File:StarlinerMarconiMuseum.jpg|thumb|The custom 1960 Ford Starliner at the Marconi Automotive Museum, customized by Chip Foose Foose began working on automobiles at age seven for his father's company, Project Design, in
Santa Barbara, California. Encouraged by
Ford and
Tucker Car Corporation designer
Alex Tremulis, Foose started to attend the
Art Center College of Design in 1982; however, he dropped out after two years due to financial difficulties. In 1993, Foose resigned from Sterenberger to work for
J Mays at Ford; however, Coddington was able to convince Foose to work for him, instead. In 1998, with Hot Rods by Boyd facing
bankruptcy (due to the failure of
Boyds Wheels), Foose left his position and with his wife Lynne started his own automotive and product design company. In 2004, the TLC program ''
Overhaulin''' debuted, with Foose as the star. At the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (
SEMA) show, a unique 1969 Foose-designed Camaro convertible was displayed, to be produced in a 300 car run by Unique Performance of Dallas Texas. Press releases announced UP would also be handling the marketing of Foose's other custom car lines, including
Hemisfear, along with Foose's 2006 Mustang Stallion. Foose also designed a paint scheme for 4-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion
Jeff Gordon to promote DuPont's Hot Hues paint line. Foose has since severed ties with DuPont and now promotes the
BASF Glasurit paint line exclusively. In November 2007, Foose officially severed ties to Unique Performance following police action against UP for alleged illegal activities. In 2006, Foose launched a line of
die cast replicas of many of his famous designs partnering with the makers of
Johnny Lightning in the creation of JL Full Throttle. This company produced copies of many of Foose's famous, award-winning designs, including
Grand Master and
Impression. In 2002, Foose won the coveted
Ridler Award at the 50th Anniversary Show of the Detroit Autorama with Bob and Wes Rydell's '35 Chevy Master,
Grandmaster.
Impression subsequently won the prestigious Ridler prize. Also replicated were a number of cars from "Overhaulin'". Announced at the
SEMA show in 2006 was a pact between Foose and
Ford to produce Foose-designed Ford vehicles, the first of which was shown at the 2007 New York Auto Show. In 2007, Foose began limited production (50 vehicles in total) of
Hemisfear. Also known as the Foose Coupe,
Hemisfear was designed by Foose in 1990, during his time at the Art Center, and publicly unveiled at the SEMA trade show in November 2006. An earlier design drawing of
Hemisfear inspired the
Plymouth Prowler. Foose helped to start the
Ridemakerz customizable toy cars business in 2007. As of 2010, Foose continues to operate Foose Design and provide design consultations to the Big Three automakers. He has also built the '32 Ford roadster coupe
Magnatude.
Overhaulin' was canceled at the end of 2009, though reruns still air on
Discovery Turbo. Shortly following the launch of the channel
Velocity, it was announced that the show would return in the fourth quarter of 2012. ==Charity work==