Modesto was home to some of the most legendary street rod builders and car customizers, a culture that grew from young people rebuilding older cars they could afford and turning them into machines for racing, showing, displaying craftsmanship, and attracting attention. Gene Winfield began in a chicken coop converted into a garage on Modesto’s west side at 1309 Figaro Street, where he developed his design skills and pioneered paint finishes such as Candy Apple Red and Pearl. After serving in the Navy and then being drafted into the Army in 1950, he learned hammer-welding during service in Japan, a skill that transformed his car-modifying career. He later moved his shop to 451 Tully Road across from MJC, designed famous custom vehicles for television and movies, and developed custom spaceships for Star Trek. Among those who assisted him were local figures Marvin “Bart” Bartoni and Pete Hischier. Gene and Bart presented many Century Topper Car shows in the 1950s and 1960s, while Bart, whose jewelry store stood near this spot at 919 Bartoni Lane – 10th Street, watched many creations cruise 10th Street and became remembered for his radio jingle. He remains active in Graffiti and still displays his 1939 Mercury at many Modesto car shows while maintaining his friendship with Gene Winfield. Pete Hischier was a regular in Gene’s shop, an early Century Topper, and an assistant at many car shows; he owned a rare modified 1950 Mercury that he later sold to Gene, who customized it further. Chuck Billington, working at Borge’s Blacksmith and Welding at 531 7th Street with racer Allen Grant and welding mentor Ernie Oliviera, made the roll bar installed on George Lucas’ modified Fiat Bianchina at Foreign Car Service, and that roll bar saved Lucas’ life in a horrific accident at Sylvan Avenue and Rexford Drive. Chuck later opened his own metal shop, which became a home for local racers and speed enthusiasts, and he and Don Monaco later designed cars that set land speed records and pushed engineering further. The classic cruise centered on highly polished cars with lowered bodies, wheelshrouds, Appleton spotlights, chrome, and flicker wheels, their shine reflecting in downtown Modesto store windows as drivers cruised 10th and 11th Streets and gathered nightly to talk about improving their cars. Modesto remains home to classic car customizing shops, including newer shops such as Neville Brothers, Burnside Body Shop, and Graffiti Classic Customs in Turlock, and Gene Winfield still visits regularly and remained active in 2012, advising on cars being modified by Bart Bartoni and continuing to push his creations to the edge.