Foose began working on automobiles at age seven for his father's company, Project Design, in Santa Barbara, California. Encouraged by Ford and Preston Tucker designer Alex Tremulis, Foose started to attend the Art Center College of Design in 1982, however dropped out after two years due to financial difficulties. After working for four years at ASHA Corp., Foose returned to the Art Center to complete his education. After graduating in 1990, Foose worked full-time for Sterenberger Design and part-time for Boyd Coddington. In 1993, Foose resigned from Sterenberger to work for J Mays at Ford, however Coddington was able to convince Foose to work for him instead. Working for Coddington full-time, Foose eventually became the president of Coddington's company Hot Rods by Boyd. While working for Coddington, Foose designed many of Coddington's well known creations such as the Boydster I and II.
In 1998, with Hot Rods by Boyd facing bankruptcy, Foose left his position and with his wife Lynne started his own automotive and product design company called Foose Design in Huntington Beach, California. Foose's departure from Boyd's was not an amicable one as in a 2006 interview, Foose stated: "Boyd has chosen to not have any relations with me, since I stopped working at his shop." One of the main reasons for the bitter relationship between Boyd and Chip is claimed to be that Chip retained many of the talented builders from Boyd Coddington, where the departure of Mike and Charley was aired on "American Hot Rod".
Foose gained more exposure in 2003 as a result of a TLC documentary on his design and creation of a modified 2002 Ford Thunderbird called the Speedbird. In 2004, the TLC program Overhaulin' began to air with Foose as the star of show. At the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, a unique 1969 Foose Designed Camaro Convertible was displayed, to be produced in a 500 car run by Unique Performance of Dallas Texas. Press releases following this period announced UP would also be handling the marketing of Foose's other custom car lines, including Hemisfear, along with the Foose 2006 Mustang Stallion. Foose also designed a paint scheme for 4 time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jeff Gordon to promote Dupont's Hot Hues paint line. In November 2007, Foose officially severed ties to Unique Performance following police action against UP for alleged illegal activities. In 2006, Foose launched a line of die cast replicas of many of his famous designs partnering with the makers of Johnny Lightning in the creation of JL Full Throttle. JL Full Throttle produced many of Foose's famous, award winning designs like Grand Master and Impression. The Impression subsequently won the prestigious Ridler prize. Also replicated were a number of cars from Overhaulin'. Announced at the(SEMA) show in 2006 was a pact between Foose and Ford to produce Foose designed Ford vehicles, the first of which was shown at the 2007 New York Auto Show.
Foose was retained as design consultant to provide architects with unique styling elements for the exterior and interior of the $275 million expansion of Detroit's MotorCity Casino, anticipated to be complete by the end of 2007.
As of 2010, Foose continues to operate Foose Design and provide design consultations to the Big Three automakers. Overhaulin' was canceled at the end of 2009.
Foose also finds time to serve as the Vice Chairman of the Progeria Research Foundation, California Chapter. (Foose's youngest sister died of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome.) Foose has also taken place in numerous children's charities such as Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. He was also named Grand Marshal of SEMA Show N' Shine public car show for children's charities. Foose also helped start the Ridemakerz customizable toy cars business in 2007.
Foose and his wife live in Southern California with their two children Brock and Katie.
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