<P> The show's premise was that an unknowing "victim"--the mark, in the show's language--is nominated to be "Overhauled" by his or her family or friends, the insiders . The mark's car, usually an old and tired antique car, was obtained through some ruse . Some common examples included the car being "stolen" by Chris and Chip, a car being misplaced or lost at a mechanic's shop, or the car being towed away by "police ." </P> <P> An integral part of the show was when the two co-hosts play tricks on the unsuspecting mark, sometimes acting in roles of insurance adjusters or law enforcement agents, other times helping the insider, while Chip Foose and a team of mechanics--dubbed "The A-Team"--have a week to remake the car into a custom masterpiece . Each show ended with the surprise reuniting of owner and newly made - over car . </P> <P> Each episode would take a significant amount of planning, starting with the producers reviewing the thousands of submissions from those wanting to have a friend's or family member's vehicle overhauled, selecting a deserving person, and setting everything in motion . Most builds would take place in Southern California, and true to the show's premise, the team would have only eight days to complete the build . Up to sixty people could be involved at any one time with the show . According to Associate Producer Jim Holloway, the show would assemble a team of seven or eight "A-Team" volunteer builders about four to five days before taping would start . The builders, who were usually masters of their craft, "work (ed) together...(with) a sense of camaraderie amongst them ." Sometimes builders would leave the build, causing Chip Foose to request help from a friend or cohort to help the team finish . Holloway noted that "we couldn't do the show without the builders or our sponsors ." The set would have the names and logos of various sponsors, many of whom often helped with the build . </P> <P> Once the project was chosen and scheduled, the show's major sponsors would ship parts to the build facility in advance of the show, while other sponsors would maintain a small on - site inventory . This would allow such items as air - filter housings, tire sizes, and so on to be test fit without having to wait for shipments . </P>

Who pays for the work done to the cars on overhaulin