Wild Wheels

San Fernando Valley car dealer Galpin Motors knows a few things about selling supercars. Now it knows about building them as well. The North Hills dealership is taking orders for its Galpin Ford GTR1, a sleek twin turbocharged sports car with a 330-cubic-inch, 1,024 horsepower engine capable of 225 mph. The carbon fiber version costs $1 million, while for the aluminum body versions add another $200,000. And when you come to a stop, it’s done with brakes similar to those used on Formula One racing cars and fighter jets. The staff at Galpin Auto Sports designed the car and worked with Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters Inc. in Fountain Valley on the fabricating of the bodywork. The body is then returned to Galpin’s customization department, Galpin Auto Sports, for final assembly. The engine, steering wheel and seats are outsourced to another company. The car debuted in August at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and was on display at this month’s L.A. Auto Show. Galpin requires a $100,000 deposit for the car, which will be limited to only 24 so as to increase its exclusivity, said Stuart McIntosh, the brand manager for the Galpin Premier Collection who oversaw the GTR1 project. The starting point for the car’s design was a modern interpretation of the Ford GT, which the carmaker made from 2004 to 2006. “It is a great conversation piece with clients,” McIntosh said. – Mark R. Madler