Houston has a particular automotive tradition. We’re not speaking about site visitors. We’re speaking about tricked-out, “Gradual, Low, and Bangin” SLABs, with these vivid, shining customized paint jobs, typically wrapped with designs, typically on show with the trunks open, and crammed with messages spelled in neon.
Oh, and the edges. Remember about these spoke-like rims on these older mannequin sedans with low-riding suspensions and bass-thumping subwoofers. You recognize them once you see them…and listen to them…and really feel them!
Houston’s automotive tradition, which earned nationwide consideration within the early 2000s by rappers like Paul Wall and Mike Jones, was on show in full drive late final month on the Automotive-Toon Competition on the Harrisburg Artwork Museum.
The pageant was the brainchild of scholars from the College of Houston’s Wolff Heart for Entrepreneurship, and it featured a collaboration between Houston automotive wrapper Freddy Wraps and the Houston Automotive Tradition membership.
Houston Issues producer Laura Walker will get the lowdown on the pageant and the automotive tradition it celebrated.
PHOTOS FROM THE CAR-TOON FESTIVAL:
A Honda with Houston’s iconic “Be Somebody” graffiti artwork on the Automotive-Toon Competition. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
Freddy Wraps exhibiting off his automotive on the Automotive-Toon Competition. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
A aspect view of a Freddy Wraps automotive on the Automotive-Toon Competition. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
A aspect view of a two-tone Cadillac designed by Alex from HTX Storage. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
A two-tone Cadillac designed by Alex from HTX Storage. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
Houston Automotive Tradition Mannequin Kat poses with a car on the Automotive-Toon Competition March 29. (Picture Credit score: hdot_photoLaura Walker/Houston Public Mediagraphy)
Vehicles wrapped with intricate designs on the Automotive-Toon Competition, March 29-30 at Houston’s Harrisburg Artwork Museum. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
Houston Automotive Tradition Fashions on the Automotive-Toon Competition (L-R): Kat, Stunning Ash, Meg Dabney, and Magy. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
A camouflage-wrapped automotive reveals off it engine on the Automotive-Toon Competition March 29-30, 2025. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
A classic Chevrolet Impala with the trunk and hood open alongside an old-fashioned bicycle on the Automotive-Toon Competition March 29-30. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
An old-fashioned-styled bike on show on the Automotive-Toon Competition. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
A automotive decked out in artwork from Marvel’s Iron Man by Freddy Customs. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
An anime-inspired automotive design by Freddy Wraps on the Automotive-Toon Competition. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
A metallic pink Acura at Houston’s Automotive-Toon Competition. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
A truck with an elaborate stereo system on the Automotive-Toon Competition. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
Houston Automotive Tradition Fashions Stunning Ash, Kat and Meg Dabney modeling with a automotive on the Automotive-Toon Competition. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
A classic Jaguar on the Automotive-Toon Competition. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
A automotive wrap impressed by the murderous Chucky doll from the “Kid’s Play” motion pictures. (Picture Credit score: Laura Walker/Houston Public Media)
