Featured Folks Of Interest Gene Winfield Is Winding Down His Journey - Thank Him For Taking Us All Along For The Ride

Thank You Mr. Gene Winfield
You inspired countless others
Your passion and creativity is timeless
Your legacy will endure

Safe Travels Sir

Jim

 

Hot Rod Hero!!

 

Have had the honor of talking to him at several events here in Calif. Even at show put on with Larry Watson. Has always been interesting to talk to. Sharing and teaching is part of his life. Thank you Gene for being such an inspiration to all.

 

good luck to you Gene & thanks for being involved in the car game. you've taught a lot of people and we all look up to you.

 

"Every Day Is A School Day" - Gene's favorite saying.

I owe Gene a lot of gratitude. I took his class twice (I am a slow learner). I was 75 years old when I took the first class. Both times, I appeared to be the oldest person in the class. It gave me the inspiration (and courage) to have one of my cars customized.

I also attended the Winfield-Watson Reunion (Mojave, CA) two times. In 2021, I drove my customized 1962 Volvo to the reunion.

Thank you,
Russ

p.s. Today's school day is wiring a dashboard

 

Best wishes to Gene that he doesn’t suffer much and can leave this Earth peacefully.

 

I took my ‘27T to Bakersfield for a CHRR and Gene saw it. He said he had one just like it when he was young and asked if I would mind bringing it over and parking it in his booth. Well, hell yeah. So I got to spend time talking with him about stuff. He’s one of those rare people who can make you feel like a good friend at your first meeting. I bought some ‘60 Dodge taillights from him for my old Ranchero along with some others that I just always liked. I still have them hanging in my shop.
It hurt to see him having troubles as a senior but seeing him continue to be involved in the kustom car business that he loves is gratifying. I pray that he enjoys every day surrounded by friends.

 

To few like him, God bless!

 

Gene has been an inspiration to many and shared his knowledge with thousands of Hot Rodders & Custom guys along the way, he has maintained good health for much longer than most and Gene is a icon of the custom car world and examples of his work will remain for many years to come, Gene is I'm my thoughts and prayers and I hope he is able to avoid the I'll effects and sickness that come with cancer and it's treatment, hang in there and keep fighting Gene.,we are all pulling for you. HRP

 

I’ll start this by saying that cancer sucks and absolutely no one should have to go through it. Mr. Winfield is an absolute legend, he’s built more customs than you can shake a torch at. Now, in the twilight years of his life , we need to support him, thank him and appreciate all that he has done.

 

Mr. Gene Winfield along with his artistic vision and amazing creativity have inspired so many for so long we will never be able to thank him enough. His contribution to the world of custom cars is truly priceless.

 

Gene is an icon, sorry to hear about the cancer. He has had quite the ride.

 

Met with Gene in Lone Star Roundup in Austin/got autograph/met him b4 in Houston. Very gracious and down to earth individual—super friendly,enjoys chatting with common hot rodders. Good luck will hopefully follow you in the “cancer” battle!!

 

That sucks to hear about the cancer diagnosis. Good thing is how many people he has taught and shared his knowledge with over the years. So even when he passes, his methods can live on.

 

Myself and my son Joe, ( dual quad 55 here on the HAMB ) met Gene Winfield many years ago at a show in Worcester, Massachusetts. I left my son at Gene's booth where they were BSing. Gene had to go to the rest room. He told my son to watch the booth. If anyone wants to buy something, the money box is right under the table. Later when Gene came back I went over to talk to him. I asked Gene why he trusted my son watch over his booth. Gene told me that after talking to my son for a while, he felt that my son was a trustworthy person. My son made me a proud father, and he still does today.

 

A life well lived. Cancer truly sucks. Guys like Winfield, Isky, Garlits and Xydias are cut from a different cloth than most, thriving well beyond their golden years. Wishing him a smooth transition.

 

I saw Gene at the swap meet, we talked for a minute. I have something to show you, I told Gene. I'll be back. I went home and brought a 40 Ford pickup hood off a truck that had been painted at his shop in 1963. The receipt was in the glove box when the truck was given to me. Unfortunately, I couldn't save it, crumbled in my hand. I donated the truck to a church that was helping a single mother get a car. I am blessed to have the opportunity to shake his hand.

 

Not sure if Gene wanted Barry to post that but here we are. According to Gene, hes gonna be putting on chopping classes again real soon!

 

I learned to do lead from watching Gene's videos and picked up some metal forming tips. I wish I could have taken one of his shop classes. I hope he can go gently.

 

What a guy.
Thanks for everything, Gene.

 

Gene has always been a pleasure to talk to. Truly a great guy

 

He's been a long time inspiration for thousands, thanks Gene.

 

I first met Gene at Pleasanton in 1998 where he had his booth set up out on the lawn next to a walk way. I got to spend a great few minutes just visiting with him and ended up buying my wife a pair of Chevy emblem earrings from him that he had in a display. She still has those. I got to visit with him at the Portland Roadster show a few times over the years and got to go to one of his metal working classes a few years ago. He is one of those who you just flat enjoy sitting back and listening to.

 

Give her hell Gene your not dead yet you can make it to 100 Jimmy Carter did it with brain cancer.

 

Met Gene when he was guest of honor at the Sydney(Australia) Hot Rod Show in 2017 and I won his
Personal Choice Award for the Hudson. What an incredible life journey he has had.

 

An amazing man.
Hell, not many can still even stand up at his age, it's amazing to see him still doing his magic.

Wishing him the best, and a safe journey forward.

Mike

 

He's been a hero to me since I was a kid, and that's been a minute.

 

Being a Southern California resident I've met Gene a few times over the years and I even went to the car auction a year or so ago and bought 2 long dead Kaisers from his estate that have his signature on the bill of sales.

When I was a teenager he made a really good impression on me the LA roadster show, I'm thinking that was in 1997 ish I don't think I was probably more than 19 years old and he probably talked with me for 20 minutes just about basic car stuff, I was so wet behind the ears back then and traditional car builds was still only in the vintage magazines for the most part, I'm not sure to this day but I'm pretty sure he liked the idea of a young man that was into the golden era of cars and Rods.

I hate hearing that he isn't well, for the last few years his health has been really bad and I'm sorry to hear that I'm hoping that he gets better and is around for another 10 or more years and hopefully I see him again on this side.