Well guys, I feel a little bad for posting this because god knows i dont want to cause a huge rush of people coming to annoy the hell outa ol'Bill, but it was just too golden to keep to myself. So after a recent failed engagement and thus mental breakdown I decided it was time to leave town. A few months ago I packed as much as I could fit in my car and left Winston-Salem "Camel City" North Carolina for Hollywood. LA was the place for two reasons: 1.) Attempt to put to use my film degree, 2.) AND more importantly to experience first hand West coast Kustom Kulture. It has been a sort of spiritual journey for this guy from the dirty south. With the freaking writers strike recently ruining my life, I decided why not begin a quest to track down the greats!! Chapter 1: Jimmy Shine and Peter Chapouris. yeah that was cool. Chapter 2: Wild Bill!!!! Bill was the nicest most down to earth guy ever, and his grandson was also totally cool. "I'm soon going to be eighty-six years old, I dont know why!" I told him about my '50 Chevy and he was like "Oh yeah yeah Ive done lots of those. Bring it on down we'll chop it!" Thanks Bill!!!! Stay Tuned for Chapter 3: Gene Winfield!!!
Man oh man, I just love that guy, 86 and still kickin', specially after all the cigar smoke and lead fumes , what a guy
Ohh man I came prepared, when I whipped out my own cigar he and his grandson had a big laugh. then before we snapped the picture he said "Ohh we better put our makeup on!"
Met Bill and got his autograph at Starbirds 50th anniversary show last year. He is one great old legend! He was even drinkin' a cold brew during the afternoon session, at 85 years of age, and chewin' on that ever present stoogie! Wouldnt it be cool to be still doing this at 86? True love.
Bill's place looks like it was just the remedy you needed. Keep going after everything you want man. Inspiring.
One of my biggest hot rod thrills was meeting Mr. Bill Hines at a KKOA show in Salina a couple years ago. He is a great individual with so much talent and skill. He was a real gentleman and made my day with a handshake and a smile. Thanks for sharing more insight to this legendary man!!-Sololobo
This takes me back to when I hung out at Bill's original shop in Michigan in 1956. He painted my Jimmy Jones skirts. The original "lil Bat" was under construction at the time, getting ready for it's debut at the Autorama. Super nice guy and I wish him well.
Has mr Hines permanently got a cigar on the go?He never seems to be pictured without one I hope that if im blessed to reach that age i'll have aquired a 10th of the skills and maintained the lust for life he obviously has,awesome
I've got a friend who's place is like that,thing is he 'needs' everything n knows where everything is!
The Jalopy Journal
