It’s not uncommon for athletes, musicians, businessmen to swing through the garage when they’re in town, but GMG recently had perhaps the most meaningful guests in recent memory stop by, Mr. Gene Winfield. Even if you don’t know Gene by name odds are good that you’ve seen his work on multiple occasions.
As a veteran fabricator Gene has created many classics like Richard’s “King T” and inspired generation after generation of fabricators including Richard and the Monkeys. Gene’s work would catch Hollywood’s eye and launch a film and television career that would expose his work to millions and solidify it in popular culture forever. On the small screen Gene’s creations were seen on Get Smart, Batman, Star Trek and more throughout the ‘60s and would help him break onto the big screen in 1982 helping create 22 cars for Blade Runner and sparking a film career that would go on to include The Last Starfighter, Trancers and Robocop.
Gene’s work would later find itself as inspiration for a Hot Wheels Redline edition car called the “Hot Heap Roadster.” It was, in fact, the “King T” Richard bought at Barret-Jackson Las Vegas 2016 that Hot Wheels would base their designs on. Gene’s “King T” was designed and built by himself and Don Tognotti over a two-year period from 1962 to 1964. The car was restored in 2007 and repainted to match its original Wild Lavender Pearl color by Gene Winfield himself.
About 52 years after completing the “King T” Gene found himself again behind the wheel at GMG and Richard riding shotgun with his automotive hero.
The post Automotive Legend, Gene Winfield, Visits GMG appeared first on GAS MONKEY GARAGE | RICHARD RAWLINGS | FAST N’ LOUD.
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