Gene Winfield dies, age 97

[herr_oberst]

If youre a car guy, he most likely influenced you at an early age.

My Gene Winfield story. A few years ago at the Portland Auto Show, Winfield and Chip Foose were in attendance. This was probably right in the heyday of Overhaulin'. Both had 'meet 'n greets' on the same day at the same time. The line to see Foose was at least 50 people. The line to see Winfield was one. Me. I talked with him for a long long time about George Barris, model cars in the '70's.....car culture in general, just on and on. He was gracious, fun and attentive to my questions. I'd been a fan previously, but I was now an admirer of his for life. RIP Mr Winfield.

https://www.theautopian.com/hot-rod-and-kustom-legend-gene-winfield-creator-of-star-trek-shuttles-and-amazing-hot-rods-dead-at-97/

[pwd72s]

Your tale illustrates one thing well...the true pioneers are quickly forgotten. RIP, Gene...

[HobieMarty]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Your tale illustrates one thing well...the true pioneers are quickly forgotten. RIP, Gene...

True, and he was an absolute artist!!!
Rest in peace, Gene.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[Scott Douglas]

I saw Byron's post with the pictures but the name escaped me, I must be getting old or something.
Somewhere in my hard drive collection I have a picture of a car Gene did the flames on, taken at the Peterson museum. I think it was a white, 3 window coupe. His artistry with flames was second to none as they always had crossed tips, the sign of someone who really knows how to do flames.
Rest in peace, Gene.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

He was gracious, fun and attentive to my questions. RIP Mr Winfield.

Couldn't agree more. I had the good fortune to meet Gene and Ed Iskenderian (still going strong at 103) one time during Monterey Car Week. Gene participated in a forum and talked at length about the early days of hot rodding and the custom car scene down in southern CA. Man, what great stories that guy had!

RIP Mr. Gene Winfield...

[Rtrorkt]

Saw Gene at Amelia 2 years ago. They had a custom category and I walked by as he was explaining to the judges about his “fade”. The car they were discussing, a mid 50’s Plymouth was the first car to get the fade. It was beyond fascinating to hear him talk about building that car. And then he took time to talk with us regular folk.

I’ve watched him with Dave Kindig and his Ian on Full Custom Garage. He is the last of the original hot rodders. I hope all understand his influence

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I saw Byron's post with the pictures but the name escaped me, I must be getting old or something.
Somewhere in my hard drive collection I have a picture of a car Gene did the flames on, taken at the Peterson museum. I think it was a white, 3 window coupe. His artistry with flames was second to none as they always had crossed tips, the sign of someone who really knows how to do flames.
Rest in peace, Gene.

One of my BMX friends knew him very well and had worked with him.
Everyday we sadly lose a part of our history, so it is very important that we keep those flames lit.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

If youre a car guy-snip-
https://www.theautopian.com/hot-rod-and-kustom-legend-gene-winfield-creator-of-star-trek-shuttles-and-amazing-hot-rods-dead-at-97/

Thank you for staring this thread, Herr Oberst.

And for the link you provided to that wonderful and informative article.

I had no idea about the man or his influence.

In spite of some of the nonsense we see on message boards....it's times like this that restores one's faith in the whole concept.

[rsrguy]

Awesome guy... he helped a lot of people in his time and he was a humble man to boot.

[GH85Carrera]

He invented many of the styles used today. A true master metal worker. He had a good run.

He was the first to come up with the fade from one color to the next.

[pwd72s]

Found this one on him..

https://www.hagerty.com/media/people/1927-2025-gene-winfield-built-and-raced-his-automotive-dreams/

[red 928]