By: Rodney Gisick Photos: Christopher Donohue and Ray Rangel
Jesse, Art, and Ray were three lone wolves in the Sin City car culture scene. What started as casual acquaintances at local car shows, ended up as close friendships and a new car club.
“Sin City Jokers, Rods & Customs Car Club” was born after Jesse, who owns a ‘54 Chevy Bel Air, and Art, with his cool ‘30 Model A hot rod, finally got together at Viva Las Vegas 2007. Ray joined them with his ‘53 Chevy Bel Air soon after and together they started the club. Luckily they all had the same vision – a club without officers, rules and dues! And, they wanted to stay true to the traditional style of how cars were built back in the ‘50s. “We all agreed to have pre-’59 cars in the club, with some exceptions, and they must meet the clean traditional style – Classic, Custom or Hot Rod.” More than anything, they all wanted to support the car culture scene.
Sin City Jokers, Rods & Customs Car Club departed from most of the male-dominated auto clubs and welcomed women as members. Their vision wasn’t just about cars, but also about making good friends who shared their passion. Two of their wives, Cecy and Teresa, wanted to be in the driver’s seat of their own classic cars. No more passenger seats for them. Now Cecy drives a ‘54 Ford Customline and Teresa a ‘59 Cadillac. And, they are as much a part of the club as anyone else.
Right from the start there was a strong bond between these founding members and before long Chito, with his ‘46 Plymouth, Eddie, in his ‘47 Chevy Fleetline, and Ryan, in his ‘63 Lincoln Continental became new friends and members. Then came Juan Carlos, with his ‘49 Chevy Deluxe, who joined at Viva Las Vegas ‘09. Now their friendships and passions for cars have them traveling often to many local and out-of- state shows. It’s become a close family of friends, which is just what they wanted. I guess Jesse, Art and Ray really aren’t lone wolves any longer.
