------SPECIAL REPORT------

The man – the legend

WE CAUGHT UP WITH CHIP FOOSE RECENTLY IN AUCKLAND WHERE HE GAVE US A BRIEF INSIGHT INTO HIS BACKGROUND, HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH 3M AND HIS PASSION FOR ALL THINGS CARS.

NCR: With your dad in the industry, even better position and so I decided moment. I had been using my own was it a forgone conclusion that you to give him two years to allow me money to keep the company going, would follow in his footsteps? time to decide what was best for me. but when they went under, I moved on CF: No, not really. I don’t remember I ultimately stayed five years until and was left with $500 in the bank. being introduced to cars, but I fell in Boyd went bankrupt. Foose Design was born. love with them as a young boy. I always I never planned to run my own NCR: How did you find your way onto worked with my dad growing up, but business, but when Boyd went Overhaulin’? I always assumed I end up working for bankrupt, I had some customers who CF: It all began when Jesse James of a car company as a designer. wanted me to build cars for them. Motorcycle Mania fame invited me to When I graduated from the Art However, I wanted to build a platform a meeting with , Centre College of Design, I had 14 job for the business and got it up and who wanted me to co-host a show offers almost immediately. However, running with MHT Wheels, which called Monster Garage, where we ASHA Corporation put me through allowed me to pay the bills whilst would take cars and turn them into school and the agreement I had was I focused on the creative side. things such as lawn mowers and to give them three years after garbage trucks. However, I wanted I graduated, which I did. NCR: Was there a “sliding doors to create “works of art” and not have I was working for Boyd moment” in your early years that defined my brand associated with this type Coddington whilst I was deciding the direction your career would take? of show – so I turned them down. which car company to join – I received CF: There have been many decision- However, Discovery Channel offers from both Volkswagen and Ford points along the journey, but contacted me as they had reviewed – but Boyd Coddington, who I had undoubtedly Boyd going bankrupt my portfolio and wanted to do a show met in my final year, offered me an was, as you say, the sliding doors where we take run down old cars and turn them into something really special. We signed on for seven episodes, which turned into 136 – we really did hit the mark! We’ve now started filming a new series in my shop, where we will have the Foose Design crew and the Overhaulin’ crew working side-by-side. NCR: You have a long-term association with 3M – how did it come about and what makes it so enduring? CF: My dad’s shop was an exclusive 3M shop, so I’ve been exposed to the brand for decades. My dad always told me, “If you want to do your best, use the best,” and he always had the best products he could possibly get. We formed or relationship in 2011 due to a situation in Latin America, where a 3M distributor in Florida was on-selling their lime green 233 Plus Chip Foose 3M’s long-time Ambassador. Tape, which the locals referred to as

30 –SPECIAL REPORT ------SPECIAL REPORT------

Foose Tape, because they had seen down, but hopefully is the design and CF: It’s passion. As I’ve said before, it on Overhaulin'. With the show the craftsmanship. When I design, I do I make a living out of doing something effectively promoting the tape, 3M not want to do anything that’s trendy, that’s really unnecessary. The world and Foose Design began discussions or anything that will date. I aim for doesn’t need another hot rod, but the and formed our alliance. good, timeless design so the car will greatest thing about what we do is Since 2011 it’s been an absolute be beautiful 20 years from now. that it’s 100 percent passion-driven, pleasure and an honour to be and people are willing to pay us to NCR: I watched you do rendering in associated with a company like 3M. create something special or them. Melbourne last year. What gives you the What makes it so enduring is the I go to shows and look at other greatest thrill, designing or building? honesty and transparency in the people’s work and it inspires me to CF: That’s actually a question that relationship. do better. I don’t come across as I often ponder myself. I would go stir- overly competitive, but I am. NCR: Of all the Ridler, AMBR and crazy if all I did was build, and I would Goodguys awards you’ve won or been go crazy if all I did was draw. I love the NCR: So, what does Chip Foose do involved with, which car was the fact that I get to do both. It’s an when he’s not working on cars? greatest challenge? amazing feeling of accomplishment CF: Family – the biggest challenge is CF: Without doubt, the biggest when I design something on paper finding the balance, but whenever I’m challenge was “Imposter”, the ’65 and then build it. When its finished, it not in the shop or on the road, I spend Impala we built for Don Voth, because really is an emotional moment as we time with family. Our most recent trip, the original plan was to build a daily recognise all the hard work that my which was on my wife’s bucket list, drive for his wife. We bought a brand- team and I have put into the project. was an African safari. We just got back new Corvette, peeled the body off and three weeks ago. put the Impala body on top. Midway NCR: You seem to keep coming back through the project, Don decided he to this part of the world – what made NCR: Any final words of wisdom for wanted to take it to Detroit and you decide to come to NZ this time? our readers? compete for the Ridler. Now, this is not CF: Last time I was in New Zealand CF: I want to share something my my usual creation for a Ridler car, as it was 2003, but I’m here on the 2019 dad said to me. “Pay attention to the was built on a standard chassis, and 3M-Foose Tour of New Zealand to details and the big areas will take care I like to create show cars from the coincide with the CRC Speedshow. of themselves – and do it for the ground up. We spent six years on that I don’t know what I’m going to see, but passion, not the money.” car and most of the work is underneath. I’m looking forward to the weekend It’s your reputation that will carry That was the biggest challenge. and really excited about it and I thank further in the industry and all you have NCR: What is it about a Foose- 3M for the opportunity to be here. is your name – your brand. That work designed build that makes it stand out? NCR: What is it that’s kept you doing represents you, so if you’re going to CF: Really difficult for me to pin that what you do for so long? do it, do the best you can do.

Imposter.

The National Collision Repairer – 31