Hot Rod designer Chip Foose transformed this John Deere tractor into a vehicle resembling a vintage race car.

Hot Rod designer Chip Foose transformed this John Deere tractor into a vehicle resembling a vintage race car.

      Tractor Zoom via YouTube

      The latest in car news and reviews, no fluff.

      Subscribe to our free daily newsletter to receive the important stories directly in your inbox every weekday.

      Can tools be considered art? Opinions differ, but I believe they can. Hot rod designer Chip Foose seems to share this sentiment, having transformed a 1970 John Deere 4020 tractor into something resembling a vintage sprint car rather than just a piece of farming equipment.

      Foose made these modifications around 2010, shortly after his TV show Overhaulin’ concluded its final season. Known for designs like the Hemisfear, which became the Plymouth Prowler, Foose collaborated with Deere for the Big Buck Sales Event. This eye-catching tractor traveled across the country, visiting numerous dealers before eventually being given away. Now, over 15 years later, it resides in the John Deere Archives in East Moline, Illinois.

      Tractor Zoom via YouTube

      John Deere Big Buck 4020 Chip Foose Giveaway Webisode #3

      FOOSE John Deere 4020

      Legend has it that Foose recognized a resemblance between the 4020, a major success for John Deere, and classic circle track racing cars. This inspired him to enhance the long hood, which curves upward before the cockpit, and to add prominent side pipes. The back features a boat tail design reminiscent of old sprint cars, with “4020” hand-painted on the rear.

      Foose's modifications sparked considerable debate. It seems that the only group more opinionated than Porsche enthusiasts are diehard John Deere fans, who disagreed with nearly all of Foose's changes to the cherished 4020. Evidence of this displeasure can still be found in archived online forum discussions from years past:

      It’s likely their views haven’t shifted much since then. However, as Heritage PR Manager Chris Boyens notes in a video on the Tractor Zoom YouTube channel, 4020s weren't scarce. John Deere produced a significant number of them between 1968 and 1972. Boyens also mentions that all modifications are fully reversible if there was ever a desire to return it to its original form. But why would they do that?

      The most controversial 4020 on the planet?

      Perhaps the critics felt frustrated when newer tractors became almost impossible for owners to maintain, and while searching for older models, they believed the unique Chip Foose version would have been ideal for their farming needs. Regardless, the tractor now enjoys a climate-controlled environment while others continue to work hard. This might be why some are upset—if it’s not aiding someone’s livelihood, it seems it shouldn’t exist at all.

      But personally, I believe tools can be art as well.

      Have a tip or question for the author? Reach out to them directly at caleb@thedrive.com.

Hot Rod designer Chip Foose transformed this John Deere tractor into a vehicle resembling a vintage race car. Hot Rod designer Chip Foose transformed this John Deere tractor into a vehicle resembling a vintage race car. Hot Rod designer Chip Foose transformed this John Deere tractor into a vehicle resembling a vintage race car. Hot Rod designer Chip Foose transformed this John Deere tractor into a vehicle resembling a vintage race car. Hot Rod designer Chip Foose transformed this John Deere tractor into a vehicle resembling a vintage race car. Hot Rod designer Chip Foose transformed this John Deere tractor into a vehicle resembling a vintage race car. Hot Rod designer Chip Foose transformed this John Deere tractor into a vehicle resembling a vintage race car.

Other articles

RTR Demonstrates How Professionals Tune a Mustang for Formula Drift RTR Demonstrates How Professionals Tune a Mustang for Formula Drift We received some advice on drift car setups from the experts. There's much more involved than just negative camber and hydraulic handbrakes. RTR Demonstrates How Professionals Tune a Mustang for Formula Drift. RTR Demonstrates How Professionals Tune a Mustang for Formula Drift. We received advice on drift car configurations from the experts. It involves much more than just negative camber and hydraulic handbrakes. Short-Sighted Profit Motives Are Threatening Enthusiast Cars—and the Next Generation of Fans Short-Sighted Profit Motives Are Threatening Enthusiast Cars—and the Next Generation of Fans The distinctive sales approach of a family-run tree nursery changed my perspective on the affordability crisis.

Hot Rod designer Chip Foose transformed this John Deere tractor into a vehicle resembling a vintage race car.

At what can be considered the height of his popularity, Chip Foose explored a different kind of four-wheeled artistry: agricultural machinery.