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ALLEY CAT	RPL, CJ, MikeK, Norb, or anyone else - Did Chip Foose have anything to do with the design/styling of the Prowler, in any way, shape, or form? I couldn't believe my ears today,,,listening to a local Cadillac dealer's radio commercial about working with Chip Foose on two Cadillac cars to trick out for an upcoming TV show on the Discovery Channel. This Cadillac guy said Chip was involved with Chrysler in the Prowler design If Chip did,,,I wasn't aware of it. Can anyone verify or deny the claim positively? I know Gale had a 1933 hi-boy with a hemi in it,,,,wonder if that was what they were referring to?
CJ	Don't think so...........
ALLEY CAT	I got the guy's name and email who did the radio commercial, but before I blast him I wanted to know for sure. CJ, any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, AC
CJ	I'll ask Bob in the a.m.
tangled up in BLUE	...maybe he had a hand in designing someones custom Prowler somewhere along the line and this Caddy dealer just doesn't know the difference ??? saw his(Chip) show on last nite...they did a kids ElCamino....pretty good TV....it sure beats Boyd and his band of F***ups
ALLEY CAT	quote: Originally posted by CJ: I'll ask Bob in the a.m. Thanks CJ, I appreciate that. Larry
Larry Lord	Chip Foose shop tour 6/15/02
CJ	Talked to Bob this morning. First, Bob has the highest respect for Chip Foose and believes he is absolutely the top hot rod designer and builder out there today. Bob actually assisted Chip with parts for the Marriott V-8 Prowler that Lingenfelter built. Larry Lord can verify that he had to personally repossess the pair of test control arms that were lent to him. Chip clearly feels that the Prowler concept car resembles his drawings from college, as do many modern renditions of 1930-era Fords. The Prowler design was granted trademark status. Legally, Chip had nothing to do with the car. Chrysler is very protective of its intellectual properties and trademarks. If Chip had a legititmate claim, he would have challenged Chrysler's patent long before now. This same issue surfaces periodically. People can say what they want and even what they believe without legitimate claim. The story of the Prowler design is in the Prowler book called "Plymouth Prowler - Anatomy of A New American Roadster". The chapter called "Design - From Concept to Production" explains how Kevin Verduyn's design for a modern-day street rod served as the basis for the Plymouth Prowler. In a nutshell, Tom Tremont was the design chief for Chrysler Pacifica, which was a small operation of about 20 people and located in Carlsbad, CA. This group included Pacifica's design manager, Kevin Verduyn. According to Verduyn, the idea for the Prowler originated during an "idea fair" held at Pacifica in May, 1990. In early November 1990, Chrysler's top brass from "back East" (including Tom Gale, design direct Neil Walling and Chrysler president Bob Lutz) were at Pacifica for another presentation. Lutz spied a small sketch from the idea fair that sparked his interest hanging on a wall in Verduyn's office. This drawing kicked off the model that ultimately led to the Prowler. The fifth-scale model came out almost like the sketch. Gale, whose interest in hot rods led him to design and build his own personal ground-up design conterminous with the Prowler, was "real enthusiastic" from day one" says Verduyn, "so much that the Prowler became his baby". You can read the entire story and see the drawing with Verduyn's name on it in this book.
thedqman	It was Tom Gales Vision, VP of the Chrysler SPV divsion, and his focus on creating a niche market that would set Chrysler apart and bring a unique edge to todays design and manufacturing. Taking this vision to Art College of Design in Pasadena California, the first name in automotive design schools, Tom sought to have his ideas explored and realized. It was here he met Chip Foose, and soon discovered that his talent, imagination and influence would not only be invaluable, but unequaled. Fooses intent was to create a roadster with the seductive and classic lines from a timeless era. Gayle found Fooses roadster concept to be a perfect platform to bring to life the dream that is the Prowler. Copied from Mac motosports Brochure This message has been edited by thedqman on 09-02-2004 at 06:58 AM
Black Tie 161	Interesting CJ. I always thought Foose was involved in the concept of the Prowler since his dwgs were so similar in design. Thedqman poste the story I've heard.... I have to think in some way, Plymouth was inspired by his designs whether they want to legally admit it or not...LOL.
ALLEY CAT	A big thank you to everyone for your comments on this topic! I had read the PROWLER STORY, from the HOME PAGE, on the Prowler history before posting this thread and didn't see Chip's name included. The radio commercial really caught me by surprise and I really felt the need to know before contacting the person who made the commercial. I had heard that Kevin Verduyn had drawn the original concept,,,,but I can see from these other posts and pictures where Chip may have "felt" that his rendering preceded Kevin's. Drawings are just that,,,drawings. Chrysler took the leap from drawings to final production and should be given full credit for their vision and desire to go where no other auto manufacture would travel. Thanks again to everyone for your comments.