hot rod legend
On May 19, 2025, the hot rod community lost one of its most respected and beloved figures—Tom Prufer. For those familiar with polished frames, hand-fabricated parts, and the unmistakable smell of hot oil on cold mornings, Tom was more than just a builder—he was a quiet giant in the world of traditional rods and custom craftsmanship.
The hot rod world just lost a titan—Gene Winfield, a guy who didn’t just customize cars, he straight-up reshaped the scene. Over seven decades of cutting, welding, painting, and innovating, Gene left behind a legacy that won’t ever fade, no matter how many coats of candy paint get sprayed in the future.
George Poteet, a true icon in the world of hot rodding and land speed racing, has left us, but his legacy blazes on like a nitro-fueled firestorm. Poteet wasn’t just another car guy; he was “The Car Guy,” a legend who lived life a quarter-mile at a time and made history on the salt flats. Let’s dive into the life of a man who put the pedal to the metal and never looked back.
