In the late 60s, Galpin get-ready manager Bob Ferris was so frustrated with obstacles that confronted him when he was trucking off-road that he approached Bert Boeckmann with the idea of creating a custom 4×4 pickup for customers, ready to drive off the Galpin lot! At the time, truck sales were down nationally, so Galpin got creative, building a prototype Galpinized 4×4 that featured larger bumpers, chrome-plated winches, larger wheels and tires, a rifle rack, special paint and spotlights! 

The Galpinized truck was an instant hit! Sales if 4×4’s at Galpin soared from 2 a year to over 25 a month, an increase of 1500% in sales. Adding to the excitement, Galpinized 4×4’s quickly set off the 4×4 craze in Southern California and beyond. Ford Motor Company even asked Galpin to create a few prototype vehicles for a national advertising program!

The Bronco was sponsored by Galpin Ford and championed by driver/owner Bob Lewis. It traversed the rough desert terrain in Baja California, Mexico and was the first vehicle to ever feature KC headlights.