It's been said some of the best things in life are free, and when it comes to a custom car and hot rod show like Gene Winfield and Larry Watson's first annual gathering, we're here to tell you its true! The flyers for Larry and Gene's October 19, 2008 show started circulating in early June, and the buzz was well on its way to a major clamor by the time we rolled into to Mojave, California to take it all in. In the spirit of carpooling and just hanging out together to raise a little hell I rode up with Bob Ryder, Truckin's tech editor, and Michael Stanford, Street Rodder's art-director. I knew it was going to an incredible day as soon as Bob rolled up in a pitch black '08 Ford pickup that Truckin' had just finished running the wheels off for its truck of the year awards. On the flyer the hours for the gathering were listed from 11 a.m. to till 7 p.m. but somehow the three of us decided to roll out of Orange County at five in the morning, and as luck would have it, it turned out to be a good idea.
By 9:30 a.m. there was already a long line of every kind of cool vehicle parked alongside the highway in front of Gene's shop. We bailed out of the Ford and hoofed it the rest of the way to discover a proverbial custom culture smorgasbord. Check out some of the photos Michael and I shot, and you'll see what I mean. For those of you that would like to attend next year's show it will be held on October 18, 2009. For show information call (661) 824-4728.
Here's Gene Winfield being...
Here's Gene Winfield being photographed by a Tim Bernsau from Rod & Custom impersonator. Who says paint fumes aren't good for you, look how great Gene looks after all these years.
Here's Larry Watson and Bo...
Here's Larry Watson and Bo Huff. Larry is giving Bo some custom painting tips on how to keep his beard out of the acrylic lacquer while he's shooting clear.
Man, who didn't build this...
Man, who didn't build this AMT Double Kit when they were a kid? Fresh from the cover of the August '63 issue of Hot Rod the XR6 was at Gene and Larry's gathering.
Not a famous show truck from...
Not a famous show truck from the good old days, but obviously inspired by one. It's the El Camshrinko.
Chico from Mooneyes got an...
Chico from Mooneyes got an early start at the gathering and no that's not his 4-door '59 Mercury he's standing in front of.
Here's pinstriper Dennis Ricklefs...
Here's pinstriper Dennis Ricklefs and custom painter Bill Carter. We won't kid Dennis about how many different TV shows we see him pulling stripes on these days.
Here's Bill Hines rolling...
Here's Bill Hines rolling in his candy apple red Cadillac Eldorado. Bill was swarmed by the crowd and signed a whole bunch of autographs without missing a beat ... the people loved him!
Supercharged motors require...
Supercharged motors require free-flowing exhaust manifolds to help exit spent exhaust gases. Notice the graceful bends on this '60 El Camino's homemade headers.
Name two things more curvaceous...
Name two things more curvaceous than this chop-top '1956 Lincoln and we'll send you a case of Mom's canned sweet pickles with the good ones picked out.
Here's customizer, and all-around...
Here's customizer, and all-around great guy Gordie Brown (Salt Lake City) with one of the nicest umbrella holders we've ever seen.