Matt Stone

Galpin Ford Matt Stone

Many of today's successful businesses have humble roots dating to a period immediately following World War II. One such example began in 1946, when Frank Galpin opened a humble Ford dealership in San Fernando, California. Its 3-car showroom sold 46 cars in that first year of business. In 1953, H. F. (Bert) Boeckmann II joined Galpin Ford as a salesman. Boeckmann rose through the ranks, gradually buying portions of the dealership until he had full ownership in 1968.

Size was never the goal at Galpin Ford, but it happened to be the byproduct of a customer-centric philosophy in the service and sales departments. And what a byproduct it is! Galpin Ford is the world's largest Ford dealership 28 years running, but it's not your traditional Ford dealership. In 1966, the original building was replaced by the present facility, called Galpin Square, on Roscoe Boulevard. It was more like a mall than the traditional dealerships of the day. Out of the new facility came customized versions of the new Fords, a process called "Galpinizing," which redefined the custom car business. Along with his numerous sales and business awards, Boeckmann is also largely responsible for other innovations, such as bringing the sunroof to the United States. He was a pioneer in developing leasing programs, a first in the industry, and is widely recognized for his charitable contributions. In 1987, Bert brought his son Beau Boeckmann into the business, and Beau is now President and COO of Galpin Motors. This dynamic father-son duo has expanded Galpin Motors beyond Ford to include nearly a dozen brands, ranging from KIA and Volkswagen to Aston Martin, Lincoln, and Porsche.

In Galpin Ford you will follow the complete history of this unique American icon. From the early pioneering programs to the customizing shop that was revamped by Beau leading up to hosting the popular TV show Pimp My Ride to the car museum filled with Barris and Big Daddy Roth show cars and through various racing and off-road exploits, the Galpin Ford story is not only an account of a supremely successful business but also a fascinating look at the development of the industry during the period.