About Galpin Motors

1946

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

1950

1950 relatives of Galpin employees in Galpin’s “1914 Ford Model T”

1952

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.

1953

Bert Boeckmann joins Galpin as a salesman.

1953

1953 Building “B”, in San Fernando.  A former Studabaker dealership, this building would become “Modern Edsel” in 1958.

1957

Bert promoted to 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.

1958

Galpin’s “Shaggy Dog” mascot is introduced, becoming a popular attraction at parades and special events, then the star of his own line of “doggie banks,” stuffed animals, coloring books and even his own comic strip! Shaggy was featured throughout the 1970s, when artist Dirk Wunderlich gave the character a “cuter, more cuddly” appearance.

1958

A look back at a classic full page Galpin Ad.

1960

Leasing vehicles to individuals is born. Another Galpin first.

1961

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.

1964

Ron Hornaday leading a race.

1964

A vintage ad promoting Galpin leasing on the 1964 Ford Thunderbird.

1967

Bert & the Sales team photographed in front of Galpin Ford.

1970

Bert teams with “Mac” McPheeters, a leading manufacturer of precision aircraft equipment, to create Establishment Motor Homes. Bert’s wife, Jane, designs a series of spectacular interiors, and when the Establishment is introduced at Dodger Stadium, crowds go wild over the leopard skin and velvet interiors, unusual fixtures and extras. In its first year of business, Establishment becomes the #1 selling Class C motor home in California!

1971

“The Shaggy Dog” at the new dealership, to promote the new 1972 Pinto!

1972

Jack Ong, Marketing Manager, diligently reviews a newspaper ad.

1975

From the sketchbook of Dirk Wunderlich, Galpin’s ‘Galpinvolvement’ yearbook.

1975

Galpin’s ‘We’re Galpinized’ yearbook by Dirk Wunderlich.

1980

When Ford halted production of the Mustang convertible in 1980, Galpin built its own! When Phil Caldwell became Chairman of Ford Motor Company, he saw the Galpinized Mustang convertible and was so impressed that he shipped it back to Detroit. Soon, Ford was producing Mustang convertibles again!

1982

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, 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

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

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!

1991

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

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.”

1997

Bert receives the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, presented by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Foundation.

1998

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

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.

2005

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

2008

The Boeckmann Family hosts a star-studded Gala Grand Opening on Oct. 18 to celebrate Galpin Auto Sports.

2008

Jane Boeckmann is honored with the American Spirit Award by the Americanism Educational League. Entertainer Pat Boone presented the prestigious award.

2009

Henry Ford III, great-great grandson of the American icon who founded Ford Motor Company and revolutionized American industry, spent the summer learning the auto retail business as an intern at Galpin Motors. Henry was earning his MBA at MIT.

2010

Galpin Subaru opened in 2010 at Galpin Santa Clarita, adding another remarkable brand to the ever-growing Galpin Motors Family of automobile dealerships!

2015

Beau officially named president & COO of Galpin Motors.