Folks Of Interest Gene Winfield - His Life and Times.

I first saw Gene doing some metal working at a Car Show in Abbotsford BC a couple of years ago. Just after Xmas 2017, my wife and I and our daughter, her hubby and their 5 kids decided on a trip to Sedona. I was told that as we were going through the Mojave desert, we should drop by Genes place. As it happens we got there about 4:30 in the afternoon. My sil and I ventured in and started looking around, and eventually found a person, and asked if Gene was in. He said yes, just open the red door. We did and he was there, and welcomed us to his place. He showed all 9 of us around every corner of his complex. Gave the grandkids new Hot Wheels , then signed them! Asked us where we were headed,when we told him, somewhere to camp. He said stay here. We did overnight.
He is one great guy.

 

More pics from our visit.

 

Took his metal class a few years ago. The night before I had been out late at a concert. No problem Gene was in his upper 80s at the time WRONG! The guy is non stop motion and energy. 12 hours later he hadn't even slowed down. Got a good rest that night and the next day Gene was rip roaring all day long again.
ALWAYS a smile and a handshake to anyone who approaches him.
Truly one of the best guys in our hobby.

 

"Gentleman Gene",,,one of the absolutely nicest guys I've ever had the pleasure to meet.

 

We all want to be Gene Winfield when we "grow up".

 

Define grow up.


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If you know Gene then you know he never grew up so go like Gene now!

 

For the folks who have never met or don't know who Gene, is which is probably only a hand full at best, then here is a link worth reading.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Winfield

 

What is Gene's most outstanding contribution to our hobby?
He seems to excel in most areas, but what will he be best remembered for???

 

In my opinion you nailed it he excels in all areas and he is willing to teach what he knows. That and the Jade Idol maybe his most amazing work. Hobo Jim

 

I met Gene at Wichita and kkoa car shows. At the kkoa event he took some pictures of my 58 Impala roadster, He said that he liked my car and that he also had a 58 Impala. I told him that some purist and traditionalist didn't like my 58, He said F--- them its your car. He was the first to autograph my bow tie sign.

 

You can't 'know' Gene, you can meet him, listen to him, watch him, but he is such a multi talented artist it is impossible to know him. At El Mirage he once took an air intake off a friends roadster and hammered the edge of it because it would move more air,,, the tools? A claw hammer and the edge of a car trailer door.
I have vision, but he has hands that translate his vision into automotive art.
Somewhere inside him is a tiny yet powerful Engizer Bunny that gives him the energy to build and overcome injuries.
And watch out for your womenfolk, once they have received a Gene 'hug' you will be chopped liver.

 

Bonneville; probably 1997, but perhaps some other year.

BenD & I were riding around the pits with HRLC. That was when Big Olds didn't have a top or back seat. Ben & I sat on the package tray. Denise saw Gene Winfield in his pit changing out flatheads in his whacked 26/27 T coupe salt racer and pulled right up and parked. He wasn't going fast with the #1 motor so they were installing #2. Joyce Johnson (Gene's friend; maybe or maybe not "girlfriend") was sitting on the steps of his motor home all alone watching. As you all know Denise has never ever met a stranger. I don't think that Joyce and Denise had ever met before, but instantly the two of them were sitting on the motor home steps chatting like they'd known each other all their lives. Ben and I get out, stand, and the 4 of us gab for about 15 minutes, never bothering Gene or talking to him (he was obviously VERY busy). Gene quietly put down the tools he had in his hands and walked towards the motor home, said "excuse me" and went inside. About 2 minutes later out he comes, hands Denise a photo album, and goes back to work on the race car without saying another word. We open up the album and, lo & behold, it's his personal photo album of all those famous cars he had built way back "in the day." Not professional pix, but the ones he had taken himself. It was really hard to keep the drool off of the pages.


Epilog:

Eventually we all piled back into Big Olds and were about to drive away when Kent Fuller pulled up and stopped. He slowly walked around Big Olds and then quietly said "fadeaways... (long pause)... needs fadeaways" and walked over to chat with Gene.

 

Boy, I bet if Gene dressed up in a bikini or skimpy shorts we would have gotten a lot more interest in this thread!!!

Happy thanksgiving.

 

I think we should let it evolve at a leisurely pace as guys in bikinis no... perhaps his girlfriends sure...

Anyone know how he's doing...off the Scooter thing yet...you know what would be really cool?...if he would chime in and say hello...after all he is a Hamber.

I will check that Wikipedia link and have a read...threads like this just grow bit by bit...no bigs...I'm sure many here have some vintage pics of some of his great stuff back in the day. I to look forward to more life and times of Gene...

 

Talked with Gene twice. First time at Houston Autorama; seen him more than once at the Lone Star Roundup in Austin. Very personable person,easy to converse with, more than a CLASS act, just a great person! Flatheads Forever!

 

I recently was watching a leading video and you can just tell he is one of the good guys.

 

Thanks very much he is on the mend and being careful at the same time...no pics needed.

Yeah I'm sure it was something you'll never forget. He has certainly done the walk...all the way there and back...and is going back for 2nd round...

Thanks for sharing that @TrailerTrashToo...

 

ive met gene at the autorama and had the pleasure of talking to him at 6 of the shows. he's signed all my cars from every show. it 's a real honor to have his signature on my dash boards. and I contributed to his medical bill for his hip accident. god bless him and I hope he's around till he's a hundred !!!!!

 

A picture from my cell phone.

Sunday, 11/11/2018, Took the class. bought the T-shirt and checked off another bucket list item.

 

90+ going on to 60 year old......man he looks good for his age...must be lead and welding fumes...Go Gene Go!!!

Hey you look alright too TrailerTrash...​

 

I took Gene's metal fab class a few years ago and it was money well spent. Great guy and as much hands on as you wanted. If he comes back around I will certainly take the class again.

 

I've always got the impression that Gene likes being Gene and that he still wonders what the fuss is all about

 

He's a very humble man...

 

Just a nice guy with talent! Met him in Hershey 2016 and at his 90th June 16th 2017 at LARS Picture with my Wife
And his Happy Birthday song

LA Roadster Show 2017 We share the same Birthday just 20 years apart! No I am the younger one
Hershey 2016

 

One summer my Wife and I were sitting in the DFW airport waiting to catch a plane to Alaska . I see Gene walking into a waiting area and sit down . I had never met him before but knew who he was . I tell my Wife That's Gene Winfield she encourages me to go say Hi. I did and am forever glad I did . He shook my hand like we were old friends . Interduce me to his traveling companions they were headed to Salina Ks to the KKOA . Lined everyone up to pose for a picture . It was great . A true Gentleman and a Positive Ambassador for the Kustom car , Hot Rods and old car groups.

 

Gene and I at Detroit Autorama. For quite a few years he has been down in the basement of the show greeting people and chopping some rod for all to watch. We never miss opportunity to stop by and talk with him. A few years ago he signed a copy of the movie he was in, Deuce of Spades.

 

I had the pleasure of meeting the young lady (39 that is ) who owns that very car at NSRA Bakersfield this year.


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1956 Gene had a typical body shop in Modesto opposite MJC gym field.
I had 1950 Merc 4dr needing departure from stock.
Gene shaved hood & trunk and full paint jub for $100. Photo 1958 Utah
Loved the car so much I've rebought one. Gene had a 2dr then...before the craze.