A signed football from Ed “Too Tall” Jones, a picture with Willie Robertson from Duck Dynasty, a 20-second conversation with Fast N' Loud’s Richard Rawlings and Aaron Kaufmann, a glimpse of Jean Simmons from KISS and countless pens, stickers and drink cozies. As attendees exited the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, the majority left with an over-sized bag of stuff as well as countless memories. But for one SEMA attendee, he left the annual Las Vegas show in Nevada with one very unique souvenir that has no equal.
When I found out Chip Foose was going to be at MagnaFlow I abused my media privileges and successfully talked my way into meeting him in the private closed-off section of the booth. Before he went out to sign autographs for his fans, Foose took some time to meet executives and staff members from MagnaFlow. His time was limited because there was a long line of fans eager to meet the automotive designer and fabricator, and star of the reality TV series Overhaulin'. He’s extremely talented and even though the show ended years ago, the re-runs continue to lure in new fans. Today he operates Foose Design and provides design consultation to the Big Three automakers and he’s as popular as ever.
Those determined to meet him began lining up at the MagnaFlow booth hours before Foose was scheduled to arrive. But Jose Dos Santos Filho from Sorocaba, Brazil, wasn’t taking any chances. He lined up four hours early, just so he could be the first one in line. As Foose sat down at the table to begin what he thought was just another routine signing session, the engine builder from Brazil anxiously stepped forward with a large vinyl sign that immediately caught the attention of everyone in the booth. His sign read, “Chip Foose I came from Brazil only to see you. Could you make a sketch of my car, please?”
With a picture of his car from a magazine in one hand, he was making a lot of movements yet not saying a single word. Turns out the Brazil-native didn’t speak a lick of English and he had someone back home translate the sign so he could communicate with his idol.
It takes a lot to impress most celebrities, but it was clear that Foose was flattered by the effort this man had gone to just to meet him. He took the time to sketch his car on the vinyl banner and the people who know Foose best said he’s only done something like this for maybe a couple of other fans, so this truly was a unique souvenir.
When he finished, Jose was beaming and the five-minute session ended with hugs and a cheer from the crowd. Those gathered around the MagnaFlow booth knew they had seen something unique that day as one fan went home with more than just your typical souvenir. He left with a one-of-a-kind piece of art from a legend in the automotive industry, and I’m quite confident I’ll never see it on eBay.