Art Gallery || Carroll Shelby || Chili Recipes || Club History || Cobra Showcase || Drag Racing || Magazine || Photo Archive
  Video Channel || Links || HOME

GALPIN Auto Sports Displays 21 Project Cars at the 2011 SEMA Show in Vegas

LAS VEGAS (October 28, 2011) – Following its inaugural display at the 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, Southern California-based custom-shop Galpin Auto Sports (GAS), will exhibit a fleet of 21 hand-built project cars at the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas; 12 of which are all-new, never-before-seen automotive creations built specifically to display at this year’s show.

Appearing in six displays at this year’s show, Galpin Auto Sports will be bringing custom cars from Ford, Chevy, Aston Martin, Lotus and Volvo. In addition to the two main GAS branded locations, in the DUB Live Area and Ford track outside, Galpin-built project cars will be featured in several other vendors’ booths throughout the 2012 show including Nitto, MHT Luxury Alloys as well as two Ford owned spaces.

“We decided build a fleet of cars that showcase Galpin Auto Sports’ abilities across a full-line of different manufacturers beyond Ford this year, putting special emphasis on our fabricating, tuning and electrical capabilities,” said Beau Boeckmann, Chief Designer and President of Galpin Auto Sports. “The craftsmen at GAS put in many long hours, day and night, leading up to the show and we’re proud at what they’ve been able to accomplish. We’re excited to have the opportunity to share their work with vehicles on exhibit throughout the show.”

Additional information about each car is available on-site by visiting the GAS branded big rig outside the convention center, located between the Ford Test Track and Central Hall, or by calling Nathan Hoyt, JMPR Public Relations, Inc. at 805-807-4328.

The following pages include brief descriptions of several of the cars built by GAS and debuting at SEMA this year:

(Click on any photo to view HiRes image)

1. 2012 Ford F-150 – “Thunder”
Paying homage to one of the fastest trucks ever built, the Ford Lightning, GAS created “Thunder” with the goal of building a truck that performs like a sportscar. After painting it with a one-of-a-kind metallic PPG finish designed by GAS called “Dark Amethyst,” the team took the stock 2011 F-150 regular cab short bed and boosted its 365-hp engine to kick out 540-hp with the help of a Magnuson Supercharger. To keep the power to the ground, GAS added an Air Ride Technologies four-link rear suspension sitting on 22-inch forged three-piece Forgiato Barra wheels with 305/40/22 rear and 275/45/22 front Pirelli tires. Other custom features include a Streetscene front fascia, Euro Sport mirrors, Ram Air hood, hard tonneau cover with spoiler, custom T-Rex grille, rear roll pan and bed rug. Finishing exterior styling is a custom Flowmaster side exiting exhaust system that is reminiscent of the original Lightning. Inside, GAS added large custom leather and suede bolsters to the front seats to keep drivers in place while they’re cornering.

2. 2012 Wide-Body BOSS 302 Ford Mustang – “BOSS 302-X”
GAS challenged itself to build the ultimate BOSS 302. Starting with the highly praised 2012 BOSS 302 as its canvas, GAS widened the car by nine inches with a custom, one-of-a-kind, hand-made all-metal wide-body. After being painted with special, GAS-mixed, matte orange pearl PPG paint and custom painted black BOSS graphics, the team added a ProCharger supercharger to make an already impressive vehicle even more impressive. To put the more than 700-hp to the ground, one-off forged 20-inch one-piece Forgiato wheels were wrapped in Pirelli 335/30/20 rear and 295/35/20 front tires. A Borla attack exhaust and Stoptech vented and grooved front/rear rotors round out the exterior. Inside, Galpin outfitted and custom painted a 6-point roll cage to match the exterior of the car. Finally, GAS custom painted a racing helmet that also matches the car!

3. 1000-HP 2012 Shelby Super Snake Wide-Body Mustang
This 2012 Shelby Super Snake boasts 1000-hp to the wheels! GAS took a monster and made it bigger, badder and louder by crafting a custom wide-body that adds nine inches to its waist and making it roar even more, adding electric exhaust cutouts that bypass the mufflers. In addition to the new bodywork and exhaust, GAS equipped this beast with lightweight three-piece wheels and super sticky Pirelli tires. Staying true to the old school, GAS sealed the rear quarter windows and then custom painted the car black with Tungsten Grey racing stripes.

4. 2011 Ford Focus RS 420
Though not available for the American market, Ford’s award-winning Focus RS has been modified by GAS to perform and look even better. Featuring a Mountune performance upgrade kit with an upgraded intake plenum, high flow turbo back exhaust, Stealth intercooler, high flow fuel injectors, custom GAS methanol injection system and custom ECU tune, the Galpin Focus RS is indeed a “Hot Hatch” producing 420-hp! The exterior is finished with black racing stripes and painted black wheels.

5. 2011 Ford F-650 4x4 XUV
Galpin created the ultimate everyday pickup capable of towing all your summer/winter toys and much more with this Ford F-650. What was once a heavy-duty "commercial vehicle,” this F-650 has undergone a proper pickup conversion with the addition of a truck bed and four-wheel drive for added utility, creating a street-ready XUV (Xtreme Utility Vehicle). Other modifications include the addition of 22x5 Alcoa Wheels with Michelin tires, an MBRP eight-inch exhaust stack, Turbo-Back exhaust system, polished stainless steel fuel tanks, and AMP Research retractable power steps. Inside, GAS installed a 900-watt sound system to match the 650’s mighty appearance and included a Kenwood 7180 with four FoCal 5x7 speakers, JL Audio 900x5 amplifier and a JL Audio Stealthbox.

6. 2012 Volvo S60 All-Wheel Drive
Taking a page from Volvo history and with the goal of giving the S60 a European racing feel, GAS started by painting this car with a custom classic pastel blue paint, fitting R-Design front and rear bumpers, a custom grille and diffuser as well as painting all exterior trim including the center roof panel, gloss black. To match its new look, GAS tuned the engine to produce 355-hp and lowered its stance with the help of Heico lowering springs. Completing the aggressive feel of the Galpin S60, lightweight 20-inch Forgiato three-piece wheels and performance tires were installed. The interior features custom blue leather seats with French stitching and piping that match the exterior. A custom suede headliner and dark navy custom carpet round out custom modifications.

7. 1968 Boss 351 Trans Am Ranchero
In just eight weeks, GAS and Galpin’s Classic Auto Service took a "junk yard dog" and created an awesome custom. The team first completely dismantled the car and then refurbished, rebuilt and modified each and every component of the vehicle. Powering this custom is a vintage BOSS 351 engine from Ford producing roughly 450-hp mated to an original Ford 4-speed transmission that was rebuilt and modified for road racing. Power is then transmitted through a Currie 9-inch rear end equipped with heavy-duty axles and 3:89 Trac-Lok gears. The vehicle’s suspension system incorporates a Total Control Products coil-over front suspension system and Maeco Motorsports-modified road racing rear suspension system. American Racing 17 x 9.5 427 Cobra style wheels with Nitto NT05 315 / 35 ZR 17 tires provide contact with the asphalt. Stopping this machine is a Wilwood 4-wheel disc brake system installed by Galpin’s Classic Auto Service and GAS. Inside, the car features a custom roll cage, Scat Elite bucket seats with a 5-point racing seat belt system. Keeping it old school, the factory-original AM radio was retained.

8. 2011 Ford Explorer XXVI
GAS set out to demonstrate its design and audio prowess with this exotic, yet tough, custom Explorer. It features a completely custom, one-of-a-kind, matte pearl paint designed by GAS and mixed by PPG called “Bruise Blue.” Complimenting the paint scheme are matching matte finished headlights and taillights as well as a custom fabricated grille. GAS then brought the Explorer closer to the ground using a set of Eibach springs that ride on 24-inch Savini Wheels shod with Pirelli rubber. A jaw-dropping completely custom interior was created featuring leather seats with genuine Stingray inserts as well as custom matching suede headliner that’s complemented by matching leather and suede door panels and an insane sound system. Digital amps provide an amazing 2150 watts to power 26 JL Audio speakers for theatre-quality surround sound that’s accented by LED trim. To top it all off, GAS installed an iPad that controls everything electronic, including the 360-degree camera that protects driver and passengers from paparazzi!

9. 2011 Ford Focus ATK
GAS is “attacking” the streets with this Focus ATK. The project started with a GAS-designed and fabricated custom front fascia and body kit. Next, GAS mixed a one-of-a-kind matte “Alchemy Grey” paint, coated with metallic gold pearl by PPG; the result is a finish that shifts color with each look at different angles. Complementing the head turning paint job are frosted taillights and gloss black accents and badges. GAS then finished off the exterior with Eibach lowering springs, a Borla exhaust system, 3d Carbon rear spoiler and gold powder coated Monotech 19x8.5 wheels. Inside, drivers and passengers will find, a complete custom Katzkin leather and suede interior as well as a crisp sound system powered by JL Audio featuring two eight-inch W7’s, two digital amplifiers and four 6.5-inch speakers housed in a custom enclosure.

10. 2011 Lotus Evora “R2R”
The goal for the Evora R2R was to take a stock 2011 2+2 Lotus Evora Coupe and redesign it as a street-legal version of the Lotus Type-124 track car. To begin, a front splitter, side sill extensions and rear wing uprights for the exterior were custom machined from aluminum, powder-coated black and installed; similar treatments were also given to the door mirror caps and wing tips. The custom fabricated rear spoiler, which incorporates the stock high-level brake light, is finished from fiberglass epoxy and painted to match the Quartz Silver body. After body modifications were complete, GAS added vinyl black racing stripes and door decals, including a nod to the Lotus’ British heritage; wingtips which incorporate Union Jack GAS logos. Sector 111 supplied the 19"/20" Evora Monza Wheels, which are finished in a flat black paint and paired with Hankook tires. A Flowmaster exhaust system gives the Evora a throaty growl and moves the peak horsepower closer to 300-hp. Inside, GAS added Alcantara seat inserts in a light gray color to match the Alcantara headliner.

11. Tony Hawk Explorer
The 2012 Tony Hawk Edition Ford Explorer was built for the 2011 Standup for Skateparks event in Las Vegas benefiting the Tony Hawk Foundation’s mission to build free public skateparks in low-income areas. On the exterior of the vehicle, GAS custom painted the Explorer in a monotone gray paint with blacked out front grille and trim. The team then added side vents and custom paint accents to the hood and also custom painted Tony Hawk logos to the fenders and rear liftgate. Finally, GAS fit a set of Savini multi-piece wheels paired to Pirelli performance tires. Inside, GAS added fully custom Katzkin leather interior, a set of custom skateboard racks and upgraded the in-car entertainment with a Sony Entertainment System and Sony PS3 Gaming Console.

12. 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Coupe – “AMWH”
The V12 Vantage coupe has been called the "fastest and most agile Vantage ever" and this one has been upgraded by GAS to include an all-pearl paint scheme with a flat matte finish that is also carried over inside, on the central veneer of the cockpit. Other exterior components, the front grill and chrome window surrounds, were painted black. Carbon fiber pieces from the Vantage Collection were also incorporated into the exterior door mirror caps, side sills, exterior side strakes, enhanced rear lip spoiler, interior upper door caps, interior A/C vents and three engine strut braces under the hood to complement the custom paint work. Seating surfaces remain stock with Chancellor Red semi-aniline leather and Alcantara finish. Under the lightweight hood, a free-flowing Flowmaster exhaust system was installed that enhances the exhaust note over and above the factory system and adds approximately 10-hp to the overall performance. Custom Forgiato 20-inch Aggio 5-spoke wheels are finished in matte black and paired with a set of super sticky Pirelli tires.
In addition to the 12 cars listed above debuting at the SEMA show this year, Galpin will also be bringing a fleet of nine other popular show cars. Other GAS-built project cars include a special F-150 on display in the Nitto booth; a trio of Mustangs, The SPX charity wide-body Mustang built to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a similar customer owned silver wide-body Mustang and a Gold Hot Wheels themed car; a 700-hp matte black GAS-built ’67 Chevelle, a custom ’58 Chevy Del-Ray, a Galpin-customized ’32 Ford Roadster and a pair of matching Jaguar XK’s, old and new.
Finally, a recently Galpin-acquired 1932 hot rod that held 13 Land speed world records on the Bonneville Salt Flats, “The Edelbrock Special” will be on display as part Ford’s tribute to its 110 years of racing involvement.

About Galpin Auto Sports
Galpin Auto Sports, located at 15600 Roscoe Blvd. in Van Nuys offers customizing and personalizing services on all new and pre-owned vehicles including collector and classic cars and is the official garage for MTV’s Pimp My Ride. For more information on Galpin Auto Sports’ unique products and services, please contact G.A.S. General Manager, Steve McCord (smccord@galpin.com), at (877)-GO-GAS-GO or visit the website at www.galpinautosports.com.

About Galpin Motors
Galpin Motors, the world’s largest volume Ford dealership for the 21st consecutive year was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. Galpin is comprised of a family of quality automobile brands including Ford, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Lotus Cars, Spyker, Honda, Lincoln, Subaru, Mazda and Volvo. For additional information on Galpin Motors contact Marketing Manager Jeff Skobin, 818-778-2540/ jeff@galpin.com, visit the dealer showrooms at 15500 and 15505 Roscoe Blvd. or visit the company website at www.galpin.com.