|
Click to visit Gene's web site
Who is Gene Winfield? If you are into the rod and custom world, then you know the answer to that question. But for those of you who aren't, please scroll down & read the informative article below.
|
|
Gene Winfield
Gene will be attending the entire
2007 Summer Nationals show!
Be sure to stop by and say hello! |
Gene Winfield is a master custom car builder
whose name ranks right up there with all the greats, like the Alexander
brothers, George Barris, Carl Casper, Dean Jeffries, Ed Roth, and Darryl
Starbird. Winfield's creations
appeared on many TV series such as Bewitched, Star Trek , The Man From UNCLE,
Get Smart and Mod Squad. He has also done quite a few movie creations; the
futuristic cars in Blade Runner, Mangum Force , Solar Crisis, Robocop, Back
to the Future II, The Wraith, Sleeper and The Last Starfighter. His commercial
creations included an 18-month stint with Goodyear, building cars that ran
their steel-belted radial tires over everything from drill bits to meat
cleavers and fire axes. For a 1967 Chevy commercial, he was asked to cut
a car in half and make both halves drivable. In another commercial, he froze
a car in a block of ice.
(Continued Below)  |
|
Recently, he has made two appearances on Monster Garage
with Jesse James, Modern Marvels Custom Cars, Rides
with Billy Gibbons, Hot Rod TV and an upcoming episode on My Classic Car
with Dennis Gage. He is currently filming a new show titled Building With
The Best which will premier at the 2006 SEMA show. But what
Gene Winfield is best known for are his "lead sled" (1949-51)
Mercury customs. If you see a chopped top Merc, odds are Winfield either
built the car or it was inspired by his work. (Continued Below)
|
Gene Winfield & Jessie James On An Episode Of Monster Garage |
Gene's "Wall of Fame" |
Gene was born in 1927 in Springfield, Missouri. When he was 18
months old, his family moved to Modesto, California. Winfield's hot rodding
career dates back to the post-World War 11 origins of the sport, when he
built his first roadster. He was involved in all facets of hot rodding,
including Bonneville competition and the early days of central California
drag racing. His racing accomplishments were recognized in 2001 with an
NHRA Life Achievement award. But he is best known as a legendary customizer
and car builder. He opened his Winfield's Custom Shop in a converted shed
in Modesto in 1947, where he built such landmark creations as the Jade Idol
'56 Mercury and the rear engine Reactor.
Gene was also a member of the advisory staff to the AMT Model Corporation
and his designs were utilized in thousands of model car kits the company
produced. When AMT decided to go into the full-sized car business in the
mid 1960's, he was selected to operate that division in Phoenix, where
he built mid-engine sports cars from exotic plastics. |
Words just can't describe all the accomplishments that Gene has done thru out his life time! One thing is for sure is that he has no intention of slowing down anytime in the near future! Which is great new's for all of us custom car fans!
Don't miss your opportunity to meet this automotive legend at the 2007 New England Summer Nationals! Stop by Gene's booth in Green Hill Park and pickup a souvenir or maybe that one of a kind custom accessory! |
 |
|
