Chip Foose has had a natural flair for drawing cars and car parts from a young age and honed his design skills in his father’s shop. Despite financial hardships, he further developed his talents at the Art Center College of Design and went on to work on a variety of vehicles throughout his career, including designing concept cars for major automotive manufacturers. One pivotal vehicle in his journey as an automotive designer was the 1956 Ford F-100, which marked the beginning of his rise to prominence in the automotive world.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Chip Foose’s website.
A Legacy Of Family, Passion, And Design
The story of Chip’s F-100 starts with his father, Sam Foose, and the truck’s role as his father’s reliable shop vehicle. Chip acquired the truck at 13 and dedicated three years to completely revamping and personalizing the F-100 with meticulous attention to detail, making it his own.
A Three-Year Labor Of Love
Over three years, Chip rebuilt and restyled the pickup, resulting in a stunning transformation with an elegant root beer brown paint job. The F-100 became not only a reflection of his design skills but also a vessel of cherished memories and experiences throughout his high school and early college years.
Chip Never Forgot His First Love
Despite his busy career, Chip never let go of his dream to rejuvenate his beloved F-100 and often envisioned new transformations for it.
The Rebirth Of Chip’s Ford F-100
In 2005, Chip’s 1956 Ford F-100 seemingly went missing from his design shop, only for it to be revealed that it was part of an elaborate plan orchestrated by his father for the Overhaulin’ show, showcasing Chip’s creativity to a broader audience. Using Chip’s sketches and concepts as their basis, Sam and his team embarked on an intricate transformation of the F-100.
Almost Every Single Thing Was Reformed
They extensively reshaped the truck, creating a custom masterpiece that blended Chip’s signature style with the original charm of the F-100. Significant modifications included adjustments to the roofline, hood, fenders, axles, and running boards, along with the inclusion of modern headlights and taillights to improve visibility, and modifications to the bumpers and bed posts.
Revised For A Rugged And More Aggressive Look
Additional modifications included the utilization of a Roush Aluminum Sideoiler engine, a Ford C6 Custom transmission, and a range of modernized components to enhance the truck’s capabilities.
Chip Foose’s Ford F-100 Specs
Engine |
Roush Aluminum Sideoiler |
Transmission |
Ford C6 Custom |
Shifter |
Stock Ford Shifter |
Wheelbase |
116 inches |
Rear End |
Ford 9″ with 3.73:1 gear ratio |
Rear Suspension |
Ford 4-link system |
Shocks |
Coilover shocks |
Brakes |
Baer Extreme Plus brakes with 6-piston calipers and 14-inch cross-drilled rotors |
(Specs sourced from Chip Foose’s website)
The Chassis Serves As A Foundation For Performance And Control
The truck combines stock Ford components with meticulous modifications, resulting in a stable platform for handling and ensuring optimal power distribution to the rear wheels.
Modern Parts To Enhance The Classic’s Capabilities
The revamped interior showcases thoughtful modifications such as custom gauges, climate control, electrical system enhancements, and leather upholstery, culminating in a blend of style and functionality that encapsulates the essence of the F-100’s remarkable journey.
A Classic Blend Of Style And Functionality
At the 2005 SEMA show in Las Vegas, the transformed F-100 was unveiled to an amazed audience, cementing its status as an extraordinary classic American muscle truck and a testament to the power of perseverance and family legacy.