How old is the oldest rodder you know still building rods?

I've seen some give it up in the 50's; then there are others like the wrench that originally built my A who is still building at 80 yrs old. This gives me hope. When Obama gets the economy fixed (wasn't that his strong point) and my 401K recovers, I can retire and get building. Now all I can do is go to work, go to work, go to work to pay the every day bills - little time left over to build. So maybe when I'm 80 I'll get the 40 done. Or will the new tax rates eat up the future car funds

 

Good luck. I pray that when im 80 I can still walk and talk.

 

My buddy Bob Hepper is 72 and is building a chopped and hardtopped 50 Ford that started life as a 4 door.
Its also air bagged and has a 302/4 speed top loader.

 

WTF? I got buddies in their mid-late 70's that are building 1-2 rods per year. That's more than I can finish & I'm a LOT younger than they are! Probably has something to do with that retirement thing...

 

I know a few in their late 70s still doing all or most of their work. I know some other that farm out the motor install..some of the welding but do most everything else. As long as it keeps you in the garage..the exact percentage of work really ain't important.
You're not old to do the work..until you think you're too old to do the work..

 

My vote will go to Gene Winfield.At 81 he still has the energy and skills.

 

Gene is great.. He has a crazy work day..Starts about 7 am till 9pm or so... There is a local near me named HOKE. I heard he is like 92 and is one of the best flathead builders out there.. He has a waiting list to get engines built... Jason.

 

i think gene winfield is like 85-88ish

 

For some reason, I think Gene is 81....
Actually, this article says he was born in 1927:
http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/thehistoryof/gene_winfield_race_history/index.html
Doesn't really matter, though.
He rules ...and will talk your ear off, if given the chance.

Oh... and still racing at Bonneville, at 81


Malcolm

 

there was a guy around here name either bud, or bill king that built salt flat jalopies a few years back with only 1920's parts, mechanical brakes and all. had to be at least 80. dont know if hes still around though

 

Know one around here that's 72 and builds for himself and others. Several projects underway. One of my best fiends is 75 and just finished up a freeking beautiful deuce 3-window. It's only a number, keep on rodding.
____________________________________________________________________
Like I told the kid, "Your music's not too loud, it just sucks!"

 

One of my buddys is 68 or so he says and will have to live till 90 just to have a small chance of finishing the projects he has sitting around now.
Hell Mom is 82 and still splits and stacks her own fire wood and could give Gene W. a run for his money.
It isn't how old in real years you are but how old you tell yourself you are. I work with a two guys who are both several years younger than I am but most people think that they are several years older than me.
It may take us a bit longer to get things done and some times we aren't quite as intent on getting a project done as we once were.

 

On March 23, 2008, Bill Hines celebrated his 86th birthday

 

I iz only 52 and still doing it. I've got several customers in their 70's and 80's still building em and one lady customer at 70. She and her hubby just built herself a 34 Chev trad rod. And, I know a hot rodder in Houston who is in his 90's still fooling around with hot rods and will race any of us young bucks any day, any time, anywhere with his big block Ford powered T.

Mikey
www.MikeysPinstriping.com

 

A.J. Watson is still in the game!

 

81... he'll be 82 next June

 

I don't know how old Harlod Johanson is but he makes Winfield look like a kid. And his roadster is setting records.

 

Got a buddy out here who is 72 or 73 and still pinstripes every day and recently completed two cars that were at Del Mar Good Guys and both got a pic in the mag...fantastic pinstriper, woodgrainer and a cool guy too...

 

Gene ritt, of mt orab, ohio. Late 60's early 70's, hes the model a go to guy around where i live. Does restos, loves hopped up bangers.

 

I nominate Ray Cass (do a search). Somewhere in his 70s and now working on a '51 Merc.

 

dode martin of dragmaster fame is 82 or 83 and still building hot rods, race cars and engines, still drives a fed too. i think he's the oldest guy with a dragster competition license.

 

.....

 

I have a friend who lives on property who is still into rods and old cars. Has '61 Catalina, a '66 Catalina and a '26 "T". He helps me on my projects a few days a week. He is 72 and good with metal making and is a decent welder though I still do the more important ( stucutural, etc ) welds. Here is my altered wheelbase funny car project, he has done most of the metal work on it.
He also built a few pairs of zoomie headers for me (HEMI & wedge Pontiac)for my AA/Fuel Dragster.
He worked at Dougs for a few years in the mid 60s too.
We are also building a stetched, tilt front end '59 F-350 dually with a 5.9 Turbo Cummins and 6 speed to pull my 4 car trailer. Here he is working on it after we cut off the front frame.

I have so many projects going on at once here, it is nice to have him helping a few days a week.
Oh, I'm retired too though I am only 48. Not worked now for 3 years and abslutely LOVE having all my time to do what I want. Don't miss work and traffic a bit.

Steve Barcak
www.pontiacheaven.org

 

my life long friend mel. he is in his late 70s and is still building rods. he has one of the badest 28 chevy trucks i have ever seen. almost everything int he car is out of a junk yard, but makes them look new. the truck has a 351 ford in it and is one bad ass truck. he helped me build my engine over the summer.

 

Better build it now if you wait 20 years Ryan won't let you on the hamb if your rod burns water.

 

I'm 62 but feel like 105 most of the time.

 

I hope it ends up being me.

 

I'm 70 and still building. Should be on the road very soon. ice man

 

The gentleman that sparked my interest in cars in the late '60s, just recently quit actively working on them at age 95! He is what I consider one of the old school craftsmen. He did everything himself, engines, transmisions, mechanical, body, paint, upholstery, and electrical. He's a restorer, not a rodder, and is still a really great guy. In more recent years he still worked in his shop every morning, I think it's what kept him going so long. I can only aspire to the knowledge that he accumulated in his years!

 

We have a hot rodder named Pappa John in the group Houston Roadsters that drives a 32 ford roadster with a Mustang overhead cam moter with a 5 speed that he built about 4 years ago. He still does all of his own work. His last b-day he was 94-95 years young not sure which, The only thing is he walks with a cane. Does all of his own programing on the fuel injection on his laptop.

Bruce