From Jonathan Lamas,
Your Guide to Mustangs.
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Galpin Auto Sports (GAS), in Van Nuys, Calif. is no stranger to the world of Ford Mustang customization. Chances are you’ve seen one of their Mustangs on the road or on television. You might have even seen one in a magazine. They’re sleek, they’re shiny, and they’re packed full of power. In fact, their custom business receives weekly acclaim as the creative shop behind MTV’s successful television show Pimp My Ride. Viewers from coast-to-coast tune in to watch Chief Designer Beau Boeckmann and his team convert worn-out rust buckets into one-of-a-kind dream machines.

Mustang Customizing is a Family Business

In all, Galpin has been in the customizing cars for more than half a century. In 1953, Boeckmann’s father, Bert, was hired as a salesman at Galpin Ford. In 1963, Bert bought founder Frank Galpin’s stake in the company and became President of Galpin Motors, Inc. And the rest, they say, is history. Beau explained, “Galpin has been customizing cars for a long time. In the 1960s they started customizing vehicles for the surfer van business which eventually led to the conversion van business here in Southern California. The 4x4 truck craze grew from Galpin as well. The company was always doing something customized or unique such as customizing a car for events or shows. They’ve been doing this kind of work for a long time and that’s what I grew up with.”

Beau officially joined the Galpin team in 1987, and in 1998 he was promoted to Vice President of Galpin Motors, Inc., Galpin Auto Sports’ parent operation. His primary focus has been marketing and promotions as well as vehicle customizing. Beau explained, “About six years ago I took over marketing and promotions here at Galpin Motors. To me customizing cars has always been the normal thing. It’s my love and passion. My dad had mentioned, through the years, that we should open a Galpin toy store. He imagined a place where customers could come and see all the various ways they could customize their cars. But we had really never done anything like that. All along, for about the past four years, we’ve been working on this idea to do Galpin Auto Sports. It grew, and grew, and grew, but the concept behind it was really to be able to do anything custom and really handle all automotive accessories.”