Folks Of Interest Chip Foose & The '32 Ford

Hello,

Who the heck draws with Sharpie permanent markers? You have to have a steady hand and a finality to your pen lines and designs. Sharpies are to mark things that are permanent, like clear plastic baggies with parts names and locations on them. Other artists and designers use their own medium for the starting point. Joe Martin and Dave Kindig come to mind. But Sharpies in color? That is confidence and a terrific artistic work. Kudos to those artists, designers, and builders.

My wife and I met Sam Foose at his big spread in Santa Barbara a long time ago. We were taken there by Big Hearted Ken, a local Goleta, CA builder and upholstery guy, well known in that area. He thought the local road trip would be fun. (Originally, we went to Project Design in Goleta, in the same industrial complex as Ken’s.) Well, at the big house property, we met the famous, Sam Foose and along comes this little kid around 7-8 years old.

After being introduced to the little kid, he joined in the conversation and was one of the nicest kids we have ever met. (Very well behaved and knowledgeable.) Who knew that he would grow up to live in the OC and become an icon in the hot rod/custom world? Some of his designs aren’t for everyone, but overall, his eye for design and function far surpasses most ordinary eyes. His skill in just about everything automotive is a wonder and envied by all.


Jnaki

Those early road trips to the Goleta/Santa Barbara era were photo trips and the added bonuses popped at different times. "You meet the nicest people..." There is no doubt about it that talent ran in that family. The added bonus was that this area of So Cal was/is one of the best along the California coast.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/finally-back-on-the-phaeton-1934.1119667/#post-12720676

 

Thanks Ryan for sharing the story (Lol) and the video. I've always been a fan, its kool to watch Chip chase perfection.

 

The man can draw his**** off!

 

I don't know, or have ever met him, but it's obvious he lives and breathes cars, and has the ability to put his ideas down perfectly on either paper or with metal.
His success is well earned, he's an****et to our hobby.

 

So let’s all raise a glass to Chip and say “Here’s to a real hot rodder with real talent!”

On another note, the urinal story is rich, gets one to thinking about such things. Would love to tell a story but afraid that would run this tribute thread into the mud. Not sure where those stories belong.

 

How proud Sam must have been. He sure raised that boy right.

 

Some guys have it. A friend of mine could sketch out cars, people and everything in between. It’s something that only some have and with hot rods in his blood it’s a match. Very talented.

 

A really nice guy, just talked to his mom the other day. The last time I talked to Chip he was just back from a European trip , on a flight from Germany I think, a couple recognized him, and asked his name to be sure, they watched his shows. The flight was going to Malta , she was the president, and invited him to dinner at the palace. Pretty well known worldwide.

 

I appreciate his talent.
Envy his artistic ability.
Glad to see one of the worlds good guys do well.
He came over to a car we had at a show to compliment our work. Says a lot about the character of this “TV personality”

 

Like sometimes you do, I couldn’t stop at just “one chip”... I watched the next video too where he restyled the AMC Pacer. “Party on Garth”

 

I agree, all around nice guy. Knowledgeable to the 9th degree.
But recalling a similar story to Ryan's...I had way too much to drink with some L.A friends, and was******** in the trough...
Guy asks me if I'm O.K., turning to face who I thought was Chip Foose, it was Mickey Rooney!
I drink considerably less now.

 

HA !!! Mine was Terry Bradshaw.

He almost got my shoes .. & best description is : visualize his character in Cannonball Run. Thankful, I have quick reflexes.

Back on topic .. "Long live Chip !"

** You too Ryan. In a way, both of y'alls "tastes" .. have become your industry. Feels good, I'll bet. It should !

Insert "thumbs up" icon here . ^^^

 

"You need anything, buddy?"
Thanks for the laugh, Ryan. LOL

Pretty good video. Lots of design details about the venerable Deuce that most of us are aware of. But I did not know about the 20 vs 25 hood side louvers.

A couple of you mentioned how Chip makes a motion or two before he lays down a line. My dad could draw a really good. I'd watch him do the same thing. It's a couple of practice strokes... sort of like the false stroke or two you take with a hammer before you actually hit the center punch.

Of course I agree that Chip Foose is a pleasantly impressive person in many regards.

 

What amazes me, Chip is not only a great artist--he is right in there getting his hands dirty on his show "over hauling". I like that!

 

There are some car the factory got right that need little to no mods


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

And then, there's the Edsel. Design's funny. For every classic-'32 Ford, 55 Chevy, '65 Mustang , there's something terrible (O/T Aztec has to be the worst ever)

 

A Foose post by the founder. It's official, hell has frozen over. Ok, not really but I just had to bust some balls. I think he's a great talent and an ambassador to whole life/industry. I too don't simply embrace everything he does because it's his, and frankly all the greats have missed the mark by a bunch now n then. Variety is the*****e of life but some*****es are like oregano on a peanut*****er and jelly sandwich and just don't belong. I have to say his last statement about a 134" Deuce? Dude, that'll be a miss. It's sure to miss the broad side of a barn actually. Imagine a Deuce as long as an 8' box F-150. Better be for Bonneville...

 

When I was working on Hot Wheels, I paid a visit to GM styling and got a tour of new stuff that was in the works. When we were done, we were*******ed out to the Vice President of Greeting Visitors ( I don't know what his real****le was). He said, "Do you have any questions? Other than 'Why does the Aztec look like that?'"

 

I concur with all the praise for Chip's ability as a designer, a fabricator, a businessman and a personality. One more thing that hasn't been mentioned is his amazing certainty and control when drawing direct and fast with a Sharpie. He has a really masterful level of designer "car control".

 

Love his work. He is a true rodder who takes what our forefathers did to their rods and pushes it a little, sometimes a lot, further and that is traditional in my view. I may not want to own every car he designs but I sure love the ideas portrayed in them all and the artistry captured within the completed vehicles.

 

Years back at the nationals in Louisville, Boyd Coddington was signing autographs and there was a line a 100' long. My wife asked if i wanted to get his autograph, and i said nope, i don't worship them guys lol. He just had this arrogance about him, acting like people should bow down to him for his signature. His wife was acting like she was having a blast though. That same night at the Hilton hotel bar, sitting there having drinks and socializing, my wife asked, "ain't that guy on TV?" I turned around and Chip Foose had came in. There's no way he didn't shake every hand in that bar, told stories, listened to stories, and didn't act any different than any other car guy in the bar. Now that's a true car guy.

 

The stories about Chip being a good guy are true. One year at SEMA it was closing time and everybody was rushing to the exits. We past the booth were Chip was signing autographs, there were only a couple of people left in line and we asked if he had time for two more. Sure. My buddy got a sketch of their '34 Sedan Delivery and I got my '32 Sedan.