I had the pleasure and honor of meeting Gene while at the James Dean run this fall. After a few minutes of me babbling on I told him I was having a hard time deciding what tailights to use in my Fleetline. He quickly responded "41 Studebakers". I said that would have been my first choice but the repops Night Prowlers were offering were out of my price range. He said "use these" handing me a bubble lense "and french them in". There he had the lense and reflector (or what ever it's called). They were perfect. Exactly what I wanted. He allowed me to walk it over to my car and see how it would fit. Perfect! He said he also makes a fibergl*** box for the socket ***embly. I didn't buy them right then but he gave me his card and said he would sell them to me at the show "special price" amytime. As we walked away I looked at my wife and said, "I know you don't understand, but to me, this is like finding gold." Not having to settle for something else, can it get any better? Can't wait to get 'em in.
That is just too kool,,,dont let them slip holmes...Thats going to be a really nice touch and plus having a lil more meaning than normal... Dirty
Gene is one of the nicest people I have ever met. He always has time to talk to you. I bought 1955 Pontiac Chieftain sidetrim off of him at the LA roadster show the year before last, and I wanted to check the length against a shoebox. I found a 51 Ford coupe about two rows away at the swap, and he let me take a trim piece all the way over to the car to hold it up asgainst it to see the length. He could have been a **** and said no, but he wasn't. I always make a point to go say hello at each show I know he is going to. **** Dean and I were talking about how good Gene looks for his age, and **** told me that Gene has never had a cigarette in his life and, (quoting Dean) "he walks around like a ****ing squirrel digging in his pockets for trailmix."
You'r right Gene's a super great guy, when I would travel out to the west coast he would let me work his booth and the people I would meet, it was nice, Just a word of advice on those lenses throw the buckets away and build your own, they never seem to fit just right. Oh and dont let the age fool you Gene is still the ladys man...
Good score! Gene is a helluva guy. Very down to earth and enjoys what he does. Being part of one of the larger NE shows over the years I've had the pleasure of having dinner with Gene, Ed Roth(r.i.p) and George Barris, and boy the wealth of knowledge am***ed between these guys is incredible. All were happy to talk and made time for everyone. Its guys like this that make the hobby what it is. I hope I have half of their enthusiasm for the hobby when I get older. Make sure to post pics when those lights are done!
I haven't MET Gene though I've talked to him on the phone more than a few times. He's always had a super additude as I find all the big names do. They truely enjoy what they do and the people that Love it. I think there's only One That I can truly say thinks he's better than the rest of us and I won't mention his name But he has a T.V. Show......lol I know y'all hate NASCAR discussions so I'll keep it breif When I had my 55 Ford Victoria I wanted to make a 55 Daytona NASCAR Replica and called Ned Jerrett he would spend hours talking and digging up info for me. It never came to p*** though because Color Pictures were non existant.
[ QUOTE ] ....I bought 1955 Pontiac Chieftain sidetrim off of him at the LA roadster show the year before last, and I wanted to check the length against a shoebox. I found a 51 Ford coupe about two rows away at the swap, and he let me take a trim piece all the way over to the car to hold it up asgainst it to see the length. He could have been a **** and said no, but he wasn't. [/ QUOTE ] Exactly the same deal. I asked if I could take it over to my car to see how it would look (pointing in the direction of where my car was) and he says "sure, go ahead". I went back later and asked him about an idea I had for the headlights. He was very gracious and helpful. Can't beat getting direction from the pros.
Gene is a very nice guy. I had a booth by him at a couple of KKOA shows. He would always ask if you needed anything when he went for food or drinks. He would watch my stuff when I went to the bathroom. Can't beat a guy like that. Tommy Mc
All you need to know and more... http://www.winfieldcustoms.com/ I asked Gene Winfield for some Merc headlight rings several times but never received an answer...I guess he doesn't like computers.
don,t know if this phone number is any good,he gave it to me about 2 or 3 years ago when he was at the lebenon tn show.
Yup, parr for the course. Gene is truly a remarkable fellow. He is a celebrity,but act's like he don't even know it. When I first got into the 41' Ford I been messin' with, I stopped by his shop (when he was in canoga park) and inquired about a chop. He busted out a pen and paper and started drawing a chopped 41' Ford! I was impressed as hell, then he drew one with a carson top! Then he handed me a flier and said he put on cl***es and I should attend one so I could learn to chop it myself. I still as of yet haven't gone to the cl***, but intend to, Soon. Anyway, the day after the primer nats there was a small car show put on by the Roamin' Relics CC. Low and behold, there's Gene, right smack in the middle of the crowd spectatin' like everyone else. Neat dude.
I cant express enough how much his cl*** can help you out. I went to his last cl*** and was completely amazed at how cool and helpful Gene is. He is definately a motivator as far as teaching you the things to make you a confident metal worker. He is definately one who has no problem helping you with any of your problems without any additude. Do what you can to take the cl*** when it comes out, sign ups for the next one are right now.
Can't really tell from your photo but Gene makes two differents sizes of these taillights. He lists them for a 42-48 Ford and for the 49-50 Merc. The Ford lights are thinner than the Merc style. I installed the Ford units in my 49 Merc cause I thought they looked better.
The Jalopy Journal
