984 Monte Carlo, parked on Jefferson Boulevard in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas before a Dallas Lowriders meet up on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. The two are some of the youngest in the group, but have recently led the local lowriders in a revival.

Members of the Dallas Lowriders park on Jefferson Boulevard in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas before a cruise to downtown Dallas on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.

Dallas Lowriders get ready to cruise to downtown Dallas after meeting up along Jefferson Boulevard on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. For many Oak Cliff residents, this sight is a Sunday tradition.

The interior of Mercedes Mata’s “La Mera Mera,” a 1984 Monte Carlo, is decked out in pink and references to the Dallas Lowriders and their weekly cruises to downtown Dallas on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.

Pedestrians record Dallas Lowriders as they start their cruise to downtown Dallas on Jefferson Boulevard on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. For many Oak Cliff residents, this sight is a Sunday tradition.

The sun begins setting over the Dallas skyline as a line of Dallas Lowriders cruise toward downtown on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. Music comes from the stereo of each driver, and they use controls for their cars to “hop” to the beats at they drive.

People stop outside of a McDonalds to watch the line of Dallas Lowriders cruising through downtown Dallas on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. They smile, wave at and record the lowriders as they pass.

Mundo Herrera (left) rides alongside fellow Dallas Lowriders as they cruise back to Jefferson Boulevard after looping through downtown Dallas on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.

Dallas Lowriders point their vehicles back toward south Dallas as they finish their cruise through downtown on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. When they arrive back in Oak Cliff, they will fill the parking spaces along Jefferson Boulevard and spend time together as a group.

LIESBETH POWERS

PHOTOJOURNALIST

THE NEW FACES OF THE DALLAS LOWRIDERS

Sisters Mercedes and Mariah Mata grew up around the lowrider culture, but it wasn't until they got behind the wheel that they went all in.

LIESBETH.POWERS@GMAIL.COM

@LIESBETHPOWERS

linkedin.com/in/LIESBETH-POWERS

LIESBETH POWERS

PHOTOJOURNALIST

THE NEW FACES OF THE DALLAS LOWRIDERS

Sisters Mercedes and Mariah Mata grew up around the lowrider culture, but it wasn't until they got behind the wheel that they went all in.

LIESBETH.POWERS@GMAIL.COM @LIESBETHPOWERS linkedin.com/in/LIESBETH-POWERS

LIESBETH.POWERS@GMAIL.COM

@LIESBETHPOWERS

linkedin.com/in/LIESBETH-POWERS