HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., (March 8, 2005) – Legendary hot rod designer and fabricator Chip Foose captured the Don Ridler Memorial Award for an amazing third time in the last four years at the 53rd AutoRama at Detroit’s Cobo Hall. Foose was honored with the prestigious award, one of the most coveted trophies on the show car circuit, for his incredible interpretation of “Impression” – a 1936 Ford Roadster belonging to Ken Reister of Littleton, Colorado.

The winning street rod, sculpted in shades of silver, charcoal, and cream, powered through the competition at this year’s event, which featured more than 900 custom cars and motorcycles. More than 12,000 hours were spent carefully installing the 20,000+ intricate parts including:

• Teardrop headlights with subtle eyebrow distinctions
• Sweeping bodywork reminiscent of a vintage Jaguar
• Taillights incorporating Ford’s vintage V8 logo
• Interior chrome and leather details

“We spent the last few weeks just cranking to get this car finished in time,” says Chip Foose of Foose Design. “I literally moved into our fabrication shop, so I’d be on site 24 hours a day to make sure that every detail of this car’s build was perfect. I am proud of my crew for their hard work and dedication to detail that helped make this victory a reality – for me and for Ken.”

Foose won his first Ridler Award in 2002 for his work on Bob and Wes Rydell’s ’35 Grand Master, and was victorious again in 2003 with Ron Whiteside’s ’34 Mercury Monarch “Stallion.” Founded in 1998, Foose Design is an automotive and product Development Company headquartered in Huntington Beach , Calif. Chip Foose and his Foose Design team can be seen on the popular new Discovery Channel series Overhaulin’ that airs weekly on TLC. For more info, visit the company web site at www.chipfoose.com.