Boeckmann bets on a million-dollar super car

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- Los Angeles dealer and sports car tuner Beau Boeckmann has developed a $1 million Ford GT-based super car with a top speed of 225 miles per hour.

Boeckmann, president of Galpin Auto Sports, says he will declare the manufacturing venture a financial success if he sells just six of the Galpin Ford GTR1 models, which list for $1,024,000.

Because of the limited-edition tooling behind the hand-built car, the company can produce no more than 24 finished models, even if customers line up to buy it, Boeckmann said before displaying the first one to crowds at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on Sunday.

"There is a market for a car like this," said Boeckmann, whose family owns Galpin Motors, one of the largest private retail groups in the country and the world's largest Ford dealership.

"It's amazing how many million-dollar car purchases there are. I know several customers who will be interested in buying one."

Galpin used California coachbuilder Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters Inc. to hand build the body out of aluminum. Buyers will have their choice of an aluminum body or a carbon-fiber one. He said the price for an aluminum body GTR1 would be an additional $200,000.

The car runs on a twin-turbocharged 5.4-liter, V-8 engine that produces 1,024 hp and 739 pound feet of torque.

Boeckmann clarified that the 225 mph is an estimate because his sole prototype has not been tested for speed yet.

Galpin Auto Sports estimates that the GTR1 will perform 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds, and 0-100 in 6.8 seconds.

The car incorporates a specially adapted high-speed carbon-fiber braking system taken from F-22 fighter jets and used in Formula 1 racing.

The interior features machined aluminum instrument clusters, and hand-stitched free-range leather seats and door panels supplied by the 100-year-old Scottish leatherworks, Bridge of Weir.

Boeckmann said production and deliveries of the car will occur early next year.