MANUEL CORBALA

A BUILD STILL IN THE MAKING

The work behind the wait

Through the 1980s and 1990s, Manuel Corbala competed with earlier versions of Strictly Business. First place repeatedly stayed just beyond reach. Second- and third-place finishes were significant accomplishments, but they were not the end of the road for Manuel or his car.

He kept at it: improving the build, modifying it, and looking for ways to take it further. Strictly Business was never treated as finished. Each new version carried forward the same commitment to craft and the determination to keep evolving.

A NEW CHAPTER

A dream realized in 1997

In 1997, a dramatic revamp of the paint and interior helped mark a turning point. Manuel earned Lowrider of the Year with Strictly Business—a milestone reached through years of persistence, change, and careful attention to the car.

And he did not settle for one victory. Manuel continued refining, repainting, and modifying Strictly Business, earning Lowrider of the Year again in 1998 and 1999. The car kept changing; the dedication behind it stayed constant.

DREAM IT. BUILD IT.

A car that kept becoming

Strictly Business is a story of persistence expressed through craftsmanship: keep learning, keep refining, and let the build grow with the vision behind it. That spirit is at the heart of SMB Expo’s “Dream it, build it!” philosophy. A dream is the beginning; the patience to keep building gives it form.