The Solar Scene

The Solar Scene

A recreation of The Solar Scene that Winfield and his crew were working on in 2019. This photo shows the project as it sat in October of 2019. Photo courtesy of Tom VanNortwick.

Photo courtesy of Tom VanNortwick.

In 2023, Gene debuted the Solar Scene II at the SEMA Show. Built from fiberglass, the Solar Scene II is a recreation of the original Solar Scene that Gene originally built in 1964. This photo was posted as a sneak peek on Winfield's Instagram account on October 31, 2023. Photo courtesy of Winfield Custom Shop.

1950 Mercury custom built by Winfield's Custom Shop in 1963. The chopped and channeled Mercury was modified with a 1953 Mercury windshield. The most noticeable features on the Solar Scene is the sculpted wheel wells with stainless inserts, dual frenched headlights molded into the front fenders, and a handmade grille. The car was also equipped with custom-built seats that swung out with power-operated doors. Gene Winfield painted the Solar Scene in a candy bronze with faded edges around the wheel wells. It was powered by a heavily chromed Buick Nailhead.

Rod & Custom magazine called the Solar Scene "one of the most original custom renditions the '50 Mercury.

The Recreation

In October of 2019 Gene and his crew at Winfield's Custom Shop were working on a recreation of the famous custom.

Magazine Features

Hot Rod Magazine May 1963
Rod & Custom July 1963
Spotlite Book 534 Custom Headlights & Fenders
Hot Rod Deluxe May 2009

Sources

Classic Customs and Lead Sleds by Bo Bertilsson
C-WE
Rik Hoving Custom Car Photo Archive