CHIP FOOSE Dream Collection for RIDEMAKERZ

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The greatest designers of them all; Chip Foose!

Me and Chip looking at some of his renderings back in '97.

My name is Richard and I'm from Norway. I have been a big fan of the FOOSE for almost two decades now.
I met chip for the first time back in the early nineties. When he was working for Boyd Coddington at Hot Rods by Boyd. Actually I tried to meet him for the first time in '91 but that was when he and his wife was on a honeymoon. So me and a friend was looking at, if I not remember it wrong, Cadzilla that was pretty much done.
We where not allowed to take any photos of it because Hot Rod Magazine was to take the first shots... :-(


Me and some friends in Chips office at Hot Rods by Boyd '95.
I'm in white...

After finaly meeting Chip in 93 or 94 I was kind'a "hooked". I have been talking to designers like Thom Taylor (at his house in Laguna Hills, CA) and Steve Stanford (Met him at Pete Santinis place, Santini Paint and Body in Westminster, CA) but Chip was the best...
After this I have met him and talked with him several times. A friend of mine from Norway worked for Chip at Boyds place and at FOOSE design. So when I was visiting my friend Robin Hermansen I talked to Chip too offcourse.


Me and my friend Robin Hermansen outside HRbB '97

On this blogg I will try to put up pictures, both mine and others. And stories I find on the net. The Foose is loose...

Video from Fast Lane Daily

Ashley Van Dyke over at the Lane that's Fast and Daily had a chit-chat today with Chip Foose where she doesn't even ask him what his promotional gameplan for Foosical: The Musical will be. Today's episode also includes a interview of Alex Zanardi by a man who's head is bald like a Gumball, has a last name of Roy and didn't play goalie for Montreal.

Chip Foose looking to build new Duesenberg with Metalcrafters

[UPDATE: It's not a done deal, just a what-if scenario fielded by Mr. Foose in an Automotive News piece] Word from Automotive News is that custom-car impresario Chip Foose could be plotting to revive the Duesenberg name -- once synonymous with robber-baron luxury -- with SoCal concept-car builder Metalcrafters. The plan would be to produce a limited run of 50 of the elaborately appointed luxo-customs -- rodded out with open wheels. Buyers will likely have to shell out upward of $299,000 -- the price of a Foose Coupe -- for said Foosenburg. We're not sure if such a revival would affect alternate plans by Minnesota's own Duesenberg Custom Coach, which has been fielding plans for the new Duesenberg Torpedo Coupe (see image) -- powered by a novel, rotating powerplant derived from a firefighting waterpump. Either way, it's good to be a mutton-chomping, multichinned fat cat these days

FOOSE flexes his Ford Muscles!

Just for SEMA, Ford's let two designers have their way with their new people mover, the Ford Flex. First up is none other than the star of "Foosical: The Musical," Chip Foose. He's put his personal touch on the Flex by dropping Foose Design 22-inch wheels on the feet, and Eibach springs customized for "a lower appearance," and a custom-mixed, tow-tone blue and cream pearl paint job. It's the Foose Flexy, kiddies -- all the same "great" looks of the Flex, with absolutely no performance upgrades. Yup, enjoy -- or something.



FORD DESIGN PARTNERS 'FLEX' THEIR MUSCLES, CUSTOMIZING SEGMENT-BUSTING NEW PRODUCT
* Two top customizers treat the all-new 2009 Ford Flex sheet metal as their canvas, highlighting the vehicle's diverse aftermarket appeal and potential.
* A Chip Foose-designed Flex defines suburban luxury.
* Funkmaster Flex showcases urban luxury with his modified Flex2.

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 30 - Courtesy of customizing legends Chip Foose and Funkmaster Flex, the 2009 Ford Flex sports two distinct new looks at this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.

Ahead of Flex's arrival in dealerships next summer, Ford tapped the duo to help customers start dreaming about the customization options this all-new vehicle brings.

"The Ford Flex elicits emotional responses from people unlike any vehicle in recent memory, yet customers have distinct interpretations of how the Flex can fit into their lifestyle," says Kate Pearce, Ford Flex marketing plans manager. "Bringing Flex to SEMA before the production vehicle's launch gives us an opportunity to explore the endless possibilities within the world of customization - and to help further broaden the vehicle's strong appeal."

Funkmaster Flex and Foose each have taken a unique approach in customizing their vehicle, yet both remain true to the Flex's core design while providing their take on the latest luxury trends. Foose focuses on what he sees in suburban styling, while Funkmaster Flex brings the hottest in urban influence to his project.

Flex2 designed by Funkmaster Flex

Hip Hop guru of car customization Funkmaster Flex brings his vision of urban luxury to Ford's newest crossover with the Flex2. His signature two-tone paint scheme is integrated cleverly into the Flex2 through a House of Kolor Kandy custom paint job that features a Brandywine body color and a unique faux-brushed aluminum roof. Flex2's exterior design is further enhanced by custom 3dCarbon accents including fender vents, upper and lower grilles and a rear upper spoiler.

The all-black leather interior features Katzkin custom seat covers with alligator print inserts and stainless steel color stitching on the seats and interior trim. To keep the party going inside the vehicle, Funkmaster Flex added two Invision headrest-mounted DVD systems in the first and second rows, along with a JL Audio 12-inch subwoofer and amplifier to enhance the tunes.

Flex2 rolls on custom 22-inch NC Forged wheels and Cooper Zeon XST tires. With a 1-inch lowered suspension and Borla dual rolled exhaust tips, Flex2 is an urban legend in the making.

"I know what this vehicle is going to be in the urban market: It's going to be killer!" says Funkmaster Flex. "Whether you're flossin' with your friends, going to the club or riding around with your girl, the Ford Flex is the next urban street vehicle, and Flex2 is my interpretation of the ultimate in street luxury."

2009 Ford Flex designed by Chip Foose

Star of Overhaulin' and the hottest custom car designer on the scene, Foose gave the Flex a look of contemporary suburban luxury that accentuates its already stand-out good looks.

Riding on Foose Design 22-inch wheels and Eibach springs customized for a lower appearance, the Foose Flex exterior features a custom-mixed, tow-tone blue and cream pearl paint job.

Inside, this color scheme continues with three-tone blue, gray and tan premium leather surfaces by Katzkin Leather.

Custom front and rear fascias and rocker panels are complemented by a custom wrap-around chrome beltline. Additional exterior details include painted appliqué door handles and a relocated license plate. With custom upper and lower grilles and bold FORD lettering across the front and rear, the Foose Flex reflects the right amount of expressive luxury appeal.

"When Ford called, I was quite excited to be one of the first to get my hands on the Flex," says Foose. "I didn't want the individual pieces I added to be the most eye-catching parts. I wanted it to look as if it came from Ford's design studio."

Ford Flex

The 2009 Ford Flex is set to redefine the modern American journey when it goes on sale in summer 2008. This vehicle sets a higher standard for style, features, functionality and comfort in the industry's fastest-growing crossover segment.

The 2009 Flex will come straight from the factory with several key features and technologies, including:

* Two-tone roof - An all-black greenhouse - a Ford first - that visually integrates the body with the available two-tone roof. Customers can pair a White Suede or Silver roof option with one of Flex's 10 available exterior colors or choose a body-color roof.
* High-tech lighting - Available HID headlamps and LED taillamps, plus 7-color programmable ambient lighting in the console, footwells and cupholders.
* Available refrigerator - Unlike competitors' systems that merely keep cold beverages cool, the Flex's compressor-driven refrigerator can cool up to seven 12-ounce cans, four half-liter bottles or two 20-ounce bottles from room temperature to 41 degrees in approximately two-and-a-half hours. That's 40 percent faster than a standard home refrigerator.
* Multi-Panel Vista Roof™ - It not only brightens the interior, it gives Flex occupants seated in each row their own skylight.
* EasyFuel™ System - Flex's capless fuel filler saves time by doing away with unscrewing and replacing a fuel-filler cap and provides a better seal, cutting down the emissions of smog-forming vapors.
* Ford SYNC™, Ford's industry-exclusive, voice-activated hands-free in-car communications and entertainment system. This available system fully integrates mobile phones and digital media players into the vehicle.

The SYNC in-car communications system was developed in collaboration with Microsoft and will be offered exclusively on Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles this year.
* Big wheels - Standard 18-inch or available 19-inch bright aluminum wheels that plant the crossover firmly on the road.
* Ford's exclusive second-generation door-entry keypad - Housed within the vehicle's black B pillars, the flat-panel, backlit keypad eliminates the need for door-mounted buttons and gives customers the ability to unlock doors, disarm the alarm system and disable the auto-lock function by entering a five-digit code.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 260,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com

Foose cuts all ties with Unique Performance

FOOSE DESIGN TERMINATES ALL LICENSING AND BUSINESS ACTIVITIES WITH UNIQUE PERFORMANCE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (Nov. 9, 2007) - Foose Design announced today that effective immediately it has terminated all licensing and all business activities with Texas-based Unique Performance, Unique Performance Concepts and related companies. This termination includes the limited production of all vehicles formerly licensed to Unique including but not limited to, the Foose Mustang Stallion, Foose Camaro, Foose Challenger, Foose Motorcycle and the sales and marketing of the "Hemisfear", also known as the "Foose Coupe", manufactured by Metalcrafters. Foose Design has clearly stated that it no longer has any affiliation with Unique, and encourages customers to understand that Unique no longer has any rights to Foose intellectual property, the Foose name, image, likeness, logos or designs regarding any project.

Chip Foose, the winner of an unrivaled three "Ridler" Awards, and the Foose Design team have worked for more than eight months to resolve issues relative to Unique's problems but ultimately found it necessary to sever their relationship with Unique Performance.

Foose Design does not manufacture production vehicles rather it specializes in designing and fabricating custom built, one-of-a-kind custom cars. Foose Design created the concept for a prototype vehicle to be built under its license to Unique.

Chip Foose builds a special bond with every Foose vehicle owner and it causes him great stress to see this situation occur. Chip has worked tirelessly through the years to build his company, brand and image, which it works diligently to protect, both for itself and Chip's collectors and fans.

Foose Design is working with its legal staff to consider possible action against Unique Performance

SEMA show 2007

My friend Remi and I went to the SEMA show il Las Vegas this november. We did'nt get the chance to talk to the Chip'ster but we spotted him every now and then. Of course we saw him at the Overhaulin' tent.


Here I am with this years Overhaulin' build!




Here's a picture of how the was when they started. It was kustomized in one week...



Here's Chip's rendering...




Here's Chip and the car after a few days...













Here I am with the pinstriper Chip use on Overhaulin'























Chip and Chris the host of Overhaulin' signing at SEMA! I was in line for getting autographs but all of a suden they stopped. that was a big bummer. Close but no sigar...






Remi and me with Charley Hutton! The great painter from Overhaulin' and ex Boyd....








Here's me and another big car builder! The one and only Troy Trepanier! Great guy!!

Foose interview on SEMA 2007

Jay Leno & Chip Foose Interview

Foose on FOOSE!

In a relatively short career, I have created a legacy of designs and accomplishments that are well beyond my years. I was born and raised in Santa Barbara California and automobiles were definitely in my blood. My first job was working for my father's company where I specialized in project design. By age twelve, I already had five years experience under my belt, and had also painted my first car; a Porsche 356. Early on, a chance meeting from Alex Tremulus, the designer of the "Tucker", was actually my motivation to attend Art Center, where I majored in automotive product design and graduated in 1990 with honors. My career profile is staggering; in 1986 I was Staff Designer/ Fabricator for the Asha Corporation, eventually becoming director of design in 1989. I was responsible for conceptualizing new proprietary ideas and fabrication of prototypes for the O.E.M.'s Other work has included: Stehrenberger Design as an automotive designer, creating colored illustrations and conceptual models, Baker Sportronics, as chief designer and fabricator of both models and prototypes of electric vehicles to be used in the NFL and NBL, and of course, going to work with my father and Project Design, designing and building street rods, customs, studio vehicles and show cars for films such as Blade Runner, Robo Cop, and Gone in 60 Seconds, which featured "Elinor". November 1990 brought about the beginning of a relationship with Boyd Coddington and Hot Rods by Boyd, becoming a full time position in 1993, which lead to Managing Director where I eventually became the President of Hot Rods by Boyd. Also i am widely acclaimed for my "Boyd Look" design and creative skills, was responsible for many internationally known vehicles such as: Roadster, Sportstar, Boydster I and II, and Boyd Air to name a few. My venture with Boyd however, ended in 1998. At this time me and my wife Lynne started our Huntington Beach, California based company Foose Design, an automotive and product design Development Company. My company specializes in illustration, graphics, ideation model making, surfacing and complete construction of automobiles and automotive related products. These products are available to private individuals, television, film and the automobile manufactures. In November of 1997, I was inducted into the Hot Rod Hall of Fame at Peterson Publishing's 50th anniversary held at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada. This induction made history for me, being the youngest member ever inducted into the Hot Rod Hall of Fame at the age of 31. In 1998, I was honored at the SMRA banquet and was the first recipient of the Good Guys Trendsetter Award, once again creating another historic moment in the Hot Rod industry. In 1999, I won the prestigious AMBR (America's Most Beautiful Roadster) Award at the 50th Anniversary of the Grand National Roadster Show with Fred Warren's "Shock Wave". Similarly, in 2000 I won the AMBR again with Chuck Svatos' "0032". Overall, I have been involved with six different AMBR winners, including the 1995 winner the "Smoothster", the 1996 winner "Boydster", the 2001 winner "Impact" (designed by me and finished by Barry White), and the 2003 winner "Boydster II' (designed by me and finished by Bobby Alloway). The new millennium also meant new endeavors for me. In January of 2000 I signed a licensing agreement with MHT Luxury Alloys, allowing me to start the production of Foose Wheels. The Millennium was proving to be quite prosperous. I won the coveted 2002 "Ridler" Award at the 50th Anniversary Show of the Detroit Autorama with Bob and Wes Rydell's 35 Chevy Master, otherwise known as the "Grand Master". The year of 2002 was very exciting for me as I was inducted into the Darryl Starbird Rod & Custom Car Museum Hall of Fame. The end of the year closed with a bang for me and my highly acclaimed staff at Foose Design when the Discovery Channel filmed a documentary, which aired repetitively on the TLC network in March of 2003. The documentary featured several of my award winning vehicles, but the show's focus was to give the viewers a chance to witness my visionary talents come to life with a re-design of the 2002 Thunderbird. The redesigned Thunderbird otherwise known as the "Speedbird" received another award for me, as it made its debut at the 2002 SEMA show in Las Vegas, where I was presented the "Best of Show" award from Ford Motor Company. The year 2003 was equally exciting for me. I was honored once again with an induction into the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame. This year was filled with enthusiasm, especially when I received a second "Ridler" award at the Detroit Autorama, which featured Ron Whitesides 34' Mercury Stallion. 2003 came to its pinnacle when I embarked upon a new venture, designing clothing and accessories featuring many of his award winning cars. Throughout the course of my career I have been honored to receive the Good Guys Street Rod of the Year Award seven times, and my cars include: 1990 a 32 two door sedan, 1991 a 29 two door sedan and 40 delivery for Dick Mattiolli, 1995 a three window coupe for Bud Simes, 1997 a 39 Chevy Coupe built by Troy Trepanior of "Rad Ride by Troy" named the "Predator", 1999 a 54 belvedere also built by troy at "Rad Ride by Troy" named the "Sniper", and last but not least, in 2001 I received the Good Guys Street Rod of the Year Award featuring the "Grand Master". 2004 proved to be as exhilarating as the past years, I have started a television series called "Overhaulin", which began airing on the TLC network late April of 2004, please check your local programming for details. 2005 opened with me being inducted into the San Francisco Rod and Custom Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Me and my wife Lynne reside in Southern California with our two children, son Brock; born September 1st 1999, and daughter Katie; born February 16th 2004.

The HemisFear sold!

The HeimisFear was sold a Barret-Jackson for $330.000,- !!




















INAUGURAL PUBLIC SALE OF THE HIGH-POWERED FOOSE COUPE TO TAKE PLACE AT THE BARRETT-JACKSON PALM BEACH AUCTION
Palm Beach, Fla. - March 13, 2007 - Rights to the first Foose Coupe available to the public will be sold at No Reserve during the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event from March 28-April 1, 2007, in Palm Beach, Fla. Penned by renowned designer Chip Foose, the Foose Coupe is the ultimate super car, muscle car and hot rod combination. On Wednesday, March 28, Barrett-Jackson and Unique Performance will unveil the Foose Coupe to the Palm Beach audience during the Opening Night Gala. The fifth annual Palm Beach event will feature over 600 of the world's most exclusive collector automobiles, approximately 100 lifestyle vendors and 17 hours of coverage on speed.
"Chip Foose has rocked the automotive industry with another groundbreaking design, and we're thrilled that he has chosen to unleash it at the Barrett-Jackson auction," said Craig Jackson, CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. "From the outrageous carbon fiber body to its Indy car-like chassis, this hot rod is unmistakably Foose. And with only 50 of these open wheeled, hot rod-esque cars available to the public, the winning bidder is assured exclusivity."
The Foose Coupe's elite carbon fiber monocoque cabin is mated to a modular steel space frame and planted to the pavement with a suspension by Hotchkis, Koni coil-over shock absorbers and a 6-piston Baer Brake system. The mid-engined coupe is powered by a Mopar Hemi V8 engine, capable of an estimated 550 horsepower and 520 pounds of torque. All Foose Coupes will be constructed by MetalCrafters, Inc. and available through Unique Performance.
Additional standard accessories include air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with remote, illuminated push button start, tilt steering column, billet steering wheel, billet pedals, optional exposed carbon fiber interior trim, leather seats and interior surfaces. The car also features retractable door and rear quarter glass, optional glass roof, hidden exterior door release, LED exterior lighting, pistol grip shifter, side view mirror-mounted turn signals and custom 18-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) Pirelli tires.
"I've had this car in my sketch book for years," said Foose. "I originally designed it in 1990 when I was a student at Art Center College of Design, as a project to respond to a niche market; instead, it created a market of its own. People often ask me to describe my dream car, and the Foose Coupe is my answer. It's a 16-year dream that has become a reality."
The prototype, which debuted in October 2006 at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, will be prominently displayed throughout the event. The winning bidder will receive a personal consultation with Foose at his Huntington Beach, Calif., build shop to select specific interior and exterior schemes and colors. The final car will be delivered within 16 weeks of the sale.
"The winning bidder of the Foose Coupe will be buying an automotive masterpiece and an experience of a lifetime," added Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. "Not only will he or she receive the first model available to the public, they will also get to interact with Chip and choose their modifications with the master himself."
Barrett-Jackson continually reaffirms its leadership position in the collector car market by elevating consignment standards, challenging annual records and serving as the barometer for market trends. Last year, more than 275,000 attendees and millions of television viewers from around the world witnessed over 1,600 cars being auctioned off for approximately $135 million at the two 2006 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Events held in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Palm Beach, Fla.


Oh I wish it was me...

Foose Coupe!!

I was there!!

Mothers Ad!

Courtney Hansen!!

Say no more...

Overhaulin' theme!

Cars That Tell a Story, by Design

Cars That Tell a Story, by Design

Each one of Chip Foose's vehicles has a unique inspiration. An exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum puts it all in context

People tend to look back on their lives as if composed of periods: my college years, my 20s in San Francisco, my first marriage. Chip Foose is no different, though he defines those periods by cars. "All of the cars that I have worked on represent a block of time in my life," says the 41-year-old custom car designer, hot rod fabricator, and creative force behind Foose Design. "There is a story or memory behind each of them."
Foose's stable of award-winning creations include modern interpretations of timeless classics, many hand-built from the ground up, all of which will be brought together for the first time at Chip Foose: From Pen to Pavement, an exhibition that opened at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles on Mar. 25.
Visitors will be able to see cars such as the Impression, a coupe inspired by the styling of a '36 Ford, and 1930s European models that won the 2006 America's Most Beautiful Roadster Award. "Almost every piece is hand made, fabricated from scratch", says Foose of the Impression, which has one-of-a-kind wheels and a skin of formed sheet metal.
AUTO ART. The fleet of cars will be displayed along with full-scale plywood frames, sketches, and clay models that break down Foose's creative process and fabrication methods. The effect is an exhibit that educates, entertains, and enlightens.
"I went digging through my archives and cleaned up the clay models and molds in order to show how a car is started and finished," says Foose. "I don't consider these relics of individual design steps to be art; they are tools that lead to the final product." It's the finished car, he says, that is the art.
Without a doubt, the vehicles that roll out of Foose's Huntington Beach, Calif., shop are a notch above most other customs. The Foose team -- which stars in the TLC reality television show Overhaulin' -- excels at illustration, graphics, ideation, modelmaking, surfacing, and the complete construction of automobiles and related products.
IN THE GENES. Foose cars can be compared to the classic autos shown at events like the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and indeed, Foose would like to see his creations displayed there. "My cars consist of all original fabrication, just like the coveted antique models did back then," he says. "And since most of the pristine examples at Concours d'Elegance shows are completely restored, there is almost no difference between what I make now and what the antiques have turned into after the restoration process."
Foose started drawing when he was just three years old, and at seven started going to work with his father, Sam Foose, a hot-rod legend in his own right. "All of my interest is based on my childhood experiences in the shop with my dad," recalls Foose. Years later, Foose attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif., studying alongside J Mays and Chris Bangle, now chief designers at Ford (F) and BMW, respectively.
At one time, Foose was almost lured to Ford himself. "It would have been a career, not a lifestyle," says the designer, who enjoys the personal side of creating cars for specific people and seeing those cars 5, 10, and even 20 years later at shows and industry events.
ACROSS ERAS. Foose is better off on his own, and not just because he believes cars should be made to last instead of conforming to the industry-standard five-year product lifecycle. Within the corporate world of the Big Three, a designer's creativity must co-exist with red tape, cost-cutting, and marketing trends. "I never really look at trends," says Foose. "Our cars take years to build, and if I worry about trends, I am not being true to myself."
What is impressive about the body of work on show at the Petersen Museum is its originality and breadth. Foose claims not to have a favorite era of car design, saying that "different elements of each time period are integrated into my designs." It's worth noting, of course, that Foose enjoys a high level of design freedom because he doesn't have to move 50,000 units. "A car needs to fit the individual who owns it," he says. "If they like what I have created for them, then I have done my job."
The designer wouldn't mind working more closely with the big auto makers, though. "I would like to see a brand like Lincoln or Cadillac collaborate with well-know coach builders to create and sell unique, high-end rolling chassis that sell without a body, like the French brands [Bugatti, Talbot-Lago, etc.] used to do," he says. "Let's bring some classy brands back into prominence, like the good old days."
Schwartzapfel, a certified car freak, writes BusinessWeek Online's "Concept of the Week" column. He has studied the automotive marketplace and worked as an advertising/marketing strategist for major manufacturers. He does not write about any car brands for which he currently works

Foose Design and Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters Shop Tour

Design and Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters Shop Tour

Chip Foose & Unique Performance Build Limited Edition HEMI-Powered ’70’s Plymouth Challengers















SO WHAT if gas prices are breaking one record after another, if people want muscle cars, then that’s what they’ll get. Just a few months after Chrysler’s Challenger Concept came to life, Chip Foose & Unique Performance announced their plans to unveil a limited edition run of a "Foosed up" 1970’s Plymouth Challenger. Equipped with the iconic Hemi V8 and a 5 speed Auto trans, the Foose (re)designed classic Challenger will be shown to public on June 15th, with production following next month.
Press Release: A new line of limited edition supercars based on the 1970 HEMI Challenger from Unique Performance and Foose Design will stoke the imaginations of MOPAR fans worldwide. The two companies will turn a limited number of the Plymouths into world-class performance machines with ultra-cool design and 21st century speed technology. The prototype will be completed by June 15, 2006, and production will begin in July. Unique Performance is the premier manufacturer of signature series American muscle cars, trucks and motorcycles.
“The response to our Foose ’69 Camaro was fantastic, which led to an outpouring of requests for a similar car from MOPAR fans,” said Unique Performance President and CEO Douglas Hasty. “Our 1970 Challenger program is designed to fulfill those wishes with a very, very small run of an even more exclusive MOPAR. Working with Chip, our team will turn a handful of these vintage muscle cars into pink slip winning, Z06 eating supercars.”
The team will transform 1970 and 1971 Challengers with contemporary wheels, engines, suspensions, transmissions and interiors. Each Foose Challenger will be clad in DuPont’s Hot Hues™ custom finish and have a sleek custom interior. Either a 347 c.i.d. HEMI small block or a 426 c.i.d HEMI big block can be mated to the TKO 5-speed transmission. The car will feature a Unique Performance Parts rear suspension, 4-wheel disc Wilwood Brakes, Foose 18” wheels and BF Goodrich tires. Styling cues include Foose emblems, a custom front grill, shaved bumpers and custom hood. Each car will have a unique serial number for documentation purposes.
“I’ve always loved the lines of the ’70 Challenger,” stated Chip Foose. “It may be the quintessential American muscle car from that period. We’re adding contemporary speed gear and updating the Challenger’s style to redefine the vintage car as the ultimate limited edition MOPAR.”
Award-winning Chip Foose penned the Foose Challenger. He is the creative head and driving force behind the respected automotive and product development company Foose Design. Headquartered in Huntington Beach, Calif., it specializes in illustration, graphics, ideation model making, surfacing and complete construction of automobiles and automobile-related products.
“Nobody does it better than Unique Performance and Chip Foose,” added Hasty. “Every car is a piece of art that is equally at home on the track, street or a Concours. With sizzling design and supercar capabilities, the new HEMI powered Foose Challenger will rocket past the pretenders on the road. It’s the ‘bad to the bone’ MOPAR that fans have wanted for the last 35 years.”

21 Questions with Chip Foose brought to you by: JL Full Throttle

It's an honor to talk with the folks at Joes Diecast Shack. I always enjoy talking to the fans of the show and my work. This has been a really exciting time creating the new Foose diecas tline with the JL Full Throttle Team. It's a dream come true for me to be able to share replicas of my designs with my son and my fans.

On to the questions:

On your show Overhaulin', how do you get the cooperation of the local authorities when you "steal" the cars? Has there been an occasion when you stole a car and the owner called the police?

Chip: In the early episodes of Overhaulin, Yes, they were reported to the police, and it took some "fast talking" to set things straight. Now, we've made friends with most of the local authorities and the various police departments work with us and have a lot of fun with the show.

2. Is there any chance you are going to take your show (Overhaulin') on the road? Into other states, so your fans outside of California might get to see a car, Overhauled?

Chip: Our original plan was to take the show on the road in Season One and Two. Between Seasons Two and Three, Discovery Channel took ownership of the show and decided to keep the "steals" to Southern California, but we are planning several shows where we will be traveling to different states in the near future. I can't tell you where yet, but we'll be knocking on people's doors saying "Your car's going to get Overhauled!"

3. Ever consider doing a Big Rig on the show?

Chip: My original intent for Overhaulin' was to take cars, boats, planes, motorcycles, and transportation in general, but since there were other shows with motorcycles and trucks as the subject, the show was limited to cars. I'd love to overhaul a big rig - it would be a huge job, but I'd love to do it someday.

4. Have you ever been asked to do a '57 Ford F100 on Overhaulin? They are kind of an "ugly duckling", but when built right they look as awesome as any 56!

Chip: Discovery Channel does the final picks, and if they choose a 57 on the show - and I believe a 57 has been submitted, I'll be glad to overhaul it.

Editor's Note: All cars are picked by Discovery Channel / TLC. They must all be submitted through overhaulin.com

5. About the die-cast, are there plans to take all of the actual cars and shrink them down to diecast size? Some of them are absolute dreams. Especially the Comet Convertible. Not just because it was the car I rode home from the hospital in after I was born...

Chip: As long as collectors keep buying the line, we'll keep on making them! So, keep on buying them and we'll bring your favorite one to ya'!

Editor's Note: The JLFT Team has many new models comingKeep checking out Joes as well as JLFULLTHROTTLE.com and myspace.com/jlfullthrottle

6. Will your 56 Ford F-100 Truck, The '56 Nomad, the ford Model A hot rod or even Bud's own 69 Mustang make it into the line

Chip: Of course, I'd like to see all of those cars recreated in the die-cast line, but if they aren't, there are still a lot of dream vehicles that can be built and while we're at it, hopefully make a lot of people's dreams come true.

Editor's Note: The '56 Nomad is on it's way and at least one of the others exists in an early production stage!

7. Have any of the big name auto companies approached you yet, to do a "Foose" model of a production car? Is this something you would be interested in or are you more interested in smaller 1 on 1 projects?

Chip: I am in negotiations with several OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) - can't tell you who at this point - to create a special project. One OE is getting serious about an entire lineup of vehicles. I'll know soon.

8. There are a bunch of guys who'd like to see more rubber and smaller wheels and an equal number who like 'em large. At the shack we always get a few hard questions, So tell your fans about how you choose your wheels and tires.

Chip: It's all about proportions to me. I think small wheels make the body look smaller, but that's ok if you're trying to hit a specific era. Technology has allowed us to go forward, and there's no question that a larger diameter wheel makes the vehicle drive and ride better, plus, I think the larger wheels look a lot cooler.

9. What about White Walls and do you dig "Rat Rods"?

Chip: White walls are very cool and I really like rat rods. If fact, I'm building one now called P-32 which will be in die-cast. It's an extreme rat rod based on the theme of WWII war birds such as the P-38. It will be debuting at this year's SEMA. It's something that I've been dreaming about for 11 years, and finally found the parts to build it.

Editors Note: On Overhaulin', Chip has used white walls on 2 vehicles, can you name them?

10. What custom elements define a Hot Rod for you? What makes the car more than just "customized" and What takes a car to the "next level"?

Chip: I like to say there are no rules in hot-rodding. I can't tell you what elements make a hot rod, so it's whatever you do and as soon as you personalize a car - that's what makes it a hot rod to me. It's not that I'm not interested in the performance aspect, what's important to me is how it looks proportionally. For me, the starting point is wheels, tires and stance. If you get a car down with those three elements, it looks like a hot rod. It could be completely stock underneath. So again, the minute you set rules, you put an end to something. You always have to keep your mind open to new ideas.

11. What is your everyday driver? Is it something you've created or something driven straight off the lot?

Chip: My everyday driver is an '05 Ford F150 which is available in diecast now. It's been a fun vehicle. We hand-built chrome moldings, did the bigger wheels and tires, narrowed the rear bumpers, lifted the front bumpers. I also have a '69 Camaro and my '02 T-Bird I call the Speedbird. It has a little speedster-type one-piece wrap around 9" tall windshield.

Editors Note: The Speedbird was featured on the very first episode of Rides. You may still catch it in reruns on TLC.

12. What is your favorite car that you've created or Overhauled?

Chip: My favorite car is always my next one. The are two reason for that answer: First, is that it keeps us excited for what's coming up and secondly, it keeps people from being offended and no one says, "Well why isn't my car your favorite?". I love all of them.

13. Do you have a favorite rare car or dream car?

Chip: I can't say that I do. I'm a fool for cars and I fall in love with what's in front of me...cars only!

14. Chip, I'm a bit of a Mopar fan,, so here goes; What's your favorite from Chrysler Corp. that you HAVEN'T done?

Chip: You're going to see the JL Full Throttle Hemisfear shortly) and that will be my favorite Mopar, and I hope it will be the favorite of a lot of Mopar fans too.

Editors Note: Check out JLFULLTHROTTLE.com to get the full story and behinds the scenes epics and video of the creation of the JLFT Hemisfear. It will be making it's world premier on October 31st at SEMA in Las Vegas!

15. Have you ever done or are you ever planning to do a '49 Merc

Chip: Yes. I have worked on a few '49 Mercs and I'm working on a proposal for a celebrity right now that could be a real fun project using late-model Mercedes Benz parts with a V12 in the Merc in the coolest Merc you could build. Could be a two-seater because the celebrity is VERY tall. That's all I'm saying!

16. What about some early Chrysler cars like those from the 30's 40's and 50's?

Chip: I still think the '70 Cuda is one of the coolest Chryslers ever built as well as the early Belvederes and Imperials - just some outstanding design work done back then. I've also got some cool vehicle coming up that is inspired by the 50's Chryslers.

17. And lastly on the car questions, I have a soft spot for the old economy cars from the early and mid 70's. have you every thought about doing up an old Gremlin, Vega, Pinto, Maverick or even one of the old rear drive Datsuns or Toyotas?

Chip: I really want to do a Pinto on Overhaulin'. I think it would also be a lot of fun to do a Gremlin, or Pacer or some of these crazy cars we remember as kids.

18. What is the process someone would need to follow to get you to draw a design idea for a vehicle (in this case a '68 GMC Truck, late 60's early 70's Australian Ford Falcon). Many people would love to try and build one of your designs


Chip: I used to do a lot of drawing for people on the outside, but I've been so busy with Overhaulin' and the JL Full Throttle die-cast line and other projects that I'm no longer taking any outside design work because I have no time to do so. Now that I have two kids, I'm devoting time to them, so I'm telling everyone no artwork until I'm finished with the TV show.

19. How old were you when you started customizing/designing cars?

Chip: I sat next to my father when I was three years old and copied whatever he was drawing - not too many people know he's an artist as well - until I was actually drawing better that he was and he just let me take over when I was about 17 year old. I still sit down with my dad when I'm drawing with him and we go over things together and as a team we come up with some cool things. When I was seven, I was going to the shop and building with him and to this day my dad still is my hero. He has more skills and fabrication talent than anybody I know and I still learn a lot from him.

20. What types of toy cars did you play with as a kid and did they influence your line of work today?

Chip: When I was a kid, my dad worked for AMT model kits and a lot of cars they built were for model kits or as Hot Wheels. I remember him driving the real cars home then bringing the models of the cars home and I'd play with those. When I worked at Boyd's, it was a continuation of my childhood and at the time, Boyd was building the coolest cars on the planet and I said to Boyd "we've got to make these into models or die-cast" and I got in touch with Larry Wood and he started to build a few. Now, with RC2 and JL Full Throttle building the Foose cars, it's really a dream come true and I can't tell you how wonderful it is to come home and hand them to MY son. That's a real continuation of my childhood.

21. Do you still have any of them today?

Chip: I still have most of my toy cars from my childhood.

22. Does your son have a passion for Cars? Real ones or Toys?

Chip: My son seems to have a passion for cars - the real one as well as the toys, and dinosaurs too! Brock is a super-creative kid and he gets me to draw dinosaurs driving cars. So if you ever see that combination in die-cast, you'll know where that idea came from!

23. Have you ever been into collecting die-cast cars?

Chip: Yes I have been and I still do. I have a TON of die-cast. The one thing I've always done is to tear open my die-cast and play with them - even though everyone says to leave them in the package. Mine are all scratched up!

24. You built a life size car based on a scale model once, is there any other fantasy car (or real car even) that you would love to try your hand at? What catches your imagination?

Editor: Oops! Between a number of phone calls Chip needed to answer, and
Foose's busy shop activity, this question got lost in the shuffle. Sorry!

25. What excites you about your line of die-cast from JL Full Throttle? What part(s) of the process do you enjoy/work on.


Chip: Building new friendships. That's the coolest thing for me. I'm having a lot of fun doing this. With this line, we're doing cars that are real, and in the future, we'll be building cool dream cars that are really exciting. The JL Full Throttle team and I work together sometimes I say, "Yeah, let's do that", or sometimes I say "let's try this". It's all a part of the process that makes it a lot of fun.

26. Artwork, Many of the fans asked about your artwork please answer these questions about your incredible skills:

a: Do you do a drawing for every car?

Chip: Yes. . I don't think of my drawings as art, but merely a tool to build the art, which is the real car.

b. How long does it actually take to do a drawing like those we see on Overhaulin'?

Chip: Most of the Overhaulin' cars are quick, an hour and a half to two hours. The originals belong to my son!

c. What kinds of materials do you use in your work, paper, pens, pencils, markers etc.

Chip: Whatever I can find. The majority of my art tools are maker paper, ad markers, colored pencils, gauche, and whatever it takes to make it look like a real car.

d. Is your artwork available to the public? If so where can we get it and can we get it with the die-cast cars?

Chip: That's very possible to do and we'll be looking into this. In the meantime, some of the prints are available at FooseDesign.com.

That's all the time we had with Mr. Foose!

Chip: Enjoy collecting and hopefully, we'll keep bringing out things you'll enjoy! This all comes to you from JL Full Throttle and Joesdiecastshack.com!

WATCH the complete video-taped interview with Chip, soon to be posted on www.JLFullThrottle.com!

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