Northshore Magazine

ne Holiday it ide estoto oet et nati tils nde the hd a intae ca in his ale sace. honed his skills at the renowned aul Rus- sell and Company in Essex for 1 years be- fore launching his own successful cuderia Donati restoration business in Ipswich. But it was his and alter's passion for pedigree European cars from the 19s, 19s, and early 19s—widely regarded as the golden age of motoring—that fueled their decision to launch olante Classics. ervices include full coachwork, as Sale restorer is creating a new golden age of otoring for intage and classic rea re uroean car enthusiasts. as rber dai when he first dis- covered his passion for cars and he'll take you back to his early childhood, tinkering in his father's workshop in Modena, in the heart of Italy's ran Turismo country. This comes naturally to me. It's in my blood, he says with a smile, recalling the many happy times he spent at his father's side learning the meticulous detail and pre- 60 nshoremag.com December 2012 interior and running gear renovation, restoration, and maintenance at the alem workshop, as well as secure onsite storage in a new climate-controlled facility in North Canaan, CT. olante also oers an inspection, evalu- ation, and delivery service for customers wanting to buy vintage and classic cars from Europe, capitaliing on Donati's deep knowledge of car authenticity, model histo- ries, factory specifications, period-correct modifications and accessories, not to men- tion his extensive contacts in Europe. I'm not your typical vintage car dealer because I hand pick them, he says. I like to know the history, ownership, and prov- enance—all things that come into play. I don't buy online. I go and make sure the car is what it's claimed to be. Donati has made three trips to Europe cision craftsmanship of car restoration. Four decades later, those invaluable lessons, passed from one generation to the next, form the bedrock of olante Classics, a burgeoning restoration, main- tenance, and storage service for vintage and classic European sports and touring cars, in downtown alem. While the company is relatively new—Donati joined forces with wamp- scott-based businessman and classic car enthusiast Robert alter only a year ago—this talented Italian transplant has never steered away from his lifelong career as a car restorer. After moving to America in 19, Donati this year, inspecting to cars, and buy- ing only four, including a Lancia Fulvia 19 rally car from Italy, which he sold recently to a high-profile East Coast collector. While he has restored many rare and expensive cars, including a TO— The Holy rail of vintage Ferraris as he describes it—Donati says olante will largely trade cars under 1,. These are cars you can buy for a rea- sonable amount and have the same fun as a million vintage Ferrari, he adds. Our cars are for people who are not ashy with their cars but who want a dream drive. It's all about enjoying your passion for driv- ing. ontessis.o.—e ay htahs n het

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