Chip Foose Invites Contest Entries To Restore Vehicle Lost to California Wildfires
The automotive icon recorded a video inviting wildfire survivors to enter a restoration contest focused on rebuilding a vehicle damaged during the 2024–25 fires…
At the recent Los Angeles Auto Show, Coulson Aviation announced the launch of the Coulson Aviation Wildfire Vehicle Restoration Contest, a new initiative created to support California wildfire survivors by restoring a vehicle damaged during the 2024–25 fires. Automotive design icon and TV star Chip Foose joined Wayne and Britton Coulson on stage to reveal the program and personally invite affected residents to apply.
The contest will award one wildfire survivor a professionally restored vehicle, completed with guidance from Chip Foose and executed by Coulson Autosports. With up to $100,000 in parts and labor on offer, it’s hoped the team can help return a valued vehicle to the road, whether it is a family heirloom, a daily driver or a significant car damaged by the fires, company officials stated in a press release.
Cars Represent Far More Than Just a Mode of Transportation
“This is about helping someone rebuild something that mattered to them,” said Chip Foose. “Cars hold memories. They represent family, milestones and identity. Being part of a project that helps someone move forward after such a devastating loss is incredibly meaningful to me.”
Coulson Aviation says that it created the contest as an extension of its wildfire response mission. The company is best known for operating the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet, and its crews witnessed firsthand the personal toll wildfires took on the communities.
“Our teams saw the destruction from the air and on the ground,” said Britton Coulson, president and COO of Coulson Aviation USA. “We wanted to give something back in a way that felt personal, and since Southern California is deeply rooted in car culture, we hope that restoring a vehicle might help restore a sense of normalcy and pride after the loss.”
How to Enter the Coulson Aviation Wildfire Vehicle Restoration Contest
The contest is free to enter and open to California residents who were directly impacted by the 2024–25 wildfires. Entrants are asked to submit photos and/or video of their damaged vehicle along with a short explanation of why the restoration matters to them.
Key dates include:
- Final entry deadline: Jan. 20, 2026
- Finalists selected: Late Jan. 2026
- Public voting period: Feb. 1-15, 2026
- Winner announced: March 1, 2026
- Vehicle reveal: 2026 Los Angeles Auto Show, or shortly thereafter
Full contest rules and entry details are available at rise.coulsonaviation.com.
The Magic Bus
In a related story, Volkswagen of America unveiled a restored white-over-blue 1977 T2 microbus at last month’s 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show that has become an unexpected symbol of resilience after surviving the January 2025 Palisades Fire in Southern California.
