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The JADE IDOL returns to Gene Winfield.

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by Pete, Sep 20, 2017.

  1. Pete
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 4,745

    Pete
    Member

    (With Billy's approval)

    Popped into Billy Belmonts today while running some errands, it was my lucky day because the famous Jade Idol was being moved from the heated garage where it's been kept since the 80's

    Most of the local hot rod and custom guys have known about the car for years but only a few actually got the full tour.

    The new owner is bringing the car to Gene for a full paint job and bringing it back to its original paint scheme.

    I snapped a few pics..

    Enjoy.



    View attachment 3659766
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2017
    cgc1958, Baron, kiwijeff and 9 others like this.
  2. Pete
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 4,745

    Pete
    Member

    Pics don't do the car justice.
    The fins are huge!!
    IMG_2062.JPG


    IMG_2061.JPG
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2017
    cgc1958, Baron, Retroline and 17 others like this.
  3. jcmarz
    Joined: Jan 10, 2010
    Posts: 4,631

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

  4. Pete
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 4,745

    Pete
    Member

    Billy has been the owner / caretaker of this car for many years, he's kept it pristine.

    The engine detail and chrome is outstanding.

    IMG_2063.JPG IMG_2064.JPG IMG_2065.JPG IMG_2066.JPG
     
    rjones35, Baron, Retroline and 22 others like this.

  5. Pete
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 4,745

    Pete
    Member

    Pulling the Idol out to meet the transport truck.

    IMG_2067.JPG IMG_2068.JPG
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2017
    cgc1958, Baron, Leadsled52 and 24 others like this.
  6. Pete
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 4,745

    Pete
    Member

    It was pretty cool seeing such an iconic car out and about.

    IMG_2069.JPG IMG_2073.JPG
     
    lewk, rjones35, Baron and 21 others like this.
  7. FlatheadFrankie
    Joined: Dec 1, 2013
    Posts: 7

    FlatheadFrankie
    Member

    So true. What a Great Piece of History. I was fortunate to view The Jade Idol twice in my life at Belmont's. Swear each time I saw it was like time stood still. Billy has passed the duties on to the new caretaker.


    Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.
     
    Baron likes this.
  8. Pete
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 4,745

    Pete
    Member

    Everything ends where it starts, safe travels.



    IMG_2075.JPG IMG_2076.JPG IMG_2078.JPG IMG_2079.JPG
     
    cgc1958, Baron, biggeorge and 20 others like this.
  9. Pete
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 4,745

    Pete
    Member

    Billy ownes and operates Belmonts Rod&Custom which is a true old timey speed shop located in East Dedham, MA

    True speed shops are few and far between these days, he sells vintage speed parts ranging from points to transmission adapters...and pretty much everything in between.

    He's a sweet old man with the etiquette of a priest.
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2017
  10. bowie
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,098

    bowie
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Talk about history preserved! That thing is as cool now as it was then. Thanks for sharing the occasion. Edit : Yeah Billy is defiantly legendary!
     
  11. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Baron and Sancho like this.
  12. cball
    Joined: Apr 9, 2007
    Posts: 522

    cball
    Member

    nice you got to stumble on that pete. pretty cool to see that on the street even for just a few moments.


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
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  13. Pete
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 4,745

    Pete
    Member


    Iv seen the car many times but yes, seeing it outside in full view was so damn cool.
     
    Baron, Sancho, Stogy and 1 other person like this.
  14. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member

    That doesn't look like it needs a new paint job. Looks great to me.
     
    Baron likes this.
  15. s55mercury66
    Joined: Jul 6, 2009
    Posts: 4,335

    s55mercury66
    Member
    from SW Wyoming

    I really dig the Jade Idol. One of the best looking customs ever built, in my eyes anyway. Thanks for posting.
     
    Baron likes this.
  16. 2935ford
    Joined: Jan 6, 2006
    Posts: 3,843

    2935ford
    Member

    x2
     
    Baron likes this.
  17. Pete
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 4,745

    Pete
    Member

    The paint currently on the car is very nice but it's not the original paint job that was on the car when it left Genes shop the first time.

    I'm not exactly sure about the paint history but I think it's been painted a few times.
     
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  18. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member

    Then I get it, having Gene repaint it would be awesome.
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2017
    Stogy likes this.
  19. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,795

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    One fantastic 56 FOMOCO. Carbs/Intake must have come right off a Thunderbird E-Code since they are backwards. The birds were that way for hood clearance and normal way on the cars. It's power brake unit was the way they were versus the add on vacuum assist; way cool and not many. The same with saving the heater after the massive fender mods eliminating the air ducts using flexible hose. Battery swapped sides too. You would think even a custom being built that all the normal comforts of the era would be left off. Now custom engine compartments are covered with fancy panels... Great car...
     
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  20. KoolKat-57
    Joined: Feb 22, 2010
    Posts: 3,073

    KoolKat-57
    Member
    from Dublin, OH

    Wow, haven't seen Billy since we moved to Ohio!
    Never thought he would let the Jade Idol go!
    We used to do some model car swapping with Billy, yes a very cool and generous guy!
    KK
     
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  21. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,174

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    What a beauty, that will be more beautiful - right place at the right time to get to see it before moved - hope that new owner has a lot of patience waiting for Gene to set enough time aside to give it the attention that it will take - some rides have been at Gene's for several years waiting for the magic paint job
     
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  22. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Don't know if these are original config but anyway...pretty cool car


    Canted Quads Seven.jpg



    jadeido2.jpg



    15343991199_b573af6452_b.jpg

    Credit to photographers, Owners
    and
    Original Posters
     
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2017
    cgc1958, Baron, biggeorge and 12 others like this.
  23. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,175

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    Car is in EXCELLENT shape, but it always bothered me that in recent years it didn't wear an original Winfield paint job. The paint is NICE, yes, but not quite like it was. I am glad to hear that is being rectified ;)

    [​IMG]
     
    HEMI32, Baron, biggeorge and 16 others like this.
  24. I was fortunate enough to see the Idol when it appeared at it's first show in Long Beach. I had never seen anything like the fade paint job. This 15 year old was extremely impressed.
     
    Baron, tomschev2, belair and 7 others like this.
  25. Pete
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 4,745

    Pete
    Member

    I had the air cleaner off, it has some funky carbs with weird dome centers.
     
    Baron, biggeorge, tomschev2 and 2 others like this.
  26. Pete
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 4,745

    Pete
    Member

    Yup, that's respray it's gonna get at Genes.
     
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  27. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,175

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    Baron, kiwijeff and Stogy like this.
  28. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,175

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    That's not the first paint job it had - but it is my favorite.
     
    Stogy likes this.
  29. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Touchin or even in presence of period history...it's a Hamb thing but gotta send some cool vibes...
     
  30. Black Panther
    Joined: Jan 6, 2010
    Posts: 2,133

    Black Panther
    Member
    from SoCal

    Gotgas...those blue and yellow plates date to about 1975 to about 1977 because of the characters....in 1969 CA plates were still black and yellow...last year for them.
     
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