Celebration of life planned for Robert Eugene ‘Gene’ Winfield
Robert Eugene “Gene” Winfield.
– Born June 16, 1927 Springfield, MO; Passed March 4, 2025 Atascadero, CA Truly Legendary Car Customizer, Hot Rodder and Racer, Father and Friend
Gene Winfield’s work ethic formed early. The youngest of 6 children born to Frank Winfield and Virginia (Akins) Winfield, he began working at his mother’s “Modesto Nickel Lunch” at 10 years old. His passion for cars started as a child. At age 14 Gene began customizing his first car, a 1929 Ford Model A coupe in his mother’s backyard chicken coup. Windy’s Custom Shop was born. Gene served in the Navy from 1944-1945, then in the Army from 1949-1951. While stationed in Japan in 1950 he learned to weld masterfully from an expert Japanese welder. In between he continued customizing. He also took up racing anywhere and everywhere he could from streets to dry lakes, forming the Century Toppers in 1946.
Gene’s custom car/hot rod enterprise enjoyed ever increasing accolades in the 1950s. His cars graced the cover of the 2nd ever Rod & Custom issue, along with numerous other publications. He became an avid water skier and won many competitions including trick skiing. He could ride anything and everything that floated! Gene’s car racing also blossomed as he built his 1927 Model T called “The Thing” and drove it 135 MPH on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Completion of the Jade Idol in 1959 cemented his national fame and show car dominance as it won every show in which it was entered.
His movie and TV car career began in the 1960s with “Bewitched” leading to “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”, “Star Trek”, “Mission: Impossible”, “Batman”, “Sleeper”, “The Last Starfighter”, “Back to the Future II”, and “Blade Runner” over several decades. His love for his craft and his boundless energy led the people working beside him through numerous sleepless nights to coin the name the ‘Winfield Sleep Deprivation Center’ for his shop. His passion never ebbed with him, painting cars until the end.
Gene Winfield will be remembered forever by many around the world. He literally invented too many tricks of the trade to list, many of which are still in use today, not the least being the “Winfield Fade” paint jobs he routinely turned out. He also taught countless artisans, old and young, these same skills, educating the young with particular pleasure. His kindness, generosity with his time, and smile were unmatched!
Robert Eugene “Gene” Winfield Memorial Schedule of Events
Estrella Warbirds Museum – Saturday, June 28th, 2025
10:00 a.m. – Gathering
A combination of still shots and videos will be shown until 10:50 a.m.
Food trucks available (closing at 3:00 p.m.)
Welcome Tent – Check-in
Check-in tables under a shaded tent
Hosts available to greet attendees and answer questions
Memorial pamphlets and stickers available
Use this program for a $10 discount entry to the Woodland Auto Display (open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
Easel with site layout poster and schedule of events
Mercury hood available for signing
Donations to the Museum:
$35 donation for Memorial T-shirt
$25 donation for Memorial License Plate
Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks available
10:45 a.m. – Announcement
Attendees will be asked to move inside for the program
11:00 a.m. – Memorial Program
Military honors
Keynote and eulogy by Barry Mequiar
Family remarks
Remarks from the Board of Directors and other invited speakers
12:00 p.m. – Tributes Begin
2-minute tributes start
Artie Schilling will serve as MC and ensure time limits are respected
1:00 p.m. – Tributes End
Attendees will mingle, food trucks remain available, and still shots & videos will be shown until 1:50 p.m.
1:45 p.m. – Announcement
Announcement to gather around “The Thing”
2:00 p.m. – “The Thing” Fire Up
Army/Navy vintage planes will perform a flyover
3:00 p.m. – Memorial Ends
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