February 2003:
Dave has made a business of antique car restorations since the early 1970s, in Wiscasset Maine. He moved to Miane after spending a few vacations there, and enjoying the scenery and the general "freedom". He worked his way into automotive restoration almost as casually, just because it was something he enjoyed. "Life is great" he reports.
His shop is right in town, and he says he is flattered by the work that people and museums bring to him; it is a one man show that reaches accross the country and around the world. Besides the other stuff, he is also working a niche market in Italian motorcycles
He lives with his wife and two young children (2 and 4) in a farm house that dates back to 1758. We had a short discussion of the warmth and economy of wood heat one cold February evening.
Through the years Dave has also raced motorcycles and several categories of cars. He has written several articles about his work and has also been involved in competition shooting.
He is not "on line", although he said that the time will come soon. Too many of his traditional sources for parts and materials have abandoned printed cataloging and communication. He complained that he is being dragged into the present century.