On Friday, November 8, 2024, the Original Lowrider Legends presented Fillmore resident Sonia Chessani, member of Good Times Car Club, with the Mentorship Honor Award at the Petersen Museum.

Above is Sonia Chessani with her son Alexz Chessani after receiving her award.

On Friday the evening of Friday, November 8, 2024, in Los Angeles, California, at The Petersen Museum, over 450 people were in attendance, where 13 recipients and three car club dynasties were celebrated. Fillmore resident Sonia Chessani is the only female recognized that evening by Host and Master of Ceremonies Joe Ray. Sonia was presented with a ring and the Mentorship Honor Award.

To her surprise weeks before actual presentation, Mr. Ray, previous 14-year Chief Editor of Lowrider Magazine and now Founder/Owner of Original Lowrider and Podcast Show, contacted Sonia to present her with accepting the Mentorship Honor award. After a brief conversation she accepted the honor, and said her first thought was, “Now I have to wear a dress!” Yet she was very grateful to be a recipient.
Sonia is happy she followed her teenage dreams of being in a car club, because when she started out in this passion, females were not easily embraced in the surrounding car club community; most rode with their significant other, or shotgun. Sonia said that she never tried to stand out as a female but wanted to be treated and respected as an equal. With determination and perseverance her dreams all came to favor. It all started when she was given membership and a plaque after her probation and acceptance with Nite Life Car Club of Santa Barbara in mid-80’s.

At present time Sonia has been an active member of Good Times Car Club based in East Los Angeles under Founder Paul Sanchez and Co. Founder late Jesse “Papo” Sanchez, belonging to the Southern California Chapter for 13 years under the direction of President Danny Jaime and Vice President Serafin “Pelon” Romero. Sonia has been heavily involved in the Lowrider Community for over 37 years, starting her passion in the mid 80’s. She commenced in the mini truck era when the Lowrider culture was at its low and evolved into the lowrider scene with her 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass.

Sonia has traveled over the years thru the States including California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, and Georgia this past year with relative Daniel Gonzalez of Daniels Kreations, as a support member to the Rick Ross Show while her car is currently under a full restoration, due to come out soon. Sonia is also Marketing Director of Lowrider Scene Magazine and is owner of her clothing line Lo Mio Apparel since 2020 which coincides with the Lowrider culture she represents.

Sonia has assisted working car shows over the years, placed in numerous shows, and been awarded several honors. In 2007 she was presented with an award at Long Beach Veterans Stadium “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 “Lowrider Girl” being featured back-to-back within months of each other 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 presented her with an “Excellence” award for magazine coverage, where she has been a member of Good Times Car Club since 2011. Sonia was also inducted into the National Lowrider Hall of Fame Class of 2019, and now recently chosen as a recipient “Lowrider Legends” Class of 2024.

Sonia says that her biggest honor is to follow in the Chessani Family’s car passion and only wishes her father, the late John Chessani, could be here watching her accomplishments, but is proud to have her mother, Adela, son “Freshh”, and so many friends and supporters who have stood by her side thru her journey over the years.