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.
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.
1957
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.
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.
1966
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.
1967
Galpin Square
Galpin Square envisioned as America’s first automobile department store.
1968
A New Owner Bert Boeckmann
Bert takes sole ownership of Galpin.
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.
1974
Bert & Jane Meet Ronald Regan
“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
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.
1982
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.
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.
1987
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.
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!
1989
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!
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.
1993
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.”
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.
1998
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.
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.
2001
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.
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”!
2006
Galpin Opens Galpin Honda
Galpin Honda opens in Mission Hills, the ninth franchise to join the Galpin Motors family of automobile dealerships.
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!
2012
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.
2014
Beau Becomes President & COO
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.
