A HISTORY OF

GALPIN MOTORS

Galpin Ford Opens

Frank Galpin opens Galpin Ford in the City of San Fernando. The showroom holds 3 vehicles; 46 cars are sold the first year of business.

1946

1946 Galpinmotors1.jpg
1952 Motortrend1.jpg

1952

Introducing Galpinized customs

The first Galpinized vehicle, the Galpin Custom, a ’52 Ford convertible modified with Mercury and Lincoln parts, debuts at the Motoroma and subsequently graces the cover of Motor Trend.

Bert becomes general manager

Bert’s rapid success and promotion to General Manager is primarily due to his devotion to the customer. He genuinely cared about people, and wanted to help his clients purchase the vehicle of their choosing.

1957

1957 Generalmanager1.jpg
1961 Nascar1.jpg

1961

galpin gets into racing

Galpin Ford launches a West Coast NASCAR racing team with drivers Ron Hornaday and “Steady Eddie” Gray. Hornaday leads the Galpin team to four consecutive NASCAR West Coast Division championships! Ron Hornaday Jr., following his dad’s lead, becomes a popular NASCAR champion with 4 Nationwide Series and 36 Craftsman Truck Series victories.

Construction Begins on A new galpin

Galpin Ford moves to its current location on Roscoe Blvd. called “Galpin Square”. The vast, modern showroom, with display space for 17 vehicles and featuring the world’s first full-service, in-dealership restaurant, is an instant community attraction, ideal for special shows and events.

1966

1966 Galpinsquare 1.jpg
Galpinsquare1 300x224 1.jpg

1967

Galpin Square

Galpin Square envisioned as America’s first automobile department store.

A New Owner Bert BoecKmann

Bert takes sole ownership of Galpin.

1968

1965 Sunroof1.jpg
1969 Retaileroftheyear1.jpg

1969

Meeting The Mayor

Mayor Tom Bradley congratulates Jane and Bert when Galpin Ford wins the Brand Names Foundation Automotive Retailer of the Year Award. In 1974, Galpin wins the prestigious honor a second time, unprecedented in the industry.

Bert & Jane Meet Ronald Reagan

“When I think about what’s right in America, I will always think of men like Bert Boeckmann. May your good deeds be rewarded with continued success and good health.” — Ronald Reagan, President of the United States

1974

1974 Ronaldreagan1.jpg
Distinguished Service Citationsmall 150x150 1.jpg

1979

Induction into the automotive Hall of Fame

He is inducted for his dedication to the automotive industry through his leadership as a dealer and chairman of the Board of Galpin Ford and for his desire and willingness to share his knowledge with others.

Forward Looking Future Fuels of America

Always concerned about environmental quality, Bert establishes Future Fuels of America, opening the first Methanol service station in the world. The grand opening is attended by such dignitaries as Mayor Tom Bradley, Lt. Gov. Mike Curb, Barry Goldwater, Jr., Iron Eyes Cody, Robert Stack and Charlton Heston.

1982

1982 Futurefuels1.jpg
1985 Timemag1.jpg

1985

Time Magazine Dealer of The Year

Time Magazine, in collaboration with the National Automobile Dealers Association, names Bert the National Quality Dealer of the Year, best of 25,000 dealers in America. This is the highest possible honor bestowed upon a dealer.

Beau Boeckmann Joins Galpin

Bert and Jane’s son, Beau, joins the Galpin Motors team, going on to become Vice President in 1998, opening Galpin’s customizing arm GAS in 2006, and in 2014 became president & COO of Galpin Motors.

1987

1987 Beau1.jpg
1988 Galpinlincolnmercury1.jpg

1988

Now open Galpin Lincoln

Boeckmann opens Galpin Lincoln/Mercury, taking an under-performing dealership from being the worst in Customer Service Index and low sales to #1 in Customer Service and the #1 sales leader in the Western United States!

Galpin Ford Becomes #1

Galpin Ford becomes the number one Volume Ford Dealer in the World for both cars and trucks, an achievement Galpin Ford repeats every year to this day!

1990

Galpin Ford Logo 2x.jpg
1991 Moscowfarmers1.jpg

1991

Donating Across the World

When Russian farmers fear for the lives of citizens around Moscow due to crop shortages, Bert and Jane Boeckmann arrange for a delivery of 57,000 pounds of seeds to Moscow farmers. The Boeckmanns go to Moscow to oversee the delivery and distribution.

Honored Outstanding Businesswoman

Jane Boeckmann is honored by the San Fernando Valley Business and Professional Association with the Free Enterprise Award as “an outstanding businesswoman, wife and mother, a true patriot, and one who exemplifies a dedication to the best interests of the free enterprise system.”

1993

1993 Janeaward1.jpg
1995 Horatioalger1.jpg

1995

Bert is honored by the horatio alger association

Bert is honored by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans for his outstanding success achieved through hard work, upstanding business ethics and worldwide philanthropy. Bert is the first auto dealer to receive this award, joining four presidents, six presidential hopefuls, and a veritable Who’s Who of American history from every major field of endeavor.

galpin opens galpin mazda

Galpin Mazda opens, quickly becoming #1 in customer satisfaction and the fastest growing Mazda dealership in America, and in 2016 officially became the #1 selling Mazda dealer in the United States.

1998

1998 Soleownergalpinford1.jpg
2000 Herofortheplanet1.jpg

2000

The First to be Named Hero of the Planet

Ford Motor Company honors Bert as its first Hero for the Planet, a tribute to Bert’s commitment to making the world a better place to live through exemplary business ethics, community involvement and global philanthropy.

Galpin opens Galpin Premier

The Boeckmann Family opens the Galpin Premier Collection, presenting Galpin’s Aston Martin, Jaguar, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo dealerships in a dazzling state of the art, multi-level showroom that also features a merchandising galleria and the very first in-dealership Starbucks.

2001

2001 Galpinpremiercollection1.jpg
2005 Clubaston11.jpg

2005

Exotic Automotive Redefined

Club Aston – immediately acclaimed as the most unique Aston Martin Showroom in the world — opens to global attention, with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger heading a roster of entertainment, political and society celebrities in attendance at what is heralded as “the party of the year”!

Galpin opens Galpin Honda

Galpin Honda opens in Mission Hills, the ninth franchise to join the Galpin Motors family of automobile dealerships.

2006

2006 Galpinhonda1.jpg
2006 Gas1.jpg

2006

Galpin’s Custom Shop Galpin Auto Sports

Galpin Auto Sports (GAS) opens, a unique customizing and aftermarket dealership combining all the elements of “Galpinizing” under one roof for customizing convenience. GAS becomes the home of MTV’s hit show, “Pimp My Ride,” bringing customizing into living rooms around the world!

Galpin opens Galpin Volkswagen

Galpin Volkswagen joined the stellar lineup of Galpin Motors franchises in 2012, opening at 15421 Roscoe Bl., just east of Galpin Ford and Galpin Pre-Owned.

2012

2012 Galpinvw.jpg
2015 Presbeau1.jpg

2014

Beau Becomes President & COO

Galpin opens Porsche Santa Clarita

2020

Porsche.jpg
Carkings.jpeg

2020

Galpin Auto Sports New TV Show

Galpin Auto Sports, the number one custom auto shop in the country, lets America behind the scenes on their builds. From historic restorations and futuristic builds to fixing up barn finds, the team works on 100 years worth of cars under one roof.

Galpin Opens Land Rover Van Nuys

2021

Galpinhistory Lr.jpg