(left) Sonia Chessani with Good Times Car Club Founder Paul Sanchez at the National Lowrider Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

On November 16, 2019 in Los Angeles, California, Fillmore resident Sonia Chessani was inducted into the National Lowrider Hall of Fame (NLHOF) Class of 2019 along with 27 others worldwide. They came from as far as Japan, with three of the recipients being awarded the “Ford Dog”, top honor. Sonia was awarded a plaque and ring for her accomplishments.

She gives special thanks to all who have faithfully supported her throughout the years, and to all of her guests who traveled from various counties throughout California to attend the black & white formal dinner/dance ceremony.

To be considered an inductee Sonia had to first be nominated. To her surprise that nomination was submitted through Mr. Steve Morales aka “Duke” of Viejitos Car Club, a Palmdale, California resident who was inducted into the NLHOF Class of 2016.

To be selected for the NLHOF Class of 2019 Sonia had to submit her application along with hundreds of others to be chosen from. She was selected and inducted due to her contributions to the Lowrider Community over the past 32 years.

Sonia has been involved with car club showings throughout California, Nevada and Arizona. She has also been involved in the production and working car shows in California.

She has placed in numerous shows and been awarded various honors over the years. In 2007 she was presented with an award at Long Beach Veterans Stadium by Mr. Art Patino for “Ladies of Lowriding”. In 2014 Nite Life Ventura Co. Car Club presented her with an award for Dedication & Commitment in Ventura, Ca. In 2017 she was presented with an award of recognition by Pachuco Car Club in Oxnard, California at a show dedicated to “Women in Lowriding” for her involvement over the years; and for her 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass being featured in 2017 in Lowrider Magazine and Lowrider Scene Magazine, both published worldwide. In 2017 at an awards banquet in Las Vegas, Nevada, Good Times Car Club Founder Paul Sanchez also presented her with an “Excellence” award for magazine coverage, where she has been a member of Good Times Car Club since 2011.

She says her passion and dedicated lifestyle to the car culture came from her father, John M. Chessani Jr., who was also a lifelong resident, born and raised in the Piru/Fillmore area.

“I will always have my heart in the Lowrider Community as long as I can.”