Galpin to debut 1,000 horsepower supercar at Pebble Beach

Long known as a place that sells cars, Galpin Auto Sports is getting in the business of building them.

The Van Nuys-based shop, which is owned by Galpin Motors, will debut a supercar with as much as 1,000 horsepower at several events during the Monterey Car Week in August.

The Galpin Ford GTR1 is based on the Ford GT supercar, which was sold from 2004 to 2006. Galpin says its GTR1 is “an interpretation of what the GT may have looked and performed like had it continued its evolution.�

The GTR1 will sit on the chassis of an existing Ford GT. Customers can either bring in their existing Ford GT for the modifications or have Galpin find a GT to convert.

Galpin will then replace the old body with a handcrafted all-aluminum or a carbon fiber body, both of which are five inches wider than the Ford GT. The GTR1 body will be built by Fountain Valley-based Metalcrafters.

The GTR1 will have a 5.4-liter Ford V-8, which will be twin turbocharged. Galpin hasn’t officially measured the engine’s output but says it’s capable of an estimated 1,024 horsepower, 739 pound-feet of torque, and a 225 mph top speed.

The actual technical specifications will be ready in time for the car’s debut in August, Galpin said.

Other features on the GTR1 include 20-inch wheels, six-piston brakes with full carbon rotors and a McIntosh sound system.

The number of cars Galpin builds will depend on customer demand, though it could be as few as a dozen or so. Pricing has yet to be announced but could be more than $1 million.

The official car will debut at the Quail Motorsports Gathering on Aug. 16 in Carmel. It will also be shown on the concept lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Aug. 18.

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