Chip Foose may be known as the star of the reality TV series “Overhaulin'”, but his life is actually more complex than that. By the time he had risen to prominence in reality TV shows, he had already worked a litany of automotive-related jobs that gave him a plethora of experience regarding cars.

He was born and raised in Santa Barbara, CA, and he's been working on cars to some extent or another since age seven, when he helped his dad with his company, Project Design. Family has been a large influence through Foose's life, from his parents and his sister to his wife Lynne. After nine seasons, Overhaulin' concluded in 2015.

However, Foose looks back on it fondly, referring to it as a positive experience that taught him a lot. He's so busy these days that every day his work looks different, but he always keeps himself moving forward.

Chip Foose is a complex individual, with an importance on family, a thorough automotive background, a varied work schedule, and a positive outlook on his time with Overhaulin'.

He Had A Plethora Of Car Experience Before Overhaulin'

Chip Foose- Car Experience
via Independent Tribune

Chip Foose has an extensive resume prior to his time in the spotlight. He was born in Santa Barbara, California on October 13, 1963. His car career could be considered to start as early as age seven, when he would help his dad by working on cars at his dad's business, Project Design.

Upon Foose's graduation from the Art Center College of Design in 1990, he had several jobs in the car industry. A few of his future employers included Sternberger Design and later, Boyd Coddington, where he designed the Boydster I and Boydster II hot rods. After that, he became the president of the company Hot Rods by Boyd. Once that company hit bankruptcy by 1998, he and his wife Lynne took the big step to open their own shop, Foose Design, Inc., in Huntington Beach, California. At that point, he rebuilt the Boydster II for Chuck Svatos, as the 0032 roadster.

Finally, Foose gained exposure in 2003 as the subject of a TLC documentary, where he got to show off his “Speedbird,” a 2002 Ford Thunderbird he worked on. All of this was prior to the launch of Overhaulin' in 2004.

Related: 14 Incredible Facts About Chip Foose Of Overhaulin'

Daily Work Itinerary Varies

Chip Foose- Daily Work Itinerary Varies
via eBay

When Foose is working, he performs a variety of tasks, doing different things in different places. Every day is a new challenge and a new story, so his itinerary varies greatly. Foose enjoys that part of his job and thinks it's great. “My day is different every single day,” Foose said. I may stay home—I have a studio at home. Last night, I was in the shop until one in the morning fabricating on Wes Rydell’s ’39 Cadillac that we’re building. It’s going to be very stately. It will look like an original Cadillac until you look underneath.”

However, public exposure from Overhaulin' has meant he can't go anywhere in public without being recognized and having fans swarm him, as much as he cares about his fans. He does admit that when he licensed his name, he lost control of what happens to his reputation, as other people have more control than he does.

Unique Performance in Texas, which collapsed in 2007, had a license to build ’69 Camaros under Foose's name, for example, and he admitted it was a nightmare. Foose was supposed to collect royalties whenever a car was sold or delivered, but when the owner didn't deliver cars, people came after Foose instead of targeting the owner of the company. As a result, most of his salary made from Overhaulin' was spent on legal fees to protect himself. Luckily for Foose, he married an attorney.

Related: Chip Foose's "Overhaulin'" 1970 Monte Carlo Restomod Is Up For Sale

Family Is A Significant Influence In His Early And Current Life

Chip Foose- Family
via Twitter

Foose's father Sam, now 76, is often credited as the main source of inspiration for Foose's passion for cars and furiously intense work ethic. Foose grew up in an automotive-intensive environment, as Sam was running an auto body shop to pay bills. Foose considers his father to be tender and encouraging, giving Foose enough confidence to paint a Porsche 356 by age 12.

Foose felt like he wanted to help his father as a child, but ended up destroying a lot along the way, but he aimed to continue his father's work. “My career, in my mind, is an extension of my father’s,” Foose said. He also was impacted when his younger sister Amy died in 1985 at age 16. He remembers her fondly and he recalls she taught him not to judge a book by its cover, and look for something special that everyone has to offer. Also, his wife Lynne insisted Foose finish college when they were dating, as he had previously dropped out of Art Center College of Design, citing financial issues.

Luckily for him, an auto engineering firm offered to foot the bill if he’d commit to work for them for three years after graduation, which was an offer Foose accepted in order to marry Lynne. “She wanted to marry her equal,” Foose said. “So I knew I had to figure out how to get back to Art Center, and it’s the best thing I ever did in my life.”

Overhaulin' Is A Fond Memory Of His

Chip Foose- Overhaulin' Is A Fond Memory Of His
via Amazon

Foose looks back on his time at Overhaulin' as a positive experience, noting that he enjoyed doing that for his fans who never thought they'd have an experience like the one he presented. Foose said that people don't want to cut into old cars as often these days because they don't want to invest the time. Whereas parts were once the limiting factor and labor was affordable, circumstances have since inverted, so labor has become expensive and parts are more affordable. As a result, there's less creativity in the automotive industry, and people today would rather buy something instead of building something- hence the appeal for Overhaulin'.

For the first five years of filming, Foose said he worked on a car in about a week on average, completing 29 cars in nine months. However, he admits little sleep was a problem in those months, leading to burnout by the end of season three. Foose said he would absolutely do the show again, though, if he were allowed to take up to three weeks to finish each car and not run at the accelerated rate he had previously done.

Sources: altdriver.com, caranddriver.com

Next: The Strange Career Path Of Chip Foose From Overhaulin’