The Birth of Brown Image Car ClubBy Teodoro M. EgiptoFounder and First PresidentBorn May 26, 1953

My name is Teodoro “Ted” M. Egipto.From a young age, I was always amazed by how creative, custom, sharp, and clean lowriders could be. At sixteen years old, I would watch these cars cruising out from behind the community concourse, and I knew I wanted to be part of that culture.

I began talking with friends about starting a car club. I spread the word, and anyone interested was invited to meet at Chicano Park around August or September of 1970. At that time, the park was still under construction. More than thirty young men showed up that day. We held a vote, and I was elected President of the club. Some who were not elected to officer positions chose not to continue, including my former partner, Pancho Rodriguez. Officer positions such as Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant-at-Arms were also voted on.

The following week, I scheduled our next meeting at the Chicano Federation building. We still had over twenty active members. At that meeting, we discussed choosing a name for the club. Suggestions included The Dramatics, Emperors, Latin Lords, Latin Image, and Brown Image, which I personally suggested. This was the 1970s—we were rebellious and proud to be Chicanos and Mexican-Americans. The name Brown Image reflected who we were and how we saw ourselves, and it became our identity.

We established monthly dues ranging from five to twenty dollars. We enforced rules and discipline, including penalties for missing meetings or showing up with a dirty car. Members who did not maintain their vehicles were not allowed to fly a plaque, as pride in our rides and in our club was very important to us.

As the club grew, we became highly organized. We held car washes, dances, and events featuring Southern California bands such as Mixed Breed, Soul Patrol, and The Family. We later brought in well-known recording artists, including The Midnighters, The Penguins, The Chantels, Ron Holden, and Johnny “Flamingo.” Our treasury grew, allowing us to rent charter buses for members and their families, including trips to Disneyland. We hosted block parties by closing down Logan Avenue and even rented our own Brown Image clubhouse.

Running Brown Image required a great deal of work—organizing events, planning meetings, and going to City Hall to secure permits. Our regular meetings were held on Fridays and operated by majority rule. The floor was open to all members, and most attended. After meetings, we often celebrated, followed by caravans of lowriders cruising down National Avenue to 32nd Street and then stopping at Otto Square, riding with pride and showing what we had built.

Not everything always went as planned. One night after a meeting, I was supposed to meet members at a house party in East San Diego, but I accidentally went to the wrong house. I was standing outside wearing my Brown Image jacket, with my 1962 green metallic Impala with white diamond tuck parked out front, flying my colors proudly. A group approached me and asked if I was Brown Image. When I answered yes, I was suddenly attacked—struck from behind and then in the chest and face. I ran down a dark street, knocking on doors until a woman finally opened one and called the San Diego Police Department. In those days, there were no paramedics—only a police van.

I survived that attack, and it did not stop me from taking care of Brown Image business. At times, several of us would cruise to Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles on Sunday nights, where nearly every corner was filled with cars and car clubs such as the Imperials, Groupe, and New Wave.

On one occasion, the Classics of Santa Ana invited Brown Image to one of their house parties. We decided to attend, and approximately ten cars participated. After we returned home, there was a knock at my door. When I opened it, one of the men pointed a gun at my head and accused Brown Image of stealing a car from their club. I told them we did not steal any cars and that all our members owned their own vehicles. They demanded to know who “Lonely” was and where he lived, identifying him by the name on his jacket. I again told them that Lonely had not stolen any cars. They forced me into one of their cars and drove toward Lonely’s house.

As we approached Otto Square, the police pulled the car over. An officer walked up and asked, “Aren’t you Ted from Brown Image?” I told him yes. He asked why I was with these men at that hour, and I told him I had been kidnapped and that they had a gun. They claimed we had stolen a car. The police removed me from the vehicle and searched it but did not find the gun. The men were then sent home. Later, the car in question was found in South Central Los Angeles.

As time went on, I was seeking stable work to support my family. I was offered an opportunity to move to La Paz in Keene, California, about thirty-two miles east of Bakersfield. La Paz was the headquarters of the United Farm Workers and the home of Cesar Chavez. I served as his bodyguard and traveled throughout California with him for three years.

When I returned in 1979, I learned that Chris, my Vice President, had taken his own life. That loss deeply affected the club, and over time, Brown Image began to decline. However, many members never stopped staying in contact and continued to gather and support one another whenever possible.

Brown Image Car Club remains real, organized, and active. It was founded in 1970, built by its members, and remains determined to leave a legacy in our community.

Respectfully.

Teddy Egipto
Brown Image

It all began in the 1970's at our barrio logan heights
