Galpin Ford Signs Option on Burbank Site

Galpin Ford has signed an option to buy 8 acres in Burbank for $12.75 million at the site of the former Zero Corp. manufacturing plant in order to expand its auto business.

“We’ve been looking at that property for over a year and a half,” said Bert Boeckmann, the owner of Galpin Ford.

Galpin hasn’t decided what car franchise it will set up at the new Burbank site, but Boeckmann said the land has room for new and used cars, plus parts and service operations.

Galpin’s option is for 90 days, plus a 30-day extension, on the site near Burbank Boulevard and west of the Golden State Freeway.

George Daniels, Zero’s chief financial officer, said Galpin signed the option a few days ago.

Zero Corp., headquartered in Los Angeles, moved its Burbank operation to Utah in 1991 and the company has been leasing out its Burbank site since then.

Galpin, which calls itself the biggest retail volume Ford dealership in the country, also sells Saturn, Lincoln-Mercury and Jaguar new cars.

Boeckmann said that last year his firm sold about 20,000 new and used vehicles.