Garage Scene -- Chip Foose

Chip Foose -- Huntington Beach, CA

By Brian Brennan

Wow, this garage scene is a switch. Normally we would expect to find Chip Foose of Foose Design working hard on next year's Ridler contender, or maybe putting the final touches on the next offering for America's Most Beautiful Roadster. Surely not working in the back of his Huntington Beach, California, shop on all matters necessary for his personal hot rod? Yep, we said his ride--something for Chip and not one of his luminous patrons. Yes, come next year we will see Chip cruisin' in his very own '32 Ford highboy roadster. Of course, it will be unique and most definitely "Chip," but we are sure you will see rodding roots in the highboy. Get you notebook out, as there are sure to be many fresh ideas you may want to incorporate into your next ride.

All of us know Chip as a topflight designer, builder, and successful television personality with not one but two cable shows. His cars have won every imaginable award in and outside our hobby. He is a force in our hobby, as well as throughout the automotive industry. His efforts are recognized from within the walnut paneled offices of Detroit to the parking lots of Pomona. Chip is a car guy with copious amounts of talent and happens to be a nice guy as well. (Some people get it all!)

Now, back to the car at hand; Chip's goal is to debut his Deuce highboy (affectionately titled P32, be patient!) at the Detroit Autorama in 2006. Careful, don't jump to conclusions. Should you look for this car along the front row, commonly reserved for the Ridler contenders, you will be disappointed. In fact, should you walk the hundreds of thousands of square feet on the show floor, you will be disappointed. You see, his goal is to feature this hot rod in the basement of the Autorama along with the other Xtreme rides. (In 2005, the Autorama brought back the basement from its earliest days for cars that fit best in a category entitled "Xtreme." While some may call these cars rat rods and tuner cars, I like to think of them as one more spoke in the wheel of hot rodding.

When we asked Chip to give us an overview of his project, he explained it as follows: "Imagine a fighter pilot who finds himself home after World War II in '48 and he misses his fighter plane."

What's missing is the excitement of flying a fighter plane. So what would a WWII fighter pilot do if he had the parts and time to build a hot rod? How about a Deuce highboy with liberal doses of fighter plane--hence the P32.The focal point of the car is a mammoth Lincoln Flathead V-12 linked to a '39 Lincoln side-shifter box. Power will be transmitted through a torque tube and eventually to a pair of '36 Ford axle tubes attached to a Halibrand quickie. The tire and wheel combination should also prove very kool, as the wheels will be original 18-inch spokes in front with original-appearing, but freshly minted, 19s in back. The steering will be ala Sprint Car coming out of the side of the cowl.

The car itself is a combination of sorts, with an original Deuce frame (highly modified) with a Brookville steel '32 body resting on. The dashboard is out of a 1938 Lincoln Zephyr, narrowed with the original ashtrays removed. The color of the highboy will be an original-appearing oxide green primer. Think of the light green used in military aircraft and you are there.

An interesting touch you will immediately note with regards to the chassis is the elevation of the K-member. Chip has raised the K-member 3 inches, yielding a smooth floor inside. This modification will also lift the entire powertrain, allowing the car to be lowered and yet retain ample ground clearance. Additionally, stock components such as the pedal assembly, master cylinder, and the torque tube will mount in the stock (but elevated) position.

Upon closer examination, we couldn't find any part on the chassis that was post-'48--a nice touch for a car that is supposed to be a pre-'50s hot rod. However, the real fun begins at the Detroit Autorama in '06. Make sure to get to the Autorama basement, as that's surely where the real hot rod action will begin.