Chip Foose, the renowned automobile designer and artist, was inducted this week into the Hot Rod Hall of Fame’s Circle of Champions. 

The announcement was made at the 2013 Detroit Autorama, during the Ridler’s Ball reception on March 8th.

Foose was overjoyed to have received the honor, and gave thanks to the many people whom he had gotten to know over the year and who supported him; however, Foose made sure to dedicate the induction to his father, whom he considers his hero. 

“He’s the one who showed me and taught me this trade,” said Foose. “I consider my career as an extension of my father’s, so this award is as much his as it is mine.” Who knew that a kid working in his dad’s shop could grow up to become a legend in the automotive world? 

Foose, who got his start at age seven working in his father’s shop, Project Design, grew up with an intense passion for car design and bodywork. By 1989, at age 26, he was a full-time, gearhead rock star: director of design at the Asha Corporation, coming up with fabrication ideas for OEM prototypes, illustrator and conceptual artist for Stehrenberger Design, chief designer and fabricator of electric vehicles used in the NFL and MLB, etc.

All while still working with his father designing and building street rods, customs, studio vehicles and show cars.

Today, Foose runs his ever-successful company, Foose Design, with his wife Lynne. He continues to impress and amaze, having now been awarded three Ridler awards for creativity, workmanship, and engineering; eight Good Guys Street Rod of the Year awards; the Alexander Bros. Award (given to him during Autorama, for the awesome ElDorod);and many more. 

While accepting the award, Foose quipped: “I’m blessed and lucky to be able to make a career out of doing something that’s 100% unnecessary. We don’t need another hot rod. But the greatest thing about it is that it’s 100 percent passion-driven.”

We here at Rod Authority couldn’t agree more, congrats Chip!