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.
The 6000 SUX ::::: One-of-a-kind prop car from the movie The 6000 SUX ::::: One-of-a-kind prop car from the movie "Robocop" (3 made, 2 blown up).
I'd Buy That For A Dollar :::::I'd Buy That For A Dollar :::::
Fake Rockets ::::: This car was later restored and shown at the Peterson Museum in 2019. No idea where it is now.Fake Rockets ::::: This car was later restored and shown at the Peterson Museum in 2019. No idea where it is now.
IL = :::::IL = :::::
9AM - 9AM ::::: Let's caffeinate and go inside.9AM - 9AM ::::: Let's caffeinate and go inside.
Ruby Caddy ::::: Ruby Caddy :::::
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.
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.
The Lime Light Premiere ::::: 1958 Lincoln Premiere.The Lime Light Premiere ::::: 1958 Lincoln Premiere.
Dirty Dice ::::: 1954 Chevy Custom.Dirty Dice ::::: 1954 Chevy Custom.
Nights Templar ::::: Volvo P1800.Nights Templar ::::: Volvo P1800.
Rust Invasion ::::: MGB GT and some kind of hand made vehicle.Rust Invasion ::::: MGB GT and some kind of hand made 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.
Dash de Ville ::::: 1961 Cadillac Sedan de Ville.Dash de Ville ::::: 1961 Cadillac Sedan de Ville.
Eldo Heaven ::::: Eighth generation Cadillac Eldorado.Eldo Heaven ::::: Eighth generation Cadillac Eldorado.
The Slantback ::::: Second-generation Cadillac Seville.The 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.
  • The 6000 SUX ::::: One-of-a-kind prop car from the movie
  • I'd Buy That For A Dollar :::::
  • Fake Rockets ::::: This car was later restored and shown at the Peterson Museum in 2019. No idea where it is now.
  • IL = :::::
  • 9AM - 9AM ::::: Let's caffeinate and go inside.
  • Ruby Caddy :::::
  • 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.
  • The El Linc-perial-ero ::::: Another hand-made one of a kind car: A custom Lincoln/Imperial Pick Up.
  • The Lime Light Premiere ::::: 1958 Lincoln Premiere.
  • Dirty Dice ::::: 1954 Chevy Custom.
  • Nights Templar ::::: Volvo P1800.
  • Rust Invasion ::::: MGB GT and some kind of hand made vehicle.
  • Hey ::::: Early-'60s Cadillac scraps.
  • Lilac Skeg ::::: 1961 Cadillac Sedan de Ville.
  • Dash de Ville ::::: 1961 Cadillac Sedan de Ville.
  • Eldo Heaven ::::: Eighth generation Cadillac Eldorado.
  • The 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!