chrisruzin.net :: Chip Foose (March 17, 2004)

Nunya,
I for one I am pleased that a mental midget like yourself feels that this site “sucks”, because the likelihood that you’ll return to leave similar, if not more ridiculous and childish comments is unlikely. Go away simple minded, bottom feeder! This site is for “normal, rational thinking” individuals who wish to share their comments without resorting to simple-minded, elementary wording such as yours. Grow-up!

Growing up in Santa Barbara, Foose worked under the watchful eye of his father Sam Foose, himself a master bodyman. At the age of 13, Foose had painted his first car, a Porsche 356. He continued to refine his skills in all aspects of metal shaping and body work. In 1990, his expertise led to a coveted staff design position with famed hotrod builder, Boyd Coddington. There, he was instrumental in creating the acclaimed Boyd look, eventually becoming company president and director of design. Foose reveled in his time there, working with Coddington’s talented and fastidious crew.While there, he is credited with massaging such cars to life as the famed “Speedstar” and “Boydsters One and Two,” then design trademarks of the shop. Unfortunately, in the end, even fine vehicles such as these couldn’t help to salvage Hot Rods by Boyd, and in 1998 the company went bankrupt.At that moment, Foose himself faced an uncertain future.

As he tells it, he and his wife were down to their last $700, and as a responsible family man, Foose says that he was on the verge of finding another line of work. Instead however, at the 11th hour, he received a $10,000 cash advance to design for a client, which allowed he and his wife to start Foose Designs in Huntington Beach.The rest they say, is history. Consistency, hard work and yes, passion, have placed him at the forefront of today’s custom automotive designers.Whether executing full-scale versions of Mattel HotWheels, each one of them a fully functioning museum piece, to more recently creating auto designs for Disney’s latest animated feature, Cars, life is good. OK, so recently he had to turn down an all-expense-paid two-week trip to New Zealand, where he was invited to exhibit his wares.That, however, would only get in the way of his latest deal to create a very limited number of Foose designed Cadillac SRX and SLRs, his weekly series and his cherished life at home. The bottom line is this: here’s a guy whose at the top of his game, and that’s not in any way by accident.There is one other thing that Foose has reaffirmed — but if you’ve been following along you’ve probably already figured it out. It’s simply that nice guys do finish first.
—Philip Hayes

Chip is super-nice. I was fortunate enough to shake his hand and get my picture take with him at the Detroit Autorama this March. He and Troy Trepanier were showing off Joe Rogan’s Cuda and both made themselves very available for greetings and autographs – even while they were viewing the cars on the sho floor. Without the frenzy of the attention fame has gotten him – it seems that he would have talked to anybody for hours and answered any questions that were asked.

The Detroit Autorama is a great show by the way and worth the 500 miles I drove to get there.

Very interesting to read peoples comments regarding Chip Foose and Boyd Coddington.
Both guys are masters of their craft. No doubt about that. The television programmes are totally different, and should not be used to judge their ability and talent. Remember. One is a fun, “Let’s wind em up, then give em a nice suprise at the end” kind of programme. The other is a fantastic illustration of the harsh realities of running a sucessful Business within a highly competative sector. When someone is paying for a job to be done, they expect it to be of the highest quality, and to be done when it is promised.
Who do you think pays for the jobs carried out on overhaulin? Who cares about how cool these people come across? Who cares about these peoples Business history? Obviously lots of you.
Running a Business is tough. Loads of you must have worked for people like Boyd. I certainly have. Never did me any harm.
I enjoy watching both programmes. I like both Boyd and Chip for different reasons. Boyd reminds me of my dad. Chip reminds me of my older brother. Both styles work for me. More important, both produce some really great cars.

Ian:
“Thank you” I couldn’t agree with you more. Having met both Boyd and Chip when Chip worked for Boyd @ Hot Rods by Boyd in the early nineties, I felt then that Boyd was an additional fatherly figure to Chip, but as you so clearly state; the reality of running a competitive, successful business can and does unfortunately create serious differences leading up to broken partnerships. As I stated in a previous comment somewhere above; only Boyd and Chip know exactly where and why their “business partnership ended,” but I’m 100% certain that Chip would be the first to admit that although he’s tremendously talented, it was during his previous years working with Boyd Coddington that really transitioned his career to the next phase level that made possible all the awesome opportunities he now enjoys. Remember, although Chip’s current success requires and deserves our respect, Boyd’s been doing this successfully for the last 30-38 years, and is still if not more, successful than ever

Does any body know of any car show in the LA area where I can see any FOOSE designed cars? I’m there between July 7th and 18th.
I’ve met Chip on several occasions. Back in the 90’s. He’s my hero…

Richard, Norway

Richard:
The Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles as located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036, Tele: 323-930-CARS, and website: (http://www.petersen.org/) is an excellent destination to visit which occasionally displays Chip Foose creations, but hey why don’t you go to the source himself by visiting Foose Designs which is Headquartered at Foose Design Inc. 17811 Sampson Lane Huntington Beach, CA. 92647 that has Shop Visitor Hours: Monday – Friday 12:00PM – 1:00PM and 4:00PM – 4:30PM ONLY and website: http://www.chipfoose.com/. I hope this helpful?

Thank you. I know of the Petersen Museum and offcourse will I visit the man himself down in HB.
But I was kinda hoping that you know of any car show or anything car related in the greater LA area.
Does any one have Chip’s e-mail?

Richard,
Chips website is: www.chipfoose.com as displayed above, AS DISPLAYED ABOVE!!!!!!!

OK! So I’m stoopid then..?
I was asking for Chip’s E-MAIL adresss!!!!!!!!!!!! Not the URL for the Shop… :-(
But, if U can find his e-mail adress on there, please let me know…

Do you think Chip will get it then..?

Ok. Will do…
I’ll let U guys know what happened.

One more thing!

“Ant-Ram” wrote this:

Has anyone who resides in Orange County visited Boyd’s Garage in La Habra, CA on the second Saturday of every month? Boyd & crew put on a free open house, with numerous customs on display, Live Music, Hot Dogs & Burgers…

Is this something that’s still going on? I’m in the area on the second saturday of july.
And I really like to go there…

Does anybody know anything about this “open house” thing?

Have U guys seen this site?

Just a quickie – do you know if we will see anything of Charley on Overhaulin’ please?

Well I read everyones comments and im glad everyone is in agreement {sic}.Boyd,Chip,Jessie and the OCC crew build some wicked bitchin machines.Who gives a #### about all the petty crap.I grew up in the 60s and have been messin with cars all my life.As far as the tv shows.If you dont like them,go watch the price is right or one of those reality shows. As for me Ill be in my garage messin with me ride or cruzin with my buds. See on the road!

awesome site very fun to read all the stuff people think . LOL

chip foose is the best car builder in the world. it is in his blood(sam foose this father the great car builder). chip has two ridlers and how about boyd. boyd may have worked on cars but foose designed half of them. and jesse james is the best bike builder to. occ dosen’ t build half of the there bikes.god bless usa

oh sorry he has three ridler the grand master the stallion and the impression

Hey!
I was shaking the hand of mr. Chip Foose some days ago…

Wow… I just finished reading all the posts here. I wish I could say that I have met any of the mentioned masters of their craft, Chip, Boyd, the OCC gang or Jesse; I have been fabricating bikes and jeeps and other things for years. I am inspired by them all and try not to miss any of the shows. From a pure entertainment standpoint, I enjoy Overhaulin and Rides the most, simply because of the positive team spirit and lack of bickering, but I learn from all of them. I am waiting for Hollywood to come to my shop adn do a Jeep show!!

Let’s just assume that all of Boyd’s antics, terrible people skills, poor management and even his physical appearance are just an act for TV, still, what does that say about somebody who would allow themselves to be portrayed in this manner? Even if he is the coolest person around, he chose not to be viewed that way, and so be it, I certainly don’t.

Foose could be the biggest dick around, but on his show he’s portrayed as professional with tons of talent, integrity and an all around real nice guy, and this is how I see him.

Since 99% of us will never meet these guys, we can only go by what we see.

Chip wouldn’t compromise a paying customers car for ridiculous deadlines and self-imposed drama. Coddington appears to live for that.

I think maybe they ham it up a little for the camera, but don’t (want to) believe that it’s all just acting. If I’m wrong that’s OK, just let me think it’s true. Personally, I tune in mostly for the cars anyhow.

CHRIS – GREAT SITE – THANKS