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

His former caretaker and abuser is posting on his the Winfield Instagram again about people having stolen stuff.

I don't know what's going on here, but I wish Gene a peaceful battle.

 

Gene needs our prayers more than ever right now. Snowman ⛄️

 

Gene Winfield, a true original, and a true legend, wishing him the best.

 

Gene Winfield made the skirts for my brothers 51 Merc
I have seen him at the Detroit Autorama down stairs doing a chop
Can’t say I know him but at least I did get to see him doing his craft.

every time I here an old guy say I just can’t get down under cars anymore I think of Gene.

 

Godspeed Gene.It has been a pleasure to be a part of the car world with such an ambassador as yourself. I pray that Jesus meets you with open arms and a project car to keep you busy.

 

Gene is a good dude and I wish him a trouble free ride to the end. It's upsetting to hear about parasitic people hanging around him.

 

Gene did most of the metalwork on my friend, Leland Grantz' '50 Chev convert. Leland bought the Chevy new in San Francisco, and shortly thereafter started making the trek to Gene's shop, when it was in his Mom's chicken coop... Leland helped Gene move into his new shop, using his '40 Plymouth Sedan Delivery, that his Dad bought new, as shown in one of the photos. Of note is that while Leland's convert was in the shop, the R&C Dream Truck was also in the shop having the hood sectioned and the wheel wells cut out..... Spence Murray took that photo... Gene is the epitome of a hot rodder/customer/racer. His stories stretch far and wide. I am thankful for all that he has contributed to the sport

 

Thank You Sir And You Made A Big Difference..

 

As I once posted in the old Linda Vaughn photo thread. How do you give a legend a proper send off, how do you tell them what they mean to you? There aren’t enough words in the English language to explain how the hot rodding community feels about this honorable man. I’d like to think of Mr. Winfield as a humble man who built a laundry list of great customs. If I ever get to meet him there’s a good chance I’ll give him a big hug as opposed to shaking his hand( sorry fellas but I don’t think shaking his hand would be enough) .

 

Always had a fun conversation with him.
Spent some time in Detroit with Kat and also in Syracuse talking car stuff.

 

I care about the man. Would like to hear more of his current story. Is he getting out to events? Everybody has their own opinion on what’s happened to him in the last few years. I just think he was mostly having a good time, and I liked seeing that part.

 

2023 Detroit Autorama. Prayers for you Gene.

 

What a thrill meeting and talking to one of the legends of our hobby! He had chopped 9 tops when I met him in 2017 at SEMA..
Thoughts and prayers indeed!

 

Not sure if this is legit, but amazing if he is still roaming to far off appearances. Pretty tough customer!
https://autotrusta.com/a-gofundme-to-help-ailing-custom-car-icon-gene-winfield-just-raised-98000/

 

I don’t have enough third hand information to tell you guys anything specific. I have a feeling it’s getting serious but I don’t know for sure. All I know is that I just did a Google search: “it says yes there is a GoFundMe . . . “. Turns out that was from 2018 I don’t know who really knows. I just have a feeling that he should be in our prayers.

 

Gene is the adopted son of Paso Robles, CA.
He has a network of folks who donate
their time - energy - efforts to taking
care of his daily needs and seeing that
he is comfortable.

I shared his fundraiser in Paso Robles
last Fall here and on social media to
inform folks of efforts to help him.

I have the number of one of his
daily caregivers so if anyone wants
to contribute to helping Gene please
call or text me and I will share that
directly with you.

Jim
260-804-6695

 

The over seas deal was years and years ago guys.

 

I'm sorry, I should have checked that out better.

 

Met Gene, An the care taker, "23" rain out week...
Here's neat shot at the Black an White..

 

Has been an honor to get to meet this man and watch him at work chopping tops many times over the years here in Detroit at the Autorama. I stumbled upon this thread when I was checking to see if the old goat would be there yet again, even in his late 90’s like every other year… Such a humble man, always ready with a smile and never turning down a request for a picture. I was thinking of him Friday when I was at a model car club meeting, and I just had to buy an AMT 40 Ford sedan Delivery, another Gene Winfield custom, “genes moving van” I think one of the set of decals say. Possibly one of his shop trucks?

Anyways, the legacy of this man cannot even be put to words. From early hot rod parts, to running at the dry lakes and Bonneville, to custom paint jobs to kustom cars to movie cars… always willing to share his secrets and teach the next generation how he did things.
Truly one of the last of the “big trees”. They just do not make them like him anymore. He has more work ethic then 10 men combined of my generation…. Next time you think “I’m too tired/old/broken down/“I can’t” ,.. I want you to think of Gene Winfield!

I hope he gets to go on his own terms, in his own time, he’ll know when that is. We love you Gene! We owe you a debt that can truly never be repaid. Your legacy will outlive us all.

 

Jim

 

I was 6 years old when Mr. Winfield was
already a Hot Rod & Customs Legend





Jim

 

Sad news. I have had the chance to speak with him at several shows thru the years and at El Mirage. Always a pleasure to talk to and remembered me from meeting years before. Truly one of the great ones.

 

When my daughter was a teenager we would go to Detroit Autorama every year and my daughter always looked forward to going in the basement and seeing Mr. Winfield who would always take time to talk to her.

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/EMno3TkfnC5qf5zZA
Wonder if the new owner realizes this is a place a
legend was born.

 

From Instagram

 

I

 

Long live the king.

 

great man & what a ride he has had - hats off !

 

I was at a swap meet in Oklahoma with my Dad a year or so before my Dad died of cancer. I saw a dusty canopy with a Winfield style painted car. It was s well done that I immediately rushed to get a better look. My father was right behind. I was hypnotized by the classic Winfield-like work on this amazing car. Then I heard my Dad say “ How have you been Gene?” I turn around to see my Dad having a conversation with Gene Winfield… like old friends. I went over and had one of the most meaningful encounters with a car legend that I’ve ever had. Thinking about it still makes me smile to this day.
As we left, I turned to my Dad and said “You never told me knew Gene Winfield”. My Dad said “ I’ve never met him until today”.
Gene is the king. Gene is a legend. But more than that he is a fantastic person that made my sick father feel like they were old friends… so much so that I was convinced they were old buddies.
I’m forever grateful