(Season 15 EP 32)
This Week’s Topics:
- Gene Winfield Legendary Customizer +
- Win Monster Jam Tickets +
- Big Boy Wisconsin sponsoring WHRR +
- WHRR / Gandrud T-shirts are a big hit +
- More car shows – –
Gene Winfield Legendary Customizer with special guest Von Hot Rod
This is part of the Iola Interview series*
We had a chance to catch Gene Winfield before he was able to disappear into the Iola swap meet crowd.
He starts out our conversation with saying “I am just getting started!”. His plans are to finish up a 1940 Ford convertible to compete in the famous Riddler award. The most sought-after award for any custom builder. Then head back to his favorite speed track on the salt flats of Bonneville. Where he still holds a land speed record.
Gene has been working on show cars and movie cars for over 70 years that set the trends from the 40’s through today. You couldn’t pick up a popular hot rod magazine with seeing his creations on the front cover or inside with a big spread. He was always looking into the future with fabrication and paint techniques. In the early 60’s the Ford Company worked with Gene in designing the “Ford Custom Car Caravan” which toured all the show circuits. Other awards include the “American’s most beautiful roadster” for 1955, 1963 and 1962.
His involvement with AMT’s model company helped their sales because he would fabricate a full-size vehicle from their model kits.
Some of Gene’s creations were the Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Get Smart gadget cars, the Galileo shuttlecraft from the original Star Trek series, a 31 chevy that converted to the NEW 1967 Camaro in under a minute for the Dean Martin show, a new Impala split front to rear for a Chevrolet commercial and he has also frozen a car in a block of ice for an oil company. Some of the movies and TV shows that feature his work are Ironside,
Bewitched, Robocop, The Wraith, Magnum Force, Back to the Future II and the list goes on. In some of his spare time Gene had done stunt work for tire companies. Some of Genes larger projects include 6 cars for Woddie Allens Sleeper and a monumental 25 cars for Blade Runner featuring Harrison Ford. Some of those cars had to be specially equipped with hydraulics to retract the wheels for a flying mode. One of them he recently restored for Paul Allen’s Science Fiction Museum in Seattle, Washington. He is also currently working with the World of Wheels series chopping tops during the shows. Last year Gene chopped 17 cars total of which 10 were done during the car shows.
Sitting in with Gene is Von Hot Rod the world-famous builder and pinstripper. You will hear a full interview with Hot Rod next week.
*The Iola interview series will include, Gene Winfield, Von Hot Rod, Bruce Larson with USA 1 dragster, Don Gartlis who is a legendary drag racer, Emily & Aaron from Flying Sparks Garage, Ian Roussel from Full Custom Garage, Barry Williams from the Brady Bunch TV Show, Jo Coddington and Duane Wade from American Hot Rod, Greg and Leah of the famous Greg’s Speed Shop, Johnny D’Augtino who is the authority in the custom car culture, Linda Vaughn is the historical figure in the automotive world. (Jo Coddington will be sitting in with many of these interviews) These interviews were conducted at the 2021 Iola Car Show and Swap meet. Keep checking with www.wisconsinhotrodradio.com for the play dates.
Win Monster Jam Tickets for the Milwaukee show.
You will have to listen to the live version of Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio to hear how you can win the Monster Jam tickets. They will be giving away 3 pairs. The winners will receive electronic tickets so have your name, phone number and email address handy.
The Monster Jam show will be on August 20th through the 22nd, 2021. It will be held at the Fiserv Forum, 1111 Vel R Phillips Avenue, Milwaukee, WI. 53203.
You can listen live by using the streaming feature on the FonzFM or tune your radio to Milwaukee’s AM 1290, FM 100.3 or FM 107.3.
Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio is on every Saturday from 9 to 10 am CDT.
Wisconsin Big Boy is now a sponsor of Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio
Big Boy is back in Wisconsin and they have teamed up with Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio to turn back the time when cruisn’ to a burger joint and hangin’ out was cool.
In the near future, we will have Chaz Hastings on the show talking about all the specials and weekly cruise night news. Chaz is the spirit behind bringing this classic back to the Milwaukee area.
Stop in the restaurant to see all the Big Boy memorable items throughout the dining room. Mark your calendar for every Wednesday for their car show – weather permitting. Even if the weather doesn’t cooperate it’s still a great hangout for you and your club.
Wisconsin Big Boy is located at N116W15841 Main Street, Germantown, WI. The phone number is 262-293-3098. Check their website at www.wibigboy.com or “like” their Facebook page. @bestburgerwi
WHRR / Gandrud T-Shirts are a Big Hit!
Thanks for the generous donation from Gandrud’s GM High Performance Parts Center – Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio has handed out over 3 thousand free t-shirts.
This is limited supply and you can only get one where Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio will be. Again, this is a limited supply and there are no guarantees. And you must be present to get one.
The next location will be at the Granville Bid’s 5th Car, Truck and Bike Spectacular on Sunday, August 22nd, 2021. Click here for full show description.
Checking out our WHRR Car Show Event Calendar.
What can we say! Just go to our extensive car show even calendar and check it out. We try our best to assure the information is accurate. You can view each show which includes the show flyer, important categories, location and contact information.
You can search through the inventory by name, date and location.
You can view a complete list or view it by the week or by the month.
https://wisconsinhotrodradio.com/events/
You have something to say? We what to hear it.
Give us a call on the WHRR hot line at: 414-215-9477 (WHRR) or send us an email to: comments@wisconsinhotrodradio.com
Leave your name and contact info because we might read your stuff on the radio.
There are so many ways to tune in Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio.
Tune into the live broadcast this Saturday morning from 9 to 10 am. In Southeast Wisconsin dial FM 100.3 or FM 107.3 or AM 1290.
Not close enough to get the signal? Use your cel phone or computer and use the live streaming feature by clicking here or go to www.FonzFM.com.
Wait… not available to listen this Saturday morning? Come back later in the day and there will be a podcast version of the show embedded in this page.
Like to be able to move around while listening to the show? Go to any podcast service like iTunes, Google Music, Stitch and others to download the shows.
Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio has been on the air since 2007.
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