Meet Gabby Downing, The Automotive Content Creator Paving Her Own Path

In partnership with Ford, we’re profiling inspiring women who demonstrate the beautifully nuanced facets of what strength looks like today. Here, we’re meeting Gabby Downing and hearing her story of turning tragedy and obstacles into resilience and self-reliance. She is Built Ford Proud.

Gabby Downing understands the importance of carving out your own space and the necessity of perseverance. She is an automotive content creator — her vehicle of choice is the Ford Bronco, which she currently owns and drives. And like many digital creators, she works tirelessly on her craft. Unlike those in more traditional social media fields, however, she is a grassroots racer and vehicle builder on a mission to make car culture more accessible.

Car culture can be very insular. Historically, it’s been a male-dominated space. While women have successfully raced in big-name circuits, their names are too often far and few between. Moreover, breaking into the automotive world as a woman can feel like a masterclass in battling resistance.

“I never had a mentor or anyone to guide me while I taught myself to work on cars,” says Downing. “I am 100% self-taught. I learned through service manuals, YouTube, and trial and error. I attempted to make friends who I thought would want to help teach me, but many of those ‘friends’ were trying to trade their mechanic help for a date. Most assumed I was only interested in cars to gain male attention. And when I attempted to get an apprenticeship, the person I was trying to work for usually looked me up and down and asked why I was even there.”

But in a world that often has more barriers than entry points, Downing is paving her way. “I just don’t let the fact that I’m a woman stop me,” she says. “I’m going to find a way to do it, and if people don’t believe in me, whatever. I’m going to prove them wrong.”

“Strength to me is defined by going through tough, terrible times and coming out strong because of it — not letting yourself be an outcome of your environment but an outcome of your choices.”

Downing’s beginnings start in Virginia, where her parents owned a farrier business. She fell in love with the outdoors and played in the mud, rode horses, explored the woods, and drove four-wheelers. “My mom and dad were huge influences,” says Downing. “My dad always spoke about hard work and dedication…and my mom was so supportive of whatever we wanted to do, as long as we were willing to work hard for it.”

Then, tragically when she was 14, “my father took his own life,” says Downing. “From then on, I took on responsibilities most kids don’t have. I had a new perspective for life and…gained the confidence that I can handle any other struggles. Strength to me is defined by going through tough, terrible times and coming out strong because of it — not letting yourself be an outcome of your environment but an outcome of your choices.”

She went on to work as a fashion model booking a few local gigs in her area and eventually had a 10-year career that took her to New York and around the world. But Downing wanted more, which is why she walked away from modeling and returned to her earlier passions: the outdoors and cars. She started learning to rebuild, repair, and modify cars without any formal training. She started sharing her journey online. She started racing. And then, she started winning.

Downing has had the honor of collaborating with car brands like Ford, as well as speaking at multiple panels at the SEMA Global Media Awards Program for several consecutive years. “The fact that I’m there regularly and am able to speak to so many younger content creators, to show them that there is now a paved road to get where I am,” she says, “it’s really cool for me.” Downing was also crowned the Off-Road Champion at the 2022 Mint 400 in a limo and was a featured racer at the Nitro Rally Cross Happy Hour in 2021.

When she’s not racing, Downing creates approachable videos teaching her audience how to do everything from rebuilding engines to tricking out their cars with aftermarket parts. She’s excited to serve as a mentor — for both content creators and brands. “Success isn’t measured by money, status, or followers,” says Downing. “Find what you’re passionate about, and chase it as far as you can. Don’t listen to what others think of you. It doesn’t matter at all.”

Her unique path to becoming a legitimate force in the automotive and racing world helps Downing provide a roadmap for a new generation of influencers, as well as share best practices for brands that want to work with them. In 2023, the sky continues to be the only limit for this trailblazer, because, as she puts it: “Quitting isn’t an option.”

Photographer: Kim Raff

Hair & Makeup: Karin Clark King

Creative Director: Julie Cid

Producer: Kandice Chavous

Production Manager: Nancy Valev

Art Directors: Allison Gore & Aoife Clancy

Designer: Aoife Clancy

Senior Branded Director: Lexi Novak