Originating in the early forties, car customizing first gained a foothold in the state of California. Some of the men who were rebuilding cars as a hobby at that time are today's nationally known professional customizers. Such a man is Gene Winfield of Modesto. His latest creation, the STIP-STAR, built especially for the Promotions, Inc., Show Car Division, clearly illustrates the professional's polished touch.

The STRIP-STAR is a combination sports-competition-show machine featuring an asymmetrically offset hand-formed aluminum body which is mounted on a modified early Ford chassis and covered underneath with a full belly pan. It has an electronically operated tonneau cover over the passenger seat and off-center Model T grille shape. The sleek fast-back design of the STRIP-STAR begins in the special roof over the driver's compartment and flows down to enclose the drag chute which aids in braking at speeds over 140 m.p.h. The car is intended to exceed 200 m.p.h. and has already undergone preliminary tests on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Abundant power is delivered by a full race 427 cu. in. Ford mill. The interior sports black naugahyde with foam-padded fiberglass bucket seats and black carpeting. The exterior is painted with 40 coats of candy tangerine over a pearl underbase. Goodyear Super Sport tires are mounted on Terra Thrust Wheels, designed and manufactured by Winfield, himself. The STRIP-STAR has its own unique show display and demonstration. A remote control system, operating inside and outside the car, raises and lowers the top, starts the engine, and operates the passenger windshield. Just as Gene Winfield has put Modesto, California, on the map of the rod & custom world, the STRIP-STAR will most certainly engrave Winfield's name in the minds of automotive enthusiasts, everywhere.