Autoweek: Gene Winfield, One of the Original California Customizers, Has Died
Legendary car customizer was known for his innovation & craftmanship for more than 70 years…
Autoweek has reported that Gene Winfield has passed away at the age of 94. According to Autoweek, Winfield chopped the tops off around 800 1949-51 Mercury coupes to shape into his own artistic visions. Winfield’s custom cars won many awards over the years, and he was also known for sharing his passion and knowledge through workshops to inspire the next generation of customizers.
Chip Foose’s dad, Sam Foose, was a shop foreman and painter for Winfield. Chip shares his memories with Autoweek of growing up and hanging out in Winfield’s shop, watching him make his custom creations. John Buck, owner of Rod Shows, and Barry Mequiar, former president of Mequiar’s Inc. and host of Discovery’s “Car Crazy,” also pay tribute to Winfield in Autoweek.
For the full Autoweek article, click here. To learn more about Winfield’s accomplishments, you can read his full biography on the Winfield Custom Shop website.
