ARC MAGAZINE

Family Man

Depending on whom you ask, Francis Ford Coppola’s three Godfather films — and the Mario Puzo novel on which they’re based — are either about gangsters or family. They’re actually about both.

Just to be clear, Chip Foose is no gangster. Sure, he’s probably built some sweet-looking custom rides from the era of Prohibition or Goodfellas, but the association stops there.

Chip is, however, very much about family. And we’re not just talking about Sam, his father, or his wife and two kids, either. Chip’s family is much bigger than that. It includes every custom designer, builder, painter or craftsman who ever put in time at Foose Design or lent a hand with the hundreds of custom builds featured in nine seasons of Overhaulin’. Many of these folks have gone on to successful ventures and careers of their own. In that regard, Chip is a godfather to many.

But the family extends even further than Foose Design or Overhaulin’. Chip has maintained an active role in the California chapter of the Progeria Foundation for several years. It’s a cause with a very personal dimension for Chip, whose older sister Amy died from progeria in 1985. He’s lent his talents to other organizations as well, including Childhelp, Victory Junction Gang Camp and SEMA’s annual Show ‘N Shine car show for children’s charities.

It’s no surprise that his ability to continue functioning for days at a time on just a few hours of sleep has become legendary among those with whom he’s worked over the years.

Bryan Fuller, the owner and founder of Fuller Moto, was working at Foose Design even before Overhaulin’premiered in 2004. He calls Chip “a natural born leader” who imparted some very important lessons to Fuller and so many others along the way. “What you learn is that great leaders pull their teams,” says Fuller. “That’s why they call it leading. Because you’re pulling the team.”

Intentionally or not, just by virtue of the work he’s done and continues to do, Chip extends a challenge to all of us in the business of welding and related trades, regardless of where we are on the experience curve: be a leader; be a mentor; be an educator; help pave the way for the next generation of your extended family.

It may involve hard work and long hours, but the payoff is likely to be great, and the community that will take shape around your efforts will be about something even greater than cars.

It’s an offer that’s pretty hard to refuse.