NORTH HILLS, Calif. -

A previous recipient of the CPO Dealer of the Year Award, southern California’s Galpin Motors recently announced its chairman and chief executive officer, Bert Boeckmann, was presented with Ford’s first Dealer Hall of Fame award in recognition of his lifetime of achievement, outstanding performance and inspirational leadership.

Additionally, Galpin Ford received more than 12 additional awards including being recognized as the No. 1 volume Ford dealership for a record 27 years in a row.

“The objective criteria is really, which of the dealers in this top volume group are universally admired, respected and loved by folks at Ford Motor Co., Ford Credit, by their employees and especially by other Ford dealers?” asked Mark LaNeve, Ford’s vice president of marketing sales and service to cheers from Galpin employees during a taped awards ceremony.

“It was my great honor to induct Bert Boeckmann into the Inaugural Ford Hall of Fame,” LaNeve added.

Boeckmann joined Galpin in 1953 as a salesman, and by 1957 at the age of 26, Boeckmann was general manager of the company. By 1968, he became president and majority stakeholder and the rest is history.

Today, Boeckmann is widely recognized as the most honored and successful automobile dealer in America. He has achieved a record of success for a single franchise, single location dealer that is unparalleled in the automotive retail industry and he constantly sets new industry standards for excellence.

During Used Car Week 2013 in San Diego, Boeckmann and Galpin Ford claimed the honor as the CPO Dealer of the Year; at the time just the third recipient of the accolade.

“My father is the most honest man I know, the hardest working person I know and sincerely cares about every customer and employee!” said Beau Boeckmann, president and chief operating officer of Galpin Motors. “Without his dedication to our customers and employees, Galpin would not be where it is today. I’m thankful to Ford for their support and recognition, and I couldn’t think of a better first-time recipient than my dad.”

Galpin, which celebrated its 70th anniversary last year, has always been a pioneer in the dealership industry, which is due in large part to Boeckmann’s leadership and forward-thinking.

In the 1960s, Galpin began leasing vehicles to individuals before dealerships were even leasing to companies. In 1966, Galpin opened America’s first in-dealership restaurant, The Horseless Carriage, which is still a success today. The dealership also coined the term “Galpinizing” for its world-renowned custom vehicles.

Today, Galpin operates 12 franchises in addition to its customization shop, Galpin Auto Sports.