Chip Foose

Douglas Sam "Chip" Foose (born October 13, 1963) is an American automobile designer, artist, and star designer of the car-customization reality television series Overhaulin'.

Life and career

Foose began working on automobiles at age seven for his father's company, Project Design, in Santa Barbara, California. Encouraged by Ford and Tucker Car Corporation designer Alex Tremulis, Foose started to attend the Art Center College of Design in 1982; however, he dropped out after two years due to financial difficulties. In 1993, Foose resigned from Sterenberger to work for J Mays at Ford; however, Coddington was able to convince Foose to work for him, instead.

In 1998, with Hot Rods by Boyd facing bankruptcy (due to the failure of Boyds Wheels ), Foose left his position and with his wife Lynne started his own automotive and product design company. In 2004, the TLC program Overhaulin' debuted, with Foose as the star. At the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, a unique 1969 Foose-designed Camaro convertible was displayed, to be produced in a 300 car run by Unique Performance of Dallas Texas. Press releases announced UP would also be handling the marketing of Foose's other custom car lines, including Hemisfear, along with Foose's 2006 Mustang Stallion. Foose also designed a paint scheme for 4-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jeff Gordon to promote DuPont's Hot Hues paint line. Foose has since severed ties with DuPont and now promotes the BASF Glasurit paint line exclusively.

In November 2007, Foose officially severed ties to Unique Performance following police action against UP for alleged illegal activities. In 2006, Foose launched a line of die cast replicas of many of his famous designs partnering with the makers of Johnny Lightning in the creation of JL Full Throttle. This company produced copies of many of Foose's famous, award-winning designs, including Grand Master and Impression. In 2002, Foose won the coveted Ridler Award at the 50th Anniversary Show of the Detroit Autorama with Bob and Wes Rydell's '35 Chevy Master, Grandmaster. Impression subsequently won the prestigious Ridler prize. Also replicated were a number of cars from "Overhaulin'". Announced at the SEMA show in 2006 was a pact between Foose and Ford to produce Foose-designed Ford vehicles, the first of which was shown at the 2007 New York Auto Show.

In 2007, Foose began limited production (50 vehicles in total) of Hemisfear. Also known as the Foose Coupe, Hemisfear was designed by Foose in 1990, during his time at the Art Center, and publicly unveiled at the SEMA trade show in November 2006. An earlier design drawing of Hemisfear inspired the Plymouth Prowler.

Foose helped to start the Ridemakerz customizable toy cars business in 2007.

As of 2010, Foose continues to operate Foose Design and provide design consultations to the Big Three automakers. He has also built the '32 Ford roadster coupe Magnatude. Overhaulin' was canceled at the end of 2009, though reruns still air on Discovery Turbo. Shortly following the launch of the channel Velocity, it was announced that the show would return in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Charity work Foose serves as the vice chairman of the Progeria Research Foundation's California Chapter. His youngest sister died of Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome. He has also taken part in numerous children's charities such as Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. He was named grand marshal of SEMA's Show N' Shine public car show for children's charities. Hall of Fame in 2012, and the San Francisco Rod and Custom Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2005. In January 2019, Foose was recognized as the Builder of the Decade by the Grand National Roadster Show. Foose has also won the following awards for his work:

Ridler Award in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2015. The Goodguys Street Rod of the Year Award in the years 1990, 1991, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2010.