The Tucson Chapter Vice President of Duke’s Car Club, a prominent low rider club throughout the world, speaks about family and the culture of being a part of a club like the Duke’s.
According to the International Club President, as of seven months ago, Duke’s has a total of 55 chapters including a number of international chapters. The Club was originally founded in Los Angeles, in 1962 and began as a Social Club for people to get together with their cars and spend time together.
The types of cars people in the club were low riders, American cars from the 1930s through the 70s whose car bodies had been lowered close to the floor.
The Tucson Chapter originally started in 1989 by Alfred Terran Sr. and Sandra Terran, and now the chapter’s Vice President, is their oldest son, Alfred Terran Jr.
“We’re actually the first chapter outside of California.” Terran Jr. said, talking about the origins of the Chapter.
Terran Jr. has been with the club for 36 years going all the way back, to getting his first low-rider car when he was 16 years old.
Low-riders faced much stigma and apprehension in the mid 1900s due to their reputation of being associated with criminal activity, mainly due to big media of the time but also due to racial discrimination. Often being targeted by anti-cruising ordinances made by cities.
But to many these cars became a source of pride for their culture. The time and dedication it takes to restore cars. Before you can design and customize yourself.
“Peopele appreciate you with your vehicle, and your out there showing your ride and keeping you car clean and going out there for a cruisin’ and the people just appreciate you for taking out your car cause they’re not seen like that anymore.” Terran Jr. said, “People see a car like that especially if it’s a rust bucket and the look at and go ‘oh it’s just a rust bucket,’ but no you can always bring it back to life.
That pride and dedication to restoring a vintage car led to the children getting involved in the club too.
“Like I said many parents started the club and they got us involved and we were children back then, even my brother and sisters they were still like 10 years old.” Terran Jr. explained.
Terran Jr. mentioned that his mom is now helping her grandchildren—Terran Jr.’s and his siblings’ kids—get their own lowrider bikes, so they can join the club and start sanding and designing them themselves.
“I have grandchildren. Now my grandchildren are asking for low-rider bikes; they want to be in the low-rider scene and it’s a positive environment. It’s not out their gang banging, looking for trouble or anything like that. You save some money, get you a little low-rider bike, and try to make it the best way-it’s art work.” Said Terran Jr., “You can make it the way you want it, make your own creativity, and fix your own bike. Put your own wheels, put your own ideas on it, make it look crafty for you, as an individual. It doesn’t have to be what grandpa says or what dad says; it–it’s the individual as a child, what they see out there in the real world.”
While family is a main value for the club, so is community service and giving back. The club often helps with charities and festivals like Meals on Wheels and Tucson Meet Yourself.
“It’s nice to be out there and help the community, and support them because when we’re out there cruising, they’re out there, supporting us.”
As the acting Vice President of the Tucson Chapter Terran Jr. wants to continue on the club for his family, grandkids, and the community.
“We’re all stepping it up to get out there to show the community we’re still here for them, we’re still cruising showing out cars and now we want to step it on down to our grandchildren. . . . . so they can keep the vibe and the Chicano power going,”
