Image via winfieldscustomshop/Instagram,IMDB
Gene Winfield, a movie and TV car designer many revere for pioneering hotrod and lowrider methods used by many builders today, died recently at the age of 97. Among the productions Winfield worked on are notable entries like Blade Runner, RoboCop, and even the original Star Trek television series.
Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton inserts himself into a famous movie scene.
Winfield was also a celebrated hotrod builder, something which is common among the old school movie/TV car builder crowd. In fact, he’s recognized as one of the pioneers of hotrod and lowrider culture. That’s why some have referred to him as “the King of Customs.”
At least until right before the very end, Winfield was still building cars and going to events, socializing with other gearheads. The man loved speed and performance, he himself barely slowly down even in his elderly years.
Born in Springfield, Missouri, Winfield grew up during the Great Depression as the youngest of six children. Seeking greater economic prosperity, his family moved to Modesto, California
An enterprising youth, he opened his first automotive shop at the ripe age of 15. Shortly after, he bought a 1928 Ford Model A coupe. After joining the Navy at the end of World War II, Gene returned home and got into the hotrod scene, chopping his brother’s ’41 Plymouth convertible.
It didn’t take the man long to build a huge reputation. With that came Hollywood studios wanting him to use his creativity and fabrication skills to build custom vehicles for television shows and movies. That was how his work reached a more mainstream audience and will continue living on in those beloved productions.
Back on February 27, Winfield’s Custom Shop posted on Instagram about his declining health, revealing his wishes that his museum remain intact instead of the different cars being sold off for big money. He passed away on March 4.
Image via winfieldscustomshop/Instagram,IMDB
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