Podcast Summary: The Smoking Tire – Episode Featuring Chip Foose

Release Date: May 1, 2025

Hosts: Matt Farah and Zack Klapman

Introduction to Chip Foose

In this episode of The Smoking Tire, hosts Matt Farah and Zack Klapman welcome automotive legend Chip Foose to the studio. With an illustrious career spanning nearly five decades, Chip is renowned for designing hundreds of custom cars, winning multiple Riddler Awards, and being named "Builder of the Decade" by the Grand National Roadster Show.

Matt Farah [00:02]:
"This guy has built hundreds and hundreds of cars. He has multiple Riddler Awards, multiple Grand National Roadster Show winner... he is in fact truly legendary."

Early Career and SEMA Experiences [02:07 – 10:00]

Chip delves into his early days in the automotive industry, recounting his first experiences at the SEMA Show in 1985. He worked with OSHA Corporation, designing the Girodisc—a positraction system now standard in every Jeep.

Chip Foose [04:11]:
"If you got into a slippery situation, the other wheel would take over and you could find traction."

Chip discusses his role as a designer tasked with generating innovative ideas, one of which led to the creation of HomeLink, the integrated garage door opener system.

Chip Foose [07:08]:
"We developed the idea of integrating that button into the car... we got the patent, and we sold that patent to Prince Corporation."

Transition to Overhauling and Television Success [12:04 – 43:00]

Chip shares his journey from Instagram fame to co-hosting the popular TV show Overhauling. He recounts working with renowned personalities like Tom Gale and Boyd Coddington, where he built custom cars under tight deadlines, averaging a new build every 11 days during season three.

Chip Foose [40:29]:
"We averaged finishing a car every 11 days."

He highlights the creative freedom and teamwork that made Overhauling a success, emphasizing the emotional reward of delivering a client’s dream car.

Chip Foose [32:20]:
"What those mean to me is I did my job for my customers."

Current Projects and Design Philosophy [43:00 – 73:00]

Chip discusses his current projects, including a 62 Corvette, a 56 Chevy post car, and a 57 Lincoln Continental. His passion project involves restoring a Duesenberg chassis, aiming to combine vintage aesthetics with modern engineering.

Chip Foose [43:57]:
"I'm trying to put myself back in the early 30s, maybe mid-30s... make it a much more voluptuous looking vehicle."

He elaborates on his design philosophy, prioritizing timelessness over trends and ensuring each build reflects both aesthetic beauty and functional performance.

Chip Foose [34:20]:
"I don't want to build something trendy because four or five years from now, somebody's going to look at that car and they know it was built four or five years ago."

Chip also touches on his collaboration with Hemmings, where he and his son curate and showcase desirable cars, blending his design expertise with their extensive collection.

Chip Foose [55:23]:
"We're going to be doing a section in Hemmings called Chip's Picks... finding cars and talking about it."

Fan Questions and Insights [73:00 – 93:07]

The hosts present listener questions, prompting Chip to share further insights:

1. Preference for Common vs. Oddball Cars:

   • Chip Foose [57:41]:
     "I like both. I mean, anything with four wheels. But if it's a car that's commonly done, then I want to look at it and try to do something different to make it stand out."

2. Automaker Design Comparison:

   • Chip Foose [62:06]:
     "If we go into the 30s and the 40s, the Fords are pretty much the top... but also the Chevys were really getting strong."
   • Matt Farah [63:13]:
     "The Continental is really, really, really the best car in the world that we're doing."

3. Modern vs. Classic Design Challenges:

   • Chip Foose [67:58]:
     "It's no longer the designer that's making the final decisions... I absolutely love the cars that were designed by the design team."

4. Engine Swaps and Custom Builds:

   • Chip Foose [47:11]:
     "I've got two J model engines sitting in my shop right now."
   • Chip Foose [83:14]:
     "I don't really do restoration work because what I want to do is build what I call the bank of intellectual property."

5. Influence of Modern Automakers:

   • Chip Foose [72:12]:
     "When I think of today's cars, the Corvette is a pretty phenomenal car for the money."

6. Dream Projects and Future Plans:

   • Chip Foose [84:29]:
     "I'm building it... I'm putting a Lincoln Zephyr flathead in it, but dressed it to look like a Rolls Royce Merlin motor."

Conclusion

Chip Foose concludes the discussion by sharing his aspirations to continue innovating within the automotive design realm, emphasizing the importance of emotional connections and customer satisfaction in his work.

Matt Farah [93:07]:
"Thank you for stopping by, Chip. I appreciate it."

Chip Foose [93:07]:
"Thank you so much."

Notable Quotes:

• Chip Foose [04:11]:
  "If you got into a slippery situation, the other wheel would take over and you could find traction."

• Chip Foose [07:08]:
  "We developed the idea of integrating that button into the car... we got the patent, and we sold that patent to Prince Corporation."

• Chip Foose [32:20]:
  "What those mean to me is I did my job for my customers."

• Chip Foose [34:20]:
  "I don't want to build something trendy because four or five years from now, somebody's going to look at that car and they know it was built four or five years ago."

• Chip Foose [57:41]:
  "I like both. I mean, anything with four wheels. But if it's a car that's commonly done, then I want to look at it and try to do something different to make it stand out."

• Chip Foose [67:58]:
  "It's no longer the designer that's making the final decisions... I absolutely love the cars that were designed by the design team."

This episode provides an in-depth look into Chip Foose's remarkable career, his design philosophies, and his ongoing contributions to the automotive world. Whether you're a car enthusiast or new to the realm of custom automotive design, Chip's insights offer valuable perspectives on creating timeless, high-quality vehicles.