Primed and shined

Four years ago, the 1969 Chevrolet Impala was just a rusted out clunker, but that same car was literally spinning in the spotlight at the 2009 Tejano Super Car Show.

Juan Martinez Jr., who is 18 years old and just graduated from Permian High School, purchased the Impala with a goal of restoration. This year’s car show was his first solo entry and Martinez was smiling like a new dad.

"It’s my baby. I’m real proud of it," Martinez said.

The 38th annual car show featured all the elements that have made this show an Odessa staple. Food, music, and shiny modified cars, trucks, motorcycles and bikes were at every turn. The Ector County Coliseum and all surrounding buildings were filled with the custom-made rides that were primed and shined for judging. Outside, the event featured a car hopping competition.

Martinez spent a year painting, remodeling and adding details to his car. The result is multi-colored car with a shiny motor, wheels and even a loveseat for the back seat. Martinez said he cut and shaped the loveseat and reupholstered it with orange and pink to match the rest of the car’s color scheme. Even the dome light was turned into a chandelier.

Martinez’ father, Juan Martinez Sr., owns an Odessa body shop and Martinez Sr. hired his son to work in his shop. Martinez said his parents didn’t pay for anything on the car and he earned every penny that he put into the car. In addition to the job, Martinez had to learn to balance school and other activities with the remodeling of his car.

"I was up until like 2 a.m. on a lot of nights," Martinez said. "(During school) I’d work on it during my breaks."

Families and friends come together to create the custom-made rides. Thee Artistics is a 31-year-old group that has chapters throughout the U.S. and consider all members family, regardless of distance or actual blood relation. Thee Artistics create and modify bikes and cars, and attend car shows in support of other chapters of the group. Californian John Hernandez and Adam Quintanilla, from Lubbock, are members of the club and say it’s a family-oriented pastime.

"It’s family oriented to the fullest …That’s the future, right there," Quintanilla said pointing at all the children in the club.

"We try to keep their mind motivated toward a positive goal and it keeps them out of trouble," Hernandez said.

Martinez agrees. Car restoration is something that has been a part of his life since he was born and he said he’s always looked up to his father. Martinez said he and his father are working on and plan to enter a 1965 Chevrolet Impala in the 2010 car show.

"I’m just following in my dad’s footsteps," Martinez said.