Gene Winfield Customs

Body Paint and Flames  :::::  Gene and his team of artisans have been building custom cars for racing, the film industry and private collectors since 1947.Body Paint and Flames ::::: Gene and his team of artisans have been building custom cars for racing, the film industry and private collectors since 1947.
Flames and Sparks  :::::  Gene moved his shop to the remote outskirts of Mojave, California so he could have as much space, and make as much noise, as he wanted.Flames and Sparks ::::: Gene moved his shop to the remote outskirts of Mojave, California so he could have as much space, and make as much noise, as he wanted.
The Thing  :::::  Winfield's flathead-powered Model T, The Thing ::::: Winfield's flathead-powered Model T, "The Thing." Handbuilt for for racing on the nearby dry lakes.
The Patrician  :::::  When most shops have shut down and gone home for the day, Winfield's is still bustling deep into the night.The Patrician ::::: When most shops have shut down and gone home for the day, Winfield's is still bustling deep into the night.
Mercs' & More  :::::  There are dozens of projects going on.Mercs' & More ::::: There are dozens of projects going on.
SUX  :::::  One-of-a-kind SUX ::::: One-of-a-kind "6000 SUX" prop car from the movie "Robocop" (3 made, 2 blown up).
Fake Rockets  :::::  This car belongs in some kind of museum.Fake Rockets ::::: This car belongs in some kind of museum.
9AM - 9AM  :::::  Let's caffeinate and go inside.9AM - 9AM ::::: Let's caffeinate and go inside.
Ruby Caddy  :::::  Partially finished dust covered Caddy custom convertible, sealed from the elements in one of the work bays.Ruby Caddy ::::: Partially finished dust covered Caddy custom convertible, sealed from the elements in one of the work bays.
Wiring Nightmare  :::::  Still a long way to go here.Wiring Nightmare ::::: Still a long way to go here.
Making Sparks  :::::  Winfield and his crew use traditional metalworking techniques that date back to the beginning of customs.  Everything is done by hand.Making Sparks ::::: Winfield and his crew use traditional metalworking techniques that date back to the beginning of customs. Everything is done by hand.
The Blue Light  :::::  It's painstaking, slow, dirty work, but everyone that works there lives and breathes this stuff.The Blue Light ::::: It's painstaking, slow, dirty work, but everyone that works there lives and breathes this stuff.
Blue in the Red Booth  :::::  The old paint booth holds a forgotten treasure.Blue in the Red Booth ::::: The old paint booth holds a forgotten treasure.
Custom Graveyard  :::::  In fact, the entire backlot of Winfield's is loaded with forgotten treasures.Custom Graveyard ::::: In fact, the entire backlot of Winfield's is loaded with forgotten treasures.
Decaying Fins  :::::  A never finished '62 Cadillac custom decays in the backlot, its paint peeling in chunks.Decaying Fins ::::: A never finished '62 Cadillac custom decays in the backlot, its paint peeling in chunks.
Lime Fade  :::::  1962 Cadillac Coupe de Ville custom.Lime Fade ::::: 1962 Cadillac Coupe de Ville custom.
Poop Here  :::::  Nash Metro.Poop Here ::::: Nash Metro.
The El Linc-perial-ero  :::::  Another hand-made one of a kind car: A custom Lincoln/Imperial Pick Up.The El Linc-perial-ero ::::: Another hand-made one of a kind car: A custom Lincoln/Imperial Pick Up.
Rust Invasion  :::::  MGB GT and some kind of movie prop vehicle.Rust Invasion ::::: MGB GT and some kind of movie prop vehicle.
Hey  :::::  Early-'60s Cadillac scraps.Hey ::::: Early-'60s Cadillac scraps.
Lilac Skeg  :::::  1961 Cadillac Sedan de Ville.Lilac Skeg ::::: 1961 Cadillac Sedan de Ville.
Screaming Chicken  :::::  Iconic '70s-vintage Pontiac Trans Am hood.Screaming Chicken ::::: Iconic '70s-vintage Pontiac Trans Am hood.
Eldo Heaven  :::::  Fourth generation Cadillac Eldorado.Eldo Heaven ::::: Fourth generation Cadillac Eldorado.
Dirty Dice  :::::  1954 Chevy Custom.Dirty Dice ::::: 1954 Chevy Custom.
The Pink-Eyed Premiere  :::::  1958 Lincoln Premiere.The Pink-Eyed Premiere ::::: 1958 Lincoln Premiere.
Nights Templar  :::::  Volvo P1800.Nights Templar ::::: Volvo P1800.
The Purple Slantback  :::::  Second-generation Cadillac Seville.The Purple Slantback ::::: Second-generation Cadillac Seville.
  • Body Paint and Flames  :::::  Gene and his team of artisans have been building custom cars for racing, the film industry and private collectors since 1947.
  • Flames and Sparks  :::::  Gene moved his shop to the remote outskirts of Mojave, California so he could have as much space, and make as much noise, as he wanted.
  • The Thing  :::::  Winfield's flathead-powered Model T,
  • The Patrician  :::::  When most shops have shut down and gone home for the day, Winfield's is still bustling deep into the night.
  • Mercs' & More  :::::  There are dozens of projects going on.
  • SUX  :::::  One-of-a-kind
  • Fake Rockets  :::::  This car belongs in some kind of museum.
  • 9AM - 9AM  :::::  Let's caffeinate and go inside.
  • Ruby Caddy  :::::  Partially finished dust covered Caddy custom convertible, sealed from the elements in one of the work bays.
  • Wiring Nightmare  :::::  Still a long way to go here.
  • Making Sparks  :::::  Winfield and his crew use traditional metalworking techniques that date back to the beginning of customs.  Everything is done by hand.
  • The Blue Light  :::::  It's painstaking, slow, dirty work, but everyone that works there lives and breathes this stuff.
  • Blue in the Red Booth  :::::  The old paint booth holds a forgotten treasure.
  • Custom Graveyard  :::::  In fact, the entire backlot of Winfield's is loaded with forgotten treasures.
  • Decaying Fins  :::::  A never finished '62 Cadillac custom decays in the backlot, its paint peeling in chunks.
  • Lime Fade  :::::  1962 Cadillac Coupe de Ville custom.
  • Poop Here  :::::  Nash Metro.
  • The El Linc-perial-ero  :::::  Another hand-made one of a kind car: A custom Lincoln/Imperial Pick Up.
  • Rust Invasion  :::::  MGB GT and some kind of movie prop vehicle.
  • Hey  :::::  Early-'60s Cadillac scraps.
  • Lilac Skeg  :::::  1961 Cadillac Sedan de Ville.
  • Screaming Chicken  :::::  Iconic '70s-vintage Pontiac Trans Am hood.
  • Eldo Heaven  :::::  Fourth generation Cadillac Eldorado.
  • Dirty Dice  :::::  1954 Chevy Custom.
  • The Pink-Eyed Premiere  :::::  1958 Lincoln Premiere.
  • Nights Templar  :::::  Volvo P1800.
  • The Purple Slantback  :::::  Second-generation Cadillac Seville.

This series of images was shot on one full moon night in November 2010.

Gene Winfield has been making custom cars and hot rods for private collectors, dry lakes racing and the movie industry since 1947.  Notable vehicles include “The Jade Idol”, “The Thing”, “Solar Scene” and “Maybellene.”  His film work includes the Spinners in “Blade Runner”, the 6000 SUX in “Robocop” and the Galileo shuttlecraft for the original “Star Trek” series.

He moved his LA-based shop out to the high desert around the turn of the century so he could have as much room, and make as much noise as he wanted to. His team of seasoned old pros and young apprentices are so passionate they work deep into the night, every night.  I’ve driven past the shop at midnight and they were still cranking away.

Behind the bustling shop, his private junkyard is filled with half finished project cars and movie props.  It’s like a custom graveyard back there!

It’s an amazing place. Thanks for the access Gene!