LEGENDARY CUSTOMIZER & CUSTOM PAINTER, GENE WINFIELD, has had a career that spans seven decades ! But, there are still some out there who are not aware that Gene's life in Rods & Customs actually began as a hard-core racer at the dragstrips in California, and the sites of El Mirage & Bonneville. With that in mind, in this Interview I wanted Gene to fill-me-in on his racing history, his race cars, the engines that he used, and, the times of his successful runs. ALSO, Gene has been filmed for a number of TV Shows and I wanted to zero-in on the "History Detectives" Episode he was featured on for PBS and get his feelings on that experience. Gene never disappoints me...his memory of events, people, and, places, are razor-sharp, so just click-on here and take a trip "back in time" with one of the Hall Of Fame's Charter Members: Gene Winfield ! Hope my friends here on the H.A.M.B. enjoy this...Gene is a true R&C treaure ! Jonnie King www.legends.thewwbc.net (That pic above is from the collection of one of Gene's old friends in the "Century Toppers" Car Club: Joe Barnett.)
Thanks to those who saw Gene in Salina this year ! You're right: the man is always "on the go"...never stops, and we'll cover some of his WorldWide Travels in a coming story. Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
If you missed this yesterday, take a few minutes to check-it out. Gene had been suffering from Strep Throat when we did this taping...and he didn't miss a beat ! JK
I really enjoy these interviews and the history that is being saved and archived for the next generation. No better teacher than Gene Winfield. Thanks Jonnie
Jalopy Joker... You are SO right ! And, thank you too. hotrod1940...My sincere thanks for the kind words. We always have to link the Past to the Future, so that knowledge lives on and won't be forgotten. Gene's words and stories are an extremely important part of the History of Rods & Customs:http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage162.html Thanks to venues like the H.A.M.B. we can spread the word WorldWide ! With appreciation to all who take the time to visit & learn, Jonnie King www.legends.thewwbc.net
SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL MY FRIENDS HERE AT THE H.A.M.B... MOST OF YOU KNOW that Gene Winfield is one of the GREATEST Pioneers/Legends of All-Time due to his mastery of chopping, channeling, sectioning, painting, the legendary Rods & Customs he's built, his appearances at Shows WorldWide, and, the magazine features/TV features he's been involved in through all of his year's. Plus, all of the Interviews he & I have done since 2006. BUT, what many aren't aware of is the fact that in the late-1940's to the early-50's, Gene was a Champion Drag Racer, and also raced at the dry lakes at El Mirage & Bonneville ! His career has been a constant one of shift, change, and, accomplishment in ANY field he's tackled ! SO, in this Interview that we did in 2011, for the first time, Gene & I talked at length about his early Racing career...and this is truly one of the most-informative stories you'll hear about that part of his life, and I've re-worked the Page & the Info, made the print easier to read, and, all-in-all wanted to share this with you again as some may have missed it before, and many of you are new to the H.A.M.B. It's so very fascinating that you will really learn alot more about Gene for sure ! HERE'S THE DIRECT LINK: http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage162.html ENJOY ! Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
I had Gene sign this photo for me a few years ago in Salina Ks. a he told me (What the hell was I thinking). What a nice guy. Wasn't a lot of worry about safety back in the day. They were some tough old dudes. My wife and I meet Joe Barnett at Good Guys In Del Mar Ca. few years ago, We spent a couple hours with him what a cool guy and the things he has done , and the photographs He has taken. Rodders Journal did a story on Joe it took 2 issues and it still just touched on his life. Just two of the great people in this hobby. Thanks for the post
j3harleys... Great story ! And, yes, Gene, Joe, **** "Magoo", Don Ferra, and, many of the others, were ******** racers ! To hear Gene talk about the legendary pioneers/icons that he does in this Interview is "turning the clock back" to that time...by one of those icons who was there !! http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage162.html Thanks again...glad you got to meet him & get the photo signed ! Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
Jalopy Joker... Sorry my Comp. took-off on its own and got that "double" whatever. I simply wanted to say "Thank you"...for your earlier & current Post ! Take care...thanks again. Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
Thanks ! Gene loves the Roundup...and he is always willing to talk to all that take time to visit him. Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
Ranchero59... Your welcome ! All the stories that Gene has in just these few minutes of this one Interview are so great ! The one in that he tells about the legendary Doane Spencer and how he helped Gene is one that's got to be heard ! http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage162.html BTW: As usual, if you have any Gene stories you want to share please do ! Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
'Kustomizer' Gene Winfield (now 90 years old) and Ed Iskenderian (a spry 96) looking over the Ford hotrod that Ed built way back in 1939. This is a time-capsule car direct from the dawn of hotrodding...original (even the tires) and un-restored. Just posted this on my Instagram @ashevillelane from my friend Steve Straw... Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
i420... Many thanks for these pix ! So cool that they could both be there at the same time...with Ed's Rod ! Ed always a master in his field...his cams have always "stood the test of time" ! And, his racing history was where his equipment could really prove itself in-person ! Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
Thanks to all for the great posts & emails on this Interview ! And, Greg, you're right ! Gene is so clear about his Info that you can visualize what he's talking about when you listen to him ! http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage162.html Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
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