Chip Foose

Chip Foose
Greggreeson at English Wikipedia; cropped by Beyond My Ken (talk) 20:41, 30 Marc · Public domain · source
Name	Chip Foose
Birth name	Charles Francis Foose III
Birth date	13 October 1963
Birth place	Santa Barbara, California
Occupation	Automobile designer, fabricator, television personality
Years active	1980s–present
Spouse	Lynne Foose
Relatives	Boyd Coddington (former employer)

Chip Foose (born October 13, 1963) is an American automobile designer, fabricator, and television personality best known for his work in custom car restoration and his role on automotive television programs. He is recognized for blending classic hot rod aesthetics with modern engineering and for leading Foose Design, a design and fabrication shop in Poway, California. Foose's career spans studio design, one-off builds, and mass-market collaborations with automotive manufacturers and aftermarket companies.

Early life and education

Charles Francis Foose III was born in Santa Barbara, California and raised in Santa Barbara County, California and later in Escondido, California. He is the son of a mechanic family and the nephew of custom-car builder Boyd Coddington, which exposed him early to custom hot rod culture, custom car competitions, and fabrication. Foose studied industrial design at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he trained in automotive styling and transportation design; his education there connected him to a network of designers at firms such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, and boutique studios in Southern California. During his student years he interned and worked on prototype and concept projects, gaining experience relevant to later collaborations with companies like Hertz, Saleen, and Shelby American.

Career and custom car design

Foose began his professional career working in custom fabrication and design shops, including a notable period with Boyd Coddington's shop, which competed in national shows such as the Grand National Roadster Show and events organized by the Hot Rod Association. After establishing himself as a designer and builder, he founded Foose Design in Pasadena, California and later operated in San Diego County, California; the firm provides concept design, show car fabrication, and licensed design services for manufacturers and media clients. Foose's portfolio includes one-off creations and prototypes showcased at venues like the SEMA Show and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and collaborations that influenced production models and specialty editions from Chevrolet, Ford Motor Company, Dodge, and aftermarket companies such as American Racing, Brodix, and EMPI.

His design language often references mid-20th century American automobiles including cues from the Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang, Cadillac Eldorado, and classic hot rod silhouettes, while applying modern materials and manufacturing techniques used in studios like Pininfarina and Italdesign Giugiaro. Foose has overseen builds that won awards at the Mooneyes shows and custom car contests, and his shop has produced vehicles for corporate clients, celebrity collectors, and cross-promotional projects with brands like Hot Wheels, Mattel, and Disney.

Television and media appearances

Foose rose to broader public prominence through television, most notably as the star of the reality series "Overhaulin'," which aired on TLC and Velocity; the show featured surprise restorations and design-led transformations of customer vehicles. He has appeared on series and specials produced by networks and programs such as MotorTrend, Discovery Channel, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and automotive programs at the Peabody Awards-recognized level. Foose has served as a guest judge at events run by the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association and has been profiled in magazines including Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Road & Track, and Automobile Magazine.

In addition to television, Foose has produced instructional and promotional video content, participated in live demonstrations at conventions such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Los Angeles Auto Show, and contributed to documentary-style programs focusing on custom culture, design process, and automotive history, tying into institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and regional automotive museums.

Awards and recognition

Foose's work has received numerous industry awards and public recognition. He won multiple trophies at the SEMA Battle of the Builders and honors at the Grand National Roadster Show. He received design citations and feature coverage from publications and organizations such as Motor Trend, Hot Rod, Car Craft, and the International Hot Rod Association. Foose was awarded the Edelbrock-sponsored honors and has been acknowledged by aftermarket manufacturers including Holley Performance Products and Edelbrock LLC for collaborative designs. His shop and televised projects contributed to his induction into regional automotive halls of fame and to invitations to exhibit at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and other high-profile concours events.

Personal life

Foose lives in California with his family and is married to Lynne Foose. He maintains ties to the custom-car community in Orange County, California, San Diego County, California, and the greater Los Angeles area; he mentors young designers and collaborates with educational institutions like the ArtCenter College of Design and trade programs at community colleges. Foose participates in charity builds and auctions benefitting organizations such as Make-A-Wish Foundation and automotive scholarship funds, and he continues to consult for designers and manufacturers on concept vehicles and limited-edition projects.

Category:American automobile designers Category:People from Santa Barbara, California Category:1963 births Category:Living people