3 Things I’ve Learned About Chip Foose

I’ve just wrapped up a very fun (but hot & tiring) Father’s Day weekend co-hosting a car show at Downtown Disney in Orlando called the “Car Masters Weekend”. Its not a traditional hot rod and custom show, but there are some great rides, and it’s nice to be part of a real family car event right in the middle of Disney World. The other host for the 3rd annual show was none other than Overhaulin’ star and car-builder extraordinaire Chip Foose. Now, I’ve known Chip through our work together on “Cars”-related things for many years, and he’s always been extremely kind, approachable and personal. However, this year the two of us got to spend more time just hanging out and talking car stuff than we ever have before. Despite HUGE crowds of die-hard fans who asked him to take a picture with them, autograph everything and do endless drawings, he just kept on going like the Energizer Bunny. It seems like since his TV show is back on Velocity for a new season, his popularity has only grown ever more. At times it was actually hard to move around with him to even look at cars at the event, but through it all I walked away with a bigger appreciation and a few learnings:

1. Chip may not be know for building traditional hot rods and customs, but he absolutely appreciates and gets them. He looks at every single car or truck he’s building and constantly looks for way to make it better, often changing the smallest details over and over. He loves flatheads, low-buck rods, and slammed lead sleds. It’s not always what he may be building for his customers (he has built some 100% old school rides) but he can fully appreciate any car built really well with a consistant theme that’s carried through the whole vehicle.

2. The man has a great eye for design and problem-solving. Not only can Chip crank out amazing car renderings all day long, he also designs product, paint jobs, and beautiful wheels. Foose works with his hands more than the computer, and  isn’t too important to get dirty building things. He welds, fabricates, assembles and paints everything, and constantly looks for ways to make his customer’s cars better.

3. Success has not gone to his head. Despite having a successful line of wheels, a full time design and car-building business, and hosting a major TV show like Overhaulin’, Chip will talk to *anyone* that asks for a signature or wants to shake his hand. He genuinely cares about people and treats his fans with the upmost respect at all times. Ive never seen a more gracious person with his level of skill and fame. Honestly. I’m proud to call him a friend.