Gene Winfield has gone Home:

[Justice B. Swift]

For those of you who are familiar with the Hot Rod and Custom Car Industry you will immediately know who Gene was. For those younger guys, Gene Winfield was the founder of "Full Custom" cars. He was a pioneer in chopping tops, sectioning bodies, pancaked hoods, frenched headlights, fender skirts and everything "lead Sled." After his family moved to California when he was a boy, Gene worked on cars at his folks service station and began customizing his own cars at 15 years old. he spent a lifetime in the shop building hot rods and customizing cruisers. He was a true visionary. He built cars for movies, TV series and anyone seeking a true hand built one of a kind beauty. At age 95 he was still actively working in his shop daily, still chopping roofs, and enjoying his hobby. He was a huge contributor, showing others how it was done and driving others to keep involved and support the sport. He was a teacher of youth and adult alike. He was friends with the Foose family, and Chip Foose himself credits Gene with showing him the skills of metal shaping, shrinking, forming as well as painting techniques. Chip has often used a "fade" in his paint, which Gene pioneered. Gene enjoyed his dream job endlessly, spending over 80 years actively involved in the custom auto industry. From age 15 to age 95+ doing what he loved. He will be Missed by all who knew him, or knew OF him. Rest In Peace Gene Winfield.
Gene Passed at the age of 97 years, on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025

 

[eveled]

That is really sad. Gene was a respected craftsman who gave his knowledge freely and graciously. Really committed to the next generations of metal workers.

My PIPE ANVIL is his design. It is used for making sweeping curves in sheetmetal. Like making a transmission tunnel.

You slide the metal under one of the smaller pipes and bend around the larger pipe for big curves or bend around the smaller pipes for tighter curves.

By changing the angle and advancing the metal and adjusting the bend you can make cone shapes.

Brilliantly simple and a gift to us all from Gene. God Bless him. RIP Gene.

 

[miniman]

RIP gene he will be missed.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I recall admiring his work in the car magazines of the time. He was a true artist, totally in touch with his market. Heck, he created that market.

RIP Gene.

 

[turd]

RIP.

 

[Danjet500]

One of the great old time craftsmen. RIP Gene.