MEDICINE HAT, AB — On Saturday, Medicine Hat residents had an opportunity to meet a legend in the car customizing community.
Gene Winfield was at Windy’s Ice Cream Parlour to help judge a car show at the store that bares his name.
Winfield has been working on cars for longer than most of us have been alive.
His cars have been featured on numerous Tv shows and movies including Blade Runner, Robocop, and Star Trek.
At age 91, most people would be enjoying retirement, but Winfield is still going strong.
“See everyday I’m home I paint, and I do custom body work, welding, and things,” said Winfield. “While I’m out and about I go to cities all over the world, and I do metal working courses.”
Winfield lives south of the border but he was in Medicine Hat over the weekend to judge a car show and sign some autographs.
Mark Wawrzynkiewicz was at the car show on Saturday and was amazing at what Winfield is still able to do.
“He’s a hard act to follow. At his age it’s incredible the work ethic, and energy that he has. You know he travels all over the world and he’s still building cars, he’s still got an active shop going,” said Wawrzynkiewicz.
Nick Grabas, owner of Windy’s Ice Cream Parlour, got the chance to meet his hero over 50 years ago when he was just a teenager.
“I’ve seen all of his work in hot rod magazines,” said Grabas. “So, I went in and asked if I could meet Mr. Winfield. Well Gene came out from behind in the shop, stuck his hand out, and said the name’s Gene not Mr, what can i do for ya.”
They’ve been friends ever since. Grabas says when he opened the ice cream parlour he came up with a way to let Winfield know how much he values their friendship.
“Gene has always wanted to have an ice cream parlour and diner. So when my wife and I started Windy’s Ice Cream we didn’t have a name. We came up with Gene’s nickname to honour him for all that he’s done for me over the years,” said Grabas.
Inside the parlour there are pictures of some of the cars that Winfield has worked on throughout his career.
Though that space will be changing, and soon Winfield will be able to come back for a bite to eat.
“Well it’s just beautiful, it’s just so much enjoyment that I get out of doing that. Then now we’re making this into a diner,” said Winfield. “It will be down the street about a half a mile in a different building.”
Winfield will be continuing his tour of car shows south of the border, while Windy’s will move into their new building by the end of the month.
