First Foose Coupes get delivered to customers

Posted Sat Jul 19 2008 12:45 PM by Nelson Ireson

Chip Foose's space-age hotrod, called simply the Foose Coupe, is an exercise in the extremes of automotive design and materials. So far, only four have been built however, and only two of those have been offered to the public, the last one at Barrett-Jackson's famed auction in 2007. The newest Coupe was delivered to its owner this week in California, marking the official kick-off of sales of the unique car.

Featuring a unique look, custom features and supercar-level performance, the Foose Coupe last claimed a retail price of $330,000 in open bidding. That may seem like a hefty price for a hot rod, but the Foose Coupe is as much exotic as it is American iron. A dry carbon fiber monocoque helps keep the car's weight down to about 2,300lbs (1,050kg) while the power provided by this example's 6.4L Hemi yields a power-to-weight ratio that many Ferraris and Lamborghinis can only aspire to. Weight distribution is also excellent thanks to the mid-engine design and rear-wheel drive ensures classic handling tendencies.

Rated at 500hp (373kW) and 480lb-ft (648Nm) of torque, the Foose Coupe's 4.6lb/hp (2.81kg/kW) tops even the Ferrari F430's 6.6lb/hp (4.0kg/kW). But it's not all about power. The Coupe is also a completely custom hot-rod inspired work of automotive art. Plush leather seating, carbon fiber trim, and in this customer's car, a pistol grip shifter for the five-speed manual. A fully independent front and rear suspension, 14-inch brake discs with six-piston Baer calipers and 20-inch polished alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tires complete the package. The flames lining the car's exterior were hand-painted by Chip Foose himself.

The Foose Coupe is limited to a run of 50 vehicles. Despite only four having been built since the car's debut at the 2006 SEMA show, the latest delivery indicates the pace of production may be picking up.

Gallery: Foose Coupe Delivery

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Reader Comments

Sat Jul 19 2008 2:44 PM
bambam says

its a cool car, nicely done
Sat Jul 19 2008 3:10 PM
Roy says

For that kind of money, I'd rather have a Plymouth Prowler .. and a Ferrari.
Sun Jul 20 2008 5:03 AM
Wizards Lore says

how does this car pass crash tests ? with a front like that im sure it would crumble !!
Sun Jul 20 2008 6:09 AM
Knight3058 says

How did the prowler pass crash tests? Its front end wasn't much different.
Sun Jul 20 2008 9:53 AM
Adam says

It probably doesn't have to pass crash/emissions test, as it has a "kit car" or "classic" designation, registration wise.
Sun Jul 20 2008 1:12 PM
ohmy says

wasnt this car part of a the TLC show where they built the green one, it was chips "dream" car that his team made come true for SEMA few years back, or somethign to that affect???

So he finally built it and will sell it, great specs and cool lookin car
Mon Jul 21 2008 10:43 AM
Brad says

i thought you had to give up something like six cars to the government for crash tests.

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