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

I took Gene's class roughly 22 years ago and was just amazed at his skills, stamina and all around great guy personality. What a wonderful experience for me and all whoever took his class or new him in the hobby. Thank you Gene. You're a hero for many!

 

I've not met Gene but he is in my thoughts through these difficult times as he was when I gave some support when he was in Japan not so long ago. He bounced back from that thankfully. This time sounds a much more difficult hill but he is a fighter and I'm sure he will give it a hard time to get him down. It's great to see him out doing what he loves even if the torchs are parked for the fight.

I can't add much that hasn't been said other than he's quite a mover and shaker with a heart of gold that has done so many things for the Culture. Take care Gene...

 

Gene's one of my heroes. I got to watch him do some welding on a chopped Chevy, got his autograph on a T roadster dash, and one time he pulled some moldings out of the cart I was pulling around at the Iola swap meet and bought them off of me. I didn't want to sell them, but I couldn't tell him no. I still have the money he gave me.

Guys like him and Isky, not just living a very long life, but still plying their skills, that's very inspiring to me. Gene didn't even have grey hair until the last few years.

 

Around ‘91 when the AMBR was held at the Cow Palace in SF, Gene had a booth and I asked if he had any ‘56 Buick taillight lenses to retrofit on my ‘55 Chevy. He said he thought he did at his shop and to pay him 25 bucks and if he didn’t have them he’d send the money back. He then gave me a tutorial on what to do to make them fit. That was on Sunday, they showed up that Tuesday. Just the nicest gentlest guy. His wife was there too, really sweet lady.

 

Met Gene in 2010 at Portland Roadster Show..one of the nicest, humble guys.

 

I am enjoying reading all these posts.
It brightens an otherwise sad day.

Jim Holguin @Sanford&Son texted me
this morning that Bill Bennett died yesterday
evening of a heart attack in Tulare, CA.
He helped Jim bring some Model T folks
to the Ag Center for the first Swap-O-Rama
a few years ago.

Thanks to all of you for sharing stories
and memories in a timely manner about
Mr. Gene Winfield.

Jim

 

A true legend, and legends never go away. But they do leave a path for the future to follow, and he'll be followed throughout time. Blessings to you Gene Winfield...

 

Gene is a true ambassador for the Kustom and Hot Rod car culture. Always a Gentleman and a welcoming person. Wishing Him peace and comfort

 

I don't have a "Here's when I met Gene Winfield" story because I've never had the opportunity to meet Gene. Never-the-less, I am in awe of his talent, his longevity in the art of customizing, and his graciousness with his time. God bless you, Gene.

 

This hobby, passion, we share would not be what it is today without the contributions of wisdom and talent of people such as Mr. Winfield. Thank you Gene, hope the ride is a smooth one.

 

I just want to say, that Mr. Gene Winfield, is indeed "The Genuine Article"
That being said, I just want to offer up these two particular vintage classic songs by Johnny Adams,
"The danger zone" and,
"Body and fender man"

The lyrics are spot on for these times. When you hear these songs and this classic voice and the power that is conveyed, then you will hopefully understand why I posted these two great songs!

Gene has always been close to the danger zone in one way or another all through his incredible life!
And lets face it, he is indeed, "The Body and Fender man"

​

 

I've seen him pretty regularly at swap meets (mainly LARS). I'm such a goof I just wave and say "hi". I talked to him a little bit (which is a lot for me and for whoever is on the receiving end) about days past and what we call traditional now. It was at Pleasanton in '96, I was pretty young and saying stupid shit like "I like old Hot Rods and Customs" as he was signing a poster. I met Roth at the same show..........and did the same stupid shit.

 

Gene so much well deserved praise has been used to describe and honor you and I can only add that I think the world has been a better place for you having been in it. I wish you peace and God's blessings.

The first time I ever heard the mention of 'Gene Winfield' was when as a teenager I picked up a copy of the January 1980 issue of Custom Rodder, which I still have, and seeing the beautiful Jade Idol on the cover. Still one of my all-time favorite customs.

 

He wasn't just a body man and customizer. He was a hot rodder - ran this on the salt and at El Mirage on the regular.

 

I've met him a few times. The first was at Detroit Autorama 20+ years ago. I asked for a pic and Gene being Gene...he says 'How about a pic with your wife?' HAHA! He's had a great life...a life most of us could only dream about having. I'm happy to have met him.

 

God's going to be so happy having both Watson and Winfield to do the fade jobs in the sky.

Larry: What do you want to do, Gene? Sunrises or sunsets?
Gene: Oh... either one is fine.
Larry: How about we take turns?
Gene: How about we work together?
Larry: Awesome!

God: Nice job, fellas.
How about a little gold leaf?
Larry and Gene: You got it!!!

 

Ughhh...Sucks when you know the end is near, but at the same time you get to say goodbye.

 

Never met him but always admired him and his work. I love how he worked and could get up and down like a man in his 30s although in his 80s at the time. He always stressed to never stop.
I dress the way I do because of how he dressed. Red kap pants and a t-shirt. He is the epitome of hotrodding and customs in looks and actions.

 

Met Gene a few times around 2011-2014 and surprised me every time when he remembered who I was. I remember meeting him at his table at KKOA Salina and the star struck was brushed away quickly with how dang nice he was. With so many bullshitters out there you could tell right away he was a good dude.

Later that afternoon BobK invited us along for a dinner that included everyone from Gene, Barris, and the Alexander brothers. I just kept looking up to see another legends face saying hi. It’s a car memory that will always be at the top of my list. Grateful to be alive at the same time Gene is.

 

Off the clock too. I remember probably 10 years ago, being at Continental Club Saturday night of Round Up weekend ordering coffee and trying not to yawn too much, and Gene is out there dancing circles around most everyone else.

I feel privileged to have met him a few times. Once at the Houston Autorama, I was talking to him and he grabbed his camera to show me something. He scrolled quite a few pictures in one direction before realizing he went the wrong way. He says something like "oh well, now you have to look at all of them." Just such a friendly and easy to talk to personality. Hoping for the best for him.

 

Bill Hines was slinging lead right to the end...You can't keep good men down...Go Gene go...

 

Met him a few times, nothing major, he signed a few things for me. Always has a smile and a laugh. He usually has a hot girl on his arm. Great guy that lives a great life, and will always be a hero to the hot rodding world.

 

Few people have contributed and lasted as long as Mr. Winfield... I enjoyed having pizza with him in Detroit years ago. What a nice guy.

 

If you see Gene again ,ask him how got to live so long. It may surprise you.

 

think he likes to say it's what he eats...

 

I never had the pleasure of meeting Gene, but have read a lot about him, so much I feel like I know him! So sorry to hear of the cancer! That sucks, I like others , have had cancer attack my family. I hope the best, for my friend! He helped a ton of people. He is one of the rare ones!





Bones

 

God Bless Us All...

 

Several years ago, I was in line to buy Gene's book and have him sign it. When I got up there, he asked if I had a project. I said yeah, a '57 Chrysler I had just picked up, that I was planning to make a kustom out of.

He said, "Cool!" and asked me for a picture of it. I dig out my phone to show him a picture I had photoshopped.




At first, he was excited, but then he looked a little puzzled. He says, "You gonna CHOP THAT or what??!!"

Thank you, Gene. First, just for being a legendary bad ass. Second, for a lifetime of teaching, coaching, and inspiring every hotrodder and kustomizer on the planet.