EVERYTHING STARTS WITH A DREAM, DREAM WORKS GARAGE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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After the ups and subsequent downs of the economy over the past five years, auto restoration has gone through a reckoning, and one of the solid performers to emerge is Dream Works Garage in South Australia. Founded by John Dente, the ever-expanding workshop is continually recognised for excellence in fabrication, mechanics, and overall finish, which is the culmination of a quality team and a solid work ethic.

“I’ve always been into cars since school, but while a lot of my friends were into Australian cars, I was always into the US stuff,” explains 54-year-old John, a born-and-bred South Aussie. “One of the things that really drew me in was ‘Running on Empty’; that movie was a big influence on me as a kid.”

Once school was out, John followed a cousin into the building industry but dabbled in US classics, recalling a black ’66 Corvette and a ’64 Impala SS, among others. In 1994, he crossed over to a commercial cleaning business, advancing through management during his 11-year tenure. Taking the advice of a mentor, he would ultimately launch his own cleaning company, Exact Cleaning and Maintenance, and hasn’t looked back.

Meanwhile, his passion for cool cars and Americana only strengthened for John, but as his collection of vehicles and memorabilia expanded, so did family commitments.

“But the dream was always there to do something for myself,” he recalls. “I had friends with cars going through different stages of builds and getting frustrated with the industry – not getting finished on time, cars sitting for seven or eight years. As I got older, I had to decide what is the next chapter.”

That would be the formation of Dream Works Garage, circa 2016, in a small space at his Mile End facility. In a very short time, John outgrew the premises and relocated to a 3,000-square-meter property at Marleston, where Dream Works Garage and his cleaning company operate side by side. And they’re still expanding, with an additional 350 square metres of factory soon to be dedicated to the DW body shop.

John’s initial business plan involved Frank Bria, a master engine builder at Maxwill Racing Engines, who he enticed to play a key role in operations. Along with lifetime friend Nick Totsikas and a team of other trusted craftsmen, the shop can now efficiently handle almost every aspect of automotive restoration and modification.

“We’re a family here; I don’t see myself as a boss; we’re just great friends. Everyone helps each other, which is how I like it, and everyone is self-sufficient – I try to take out all the speed bumps in any business we do.”

The shop was packed with projects during our visit, ranging from faithful restorations to full house pro-touring Corvettes. The main workshop, engine building room and even the machining area are kept spotless, as one might expect from a bloke in the cleaning game. All work and no play it is not, however, with regular BBQs and music plumbed throughout to keep morale at a peak.

While John Dente’s motto of ‘Everything starts with a dream’ might have been the catalyst for the company, be assured that Dream Works Garage has been built on hard work and sacrifice, just as many of the cars within will be.

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https://www.dreamworksgarage.com.au