I got a call from Mercury Charlie earlier today about an upcoming class to be held at his shop.  The class is a thorough and hands on look at metal shaping techniques and is presented by Gene Winfield.

For those that might not be aware of who Gene is, and his history, there is much to talk about!  The man is a legend and began working on cars in the 1940’s!  That’s not a misprint.  Gene is over 90 years old and is a role model for me, and I believe many others.  He is still travelling the world putting on these seminars and that generally include a top-chopping class at SEMA each year and at many other locations around the world.  A year or two back he had an incident in Scandinavia while there teaching a class and was seriously injured, but that has not stopped him.  He was medi-vaced back to the States for treatment and recovery and now is back to his regular routine.

I have attended two of Mr. Winfield’s classes, one where he showed the class how to chop a top…and I mean hands on training, and the other on equipment and techniques to customize cars…and as he says: “make them cool…”.  His heyday was in producing some of the very best cars built in the 50’s and 60’s and beyond and he is very well known and respected member of our car culture.

Charlie explained that the class is coming quickly, in fact it is scheduled for this next Saturday and Sunday, November 2nd and 3rd.  The tuition is $500. for the two day course…and believe me it’s a full two days of learning, with a lot of laughs mixed in.  Charlie generally throws a party after the Saturday class and Gene is the first one on the dance floor!

Charlie asks that you contact him directly at his Austin shop for information and to sign up.  You can reach him there at 512-331-6500.  You won’t regret seeing this remarkable man in action.

Thanks,

Jay