SP Rides: ‘Diamond in the Rough’
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Jay Viloria
Age: 34
Occupation: Truck Driver
Hobbies: Low-riding
Year/Make/Model: 1987 Monte Carlo Luxury Sport
Color: Custom Blue Mark @ Napa
Pin-striping: Manny’s Auto Art in California
The Monte Carlo has a long history in the domestic scene. The model has been in Chevrolet’s catalog since 1970 and attracted quite a following — with enthusiasts ranging from domestic muscle lovers to dedicated low-rider fans such as Jay Viloria.
This week’s featured car, a 1987 Monte Carlo Luxury Sport, is the ride Viloria always wanted. He acquired this rare gem from an older couple — the Monte Carlo’s first owners — and surprisingly, the vehicle was in immaculate condition at the time of purchase, thanks in part to a recently refreshed A/C and an interior that showed very little signs of age. Low-rider enthusiasts often flock to the Luxury Sport as opposed to the SS version, which is more for domestic muscleheads.
Viloria said he has big plans for this car, which includes turning it into a full-featured show vehicle. What he doesn’t intend on doing is convert it to a hopper, though, because he claimed it would be a shame to put the car through the extreme demands of hopping. Visuals are what this ride is about, and Viloria has them in spades with this Luxury Sport.
The paint on this car truly must be seen in person to fully appreciate its grandeur. A custom mix of Indigo Blue has been swirled together with glass, candy and pearls, courtesy of NAPA. Viloria’s cousin helped get the bodywork in order, while Bill’s Chop Shop did the honors of spraying on the gorgeous coat.
With the bodypaint completed, next came the pin-striping from Manny’s Auto Art, based in Cerritos, California. The shop’s owner made his way over to the 50th State, spent two weeks enjoying the local hospitality while applying the gorgeous artwork to Viloria’s ride. The result is spectacular, especially the custom-laid Outsiders logo on the rear trunk.
13-inch Chinas give the low-rider its “low” look. The wheels were custom painted and additional pin-striping helped put the finishing touch on this work of art.
Viloria now resides on “the ninth island,” aka Las Vegas, Nevada, and so the opportunities to turn this car into a true show-stopper are overwhelming. He acknowledged that he views the Luxury Sport as “a diamond in the rough” and plans to make the most of his beauty of a ride.
