Chip Foose is an artist whose works started from his teenage years when he spent most of his free time in his father’s garage. He had the great fortune to be trained by such masters as Gene Winfield and to hone his skills in the Art Center College of Design. His achievements and fame in the sphere of custom car design are the result of his extraordinary talent, diligence, and the unique opportunity to build his career path on his own.
Foose’s works are the result of his creative thinking and constant improvement of his professional skills. By developing such masterpieces as Zebra, he has pushed the boundaries of custom car design. However, in order to learn the main principles of auto painting, Chip had to acquire the necessary expertise in the field.
1. Introduction to the Passion of Chip Foose
Chip Foose discovered his love for automobiles at the age of seven while working in his father’s shop. Working in this environment enabled Foose to learn and develop his skill, and it is clear that working at the shop became a lifelong passion for him. This passion was instilled at a young age and is one of the key components that led Chip Foose to his successful design career.
Early Foundations for Future Success:
- His passion was sparked at age 7
- Learnt in his father’s shop
- His skill was apparent
- Craftsmanship was taught by Foose Snr
- He was mentored by Alex Tremulis
At a young age, Foose was also mentored by Alex Tremulis, a good friend and former partner of his father and a well known designer at Tucker and Ford Motor Company. Tremulis was very impressed with Foose’s artwork and suggested he pursue a career in design. More specifically, he advised Foose to attend the Art Center College of Design. This mentorship enabled Foose to connect his shop skills to his desire to pursue a formal design career.
2. Education and Mentorship of Chip Foose
Foose was able to gain formal design training when he attended the Art Center College of Design. At the Art Center, Foose was able to expand his knowledge of design and further develop his skills. Additionally, it is evident that Foose was further pushed to hone his skills in an effort to provide a competitive edge in the industry. This was very important for the development of his custom car design career.
Developing His Design Skills:
- Attended Art Center College
- His creative horizons were broadened
- He graduated with honours in 1990
- He was mentored by Gene Winfield
- Developed his unique aesthetic
Foose was also mentored by Gene Winfield, a notable custom car designer, who further developed his design skills. Winfield inspired Foose to develop his own style within the field of design. It can be seen that Foose had some great mentors during his early design career, which in turn set the foundation for his future success.
3. Experience at Companies Before Starting His Studio
Prior to launching his own custom car design company, Foose had the opportunity to gain experience at a number of companies, including Asha Corporation and Sterenberger Design. Foose was able to build up his portfolio of work at these companies. Additionally, he was able to further develop his illustration skills in addition to learning about the processes in constructing custom cars.
Rising Through Experience:
- Worked at Asha Corporation
- Worked at Sterenberger Design
- Joined ‘Hot Rods by Boyd’
- Partnered with Boyd Coddington
- Became president of the company
The most significant move Foose made was joining Hot Rods by Boyd and working with Boyd Coddington. This partnership enabled Foose to develop his unique style of design. This was further enhanced by the knowledge of illustration and construction he gained at Asha Corporation and Sterenberger Design. This experience set the foundation for his future success as a custom car designer. It can be said that this experience along with his father’s influence prepared him for his big break in the industry.
4. Foose Design and the Establishment of a Legacy
The Foose Design company was established in 1998 and was based in Santa Barbara, California. In his own right, Foose was able to establish a great reputation in the industry and offer a wide range of services to clients. This included everything from illustrations to the actual construction of the custom cars. Foose’s reputation was further enhanced when the company relocated to Huntington Beach in 1999. Foose Design has created a legacy in the custom car design industry over the last 20 years.
From Start up To Legacy:
- Established company in 1998
- Offered complete design and build
- Moved to Huntington Beach in 1999
- Has been in the industry for over 2 decades
- Combines fine art and function
Foose Design was one of the go-to custom car design companies, especially for car enthusiasts and the industry at large. Foose’s expertise enabled the company to offer a complete design and build service to its clients. Illustrations, designs and building were all included in the company’s core services. The company’s relocation to Huntington Beach in 1999 marked the beginning of a new era for the company.
5. TV Show Stardom and the Cultural Impact of ‘Overhaulin”
With a strong foundation in the vehicle fabrication space, Chip Foose went on to captivate audiences globally as the star of the TV show ‘Overhaulin’. From its debut on the LifeStyles Channel (TLC) in 2004 until its conclusion in 2008, Foose presented his talents in a new light. In 2009, the show was relaunched on Discovery Turbo and continued its journey until 2015. It was subsequently revived on the Discovery Channel in 2012 and once again in 2019. Across its numerous airings, Foose showcased the transformation of almost 90 dream cars for ordinary car owners.
Captivating Audiences:
- Debuted on TLC in 2004
- Transformed almost 90 cars
- Relaunched on Discovery in 2012
- Balanced drama and deadlines
- He drove the finished cars
‘Overhaulin’ became a global phenomenon, diving deeper into the lives of car owners and capturing the rich personal histories of each vehicle. Foose’s extraordinary talents in custom car design enabled him to combine the dramatic storytelling of the personal histories of each car with the incredibly short deadlines. This was all part of the magic that viewers across the world fell in love with. Foose’s on-screen presence and driving of the finished cars after their transformation only added to his legendary status in the eyes of his fans.
6. Notable Projects, Industry Consultancy and Awards
As one of America’s finest custom car designers, Chip Foose has transformed his fair share of iconic cars. In addition to this, Foose has had the pleasure of working with some of the industry’s biggest names. He has also landed numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. The legendary Boydster I and Boydster II are just two of the many renowned custom cars Foose has had a hand in creating.
A Legacy of Excellence:
- Created the Boydster I and II
- Revived the DeLorean DMC-12
- Consulted for Ford, GM and Chrysler
- Won the AMBR Award multiple times
- Won the Ridler Award four times
Besides the creation of legendary custom cars, Foose’s talents have also shone through in the design consultancy field. Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Chrysler have all benefited from his expert consultancy. Foose has reaped the rewards of his hard work and dedication to the industry as he has won a number of prestigious awards. This includes the Hot Rod of the Year Award several times over the years and the Good Guys Trendsetter Award. He has also won the Street Rod of the Year Award. In 2015, he made history when he won the Ridler Award for the fourth time at the Detroit Autorama, securing his spot in the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2016.
