Trivia

Commissioned by Ford to build two customs for the Ford Custom Car Caravan, including the iconic Ford Econoline dubbed 'Pacifica'.

In the 1960s he began work for model car makers AMT, first designing models and then building full-scale promotional vehicles.

Started racing at El Mirage in 1949.

His work for TV included vehicles for Get Smart, Bewitched and Star Trek, and he also created cars for movies like Blade Runner, RoboCop, The Last Starfighter and Back to the Future. Gene was also heavily involved in projects for the advertising industry.

Built his first proper hot rod, a 1927 Model T roadster, in 1948 - the same year Hot Rod magazine began and the very first indoor car show was held in LA.

Raced a 1941 Ford at Japan's first-ever stock car event.

Was honored as the Detroit Autorama "Builder of the Year" in 2008.

Invented his signature Winfield fade paint technique in 1957, before completing his signature car, the Jade Idol, in 1958.

Stationed in Japan with the US Army after World War II.