Following last year’s announcement of the Wildfire Vehicle Restoration Contest by Coulson Aviation in association with automotive design icon and TV star Chip Foose, the submissions have been examined and the public votes have been counted. The winner was Ben Johnson’s 1955 Chevrolet Delray, which will receive a full restoration from Coulson Autosports during the course of the year.
The contest was open to anybody who had lost a vehicle during the 2024/25 Southern California wildfires. Johnson and his family lost a great deal to the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, including the Delray, which was more than just a vehicle; it was a piece of family history, according to a press release from Coulson Aviation.
History of the 1955 Chevrolet Delray
Purchased when he was 16, the Orbit Orange Chevy was Johnson’s first car. Dating back to high school, he’d drive out to Bob’s Big Boy for the weekly Friday night gathering, and later shared memories of it with his wife and children. When he bought his Altadena home 15 years ago, finding somewhere to keep the car was an important part of the decision.
Like thousands of people affected by the devastating wildfires, decisions had to be made quickly, and Johnson couldn’t evacuate the Delray in time. Once the flames were extinguished and people could return home, Johnson discovered only charred remnants of the frame, fenders, bumpers and floorpan.
Johnson had hoped his children, now nine months and six years old, would grow up riding in the Delray, but the insurance did not cover the loss, and rebuilding their home would need all the resources they had.
Coulson Aviation Goes Beyond Fighting Fires
The Coulson Aviation Wildfire Vehicle Restoration Contest was designed to offer a glimmer of hope to survivors, the company said. As the world’s largest provider of firefighting aircraft, Coulson Aviation participated in the efforts to contain the flames and witnessed the devastation on the ground. Collaborating with automotive legend Foose, they wanted to revive a vehicle that would otherwise have been lost forever.
“The Los Angeles wildfires were devastating for the Los Angeles community and so many hot rodders. So, it’s an honor to work alongside Coulson Aviation to help bring one of the cars lost in the fires back to life,” said Foose. “Obviously, Ben’s car was destroyed by the fire beyond where it could be restored, but we plan to incorporate salvaged elements from it into a new build. My goal is to design and build a car that brings back the same feeling Ben and his family had when he first bought it in high school.”
Chip Foose & Ben Johnson Map Out the ’55 Delray Rebuild
After learning he’d won the contest, Johnson was invited to visit Foose, where the pair shared ideas about the Delray’s restoration before Foose created an initial rendering of what they hope will be the finished vehicle. Johnson also transported a number of remnants from the destroyed vehicle, which the team at Coulson Autosport will attempt to incorporate into the project.
The contest was never just about a vehicle; it was about restoring a lifetime of memories, according to the release. And with Johnson’s ’55 Chevy Delray, the team definitely has its work cut out but is dedicated to getting it back on the road. With Foose’s help and guidance, a solid plan has been approved by Johnson and work is underway.
“We’re there when these fires are at their worst. We see exactly what’s left behind,” said Britton Coulson, president of Coulson Aviation USA. “Too often, the focus stops when the fire is out. For us, leadership means continuing beyond that, which is why the Vehicle Restoration Contest is so important to us all.”
Video of when Ben Johnson learns he has won the Wildlife Vehicle Restoration Contest.
A video series will be created by Foose, chronicling the adventure and the return to Johnson of his Orbit Orange Delray. Coulson Aviation said it will release more details at a later date.