November 5th, 2009 - Las Vegas, NV.
One car owner at the 2010 Syracuse Nationals will be the recipient of the 1st Annual Winfield Award. The prestigious award for automotive excellence will be presented by master car customizer and builder Gene Winfield.

The winner will receive a beautiful one of a kind award, a personalized commemorative jacket, and $5,000.

Gene is a master of his craft, and world famous for his custom cars and hot rods. A recipient of the 2001 NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award, he has over 60 years experience in custom hot rod fabrication, land speed, and oval track racing.

Winfield is one of the key players who started the customizing craze that first swept through California and then throughout the nation in the '50s and '60s.
Gene's cars have appeared in more than 25 motion pictures.

Winfield's best known custom car, the "Jade Idol," started as a '56 Mercury. The "Jade Idol" positioned Winfield at the leading edge of auto exotica. This car took two years to build and received top sweepstakes awards at national car shows for the next several years.

Entrants for the Winfield Award will be required to submit photos of their vehicle and a complete list of modifications by May 1st, 2010. All entrants must have at least one radical modification. (e.g. chopped, sectioned, and/or channeled) All makes and all years are welcome for entry.

From these entries Gene will pick six vehicles to be known as the “Select Six.” These vehicles will be prominently displayed inside one of the main buildings at the Syracuse Nationals, July 16-18, 2010.

Each of the six finalists will receive a plaque, jacket and $500 upon arrival at the show.

Final judging by Gene Winfield will take place at the show, with the winner being announced Saturday July 17, during the annual Syracuse Nationals dinner dance.
All entries must be mailed to Right Coast Association, PO Box 3146, Syracuse, NY, 13220, prior to May 1, 2010.

For more details and criteria call 800-753-3978, Mon. - Fri. 9am to 5pm EST.
  
Bob O’Connor (left) Director of the Right Coast Association and legendary customizer Gene Winfield unveiled a rendering of the “Winfield Award” while in the Syracuse Nationals booth at the 2009 SEMA Show.
.................The "Jade Idol".....................Gene Working on a custom rendering.
In 1955, after 9 years in the old chicken house, Gene moved his Shop into town and named it Winfield's Custom Shop. Gene's business had began to pick up, and Gene started hiring employees. This was only the begining of what was to become.