BETA
Chapter 1
The birth of the SLAB
Chapter 2
Houston whimsy art cars
Chapter 3
Where two car worlds collide
YOUR GOAL
Master of Slabs and art cars
Ch 1 · The birth of the SLAB
futura Houston SLAB Car Culture
Rollin' slow, loud, and bangin' with the swangas pokin' out
futura Vivid candy paint jobs and trunk-mounted fifth wheels define the exterior aesthetic of a classic SLAB.
futura Swangas are highly sought-after wire-spoke wheels that protrude significantly from the car's sides.
Fun Fact
SLAB trunks: Many SLAB trunks feature motorized, robotic hinges that swing the lid open and closed automatically while the car is moving.
Glossary
slab (noun)
A broad, flat, thick piece of stone, wood, or other solid material. In Houston, these customized vehicles first appeared in the city's Black neighborhoods during the mid-1980s.
A broad, flat, thick piece of stone, wood, or other solid material. In Houston, these customized vehicles first appeared in the city's Black neighborhoods during the mid-1980s.
Quiz
Which classic luxury car's 1983 and 1984 factory rims inspired the iconic protruding 'swanga' wheels?
Quiz
Which legendary Houston DJ pioneered the slow, heavy hip-hop tempo that matches the cruising speed of SLABs?
Quiz
Which decade saw the initial birth and rise of the SLAB car culture in Houston's African American neighborhoods?