Gene Winfield

Gene Winfield (born 1927) is an American automotive customizer. In the mid-1960s, his designs caught the attention of the film community, resulting in a large body of his work being seen on screen, including in the iconic 1982 film Blade Runner.

Early life and career

Growing up in Modesto, California, Winfield was exposed to auto body shops and auto racing, including driving 135 mph in a Ford Model T ("The Thing") at Bonneville Speedway in 1951. He soon opened a business in Modesto, Winfield's Custom Shop. An early innovation was the blended custom paint, where the two colors are carefully faded together

Building on his experience, in 1962, Winfield joined Aluminum Model Toys (AMT) as a consultant style designer for their model kits.

Winfield also worked with Detroit automakers who turned to craftsmen to add their custom touches to factory cars. As part of the "Ford Custom Car Caravan," Winfield developed the 'Pacifica' Econoline van, the Mercury Comet 'Cyclone Sportster,' and the 'Strip Star' - an aluminum bodied sports car with a powerful Ford 427 V8 engine.