Entering Bonfanti Garage is like stepping back in time. Pre-war and post-war vehicles rest atop raised lifts, hoods open, awaiting complete restoration or meticulous maintenance. They bear the signatures of masters such as Zagato, Touring, Pininfarina, Castagna... for Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Porsche, MG, Ferrari, Bentley, Isotta Fraschini, and other marques which disappeared over the years. Their stories are is rich with trophies and accolades; all represent special moments of our history.

At Bonfanti Garage, collectors and enthusiasts from around the world come together. Americans, Asians, and Europeans are united by a universal language - the roar of engines which can captivate you merely by looking at them. Each car is thoroughly analysed, studied in its uniqueness, and respected for its character. In some cases, minor ailments are repaired, while in others, its rusted skeleton comes back to life, its heart starts beating again, its beauty restored - and there it goes, racing to make the hearts of enthusiasts beat, especially for the fortunate owner.

For over half a century, Bonfanti Garage has been restoring motorcars with the utmost craftsmanship. For over half a century, it has provided history, culture, emotions, teary eyes, and tremendous pleasure

The task of the restorer is not to replace but to make it work. It's a mission requiring intellect, reasoning, and study. The restorer who performs a restoration with craftsmanship undertakes a rare and special task.

At Bonfanti Garage, restoring means analysing the vehicle, examining its historical context, consulting technical archives, and gathering the necessary documentation to ensure that both the aesthetic appearance as well as the historical value are flawlessly respected. When a replacement part is not available, we source it within the international collector community; if it doesn't exist, we reconstruct it using materials and procedures that faithfully reflect the techniques of the era, even if it's just for a bolt. Here, engines and mechanical components are repaired and fine-tuned, and the entire mechanics are overhauled. A vehicle meticulously restored in every aspect is then delivered: mechanics, bodywork, upholstery, electrics - thanks to a network of close collaborators operating under the coordination and supervision of Bonfanti Garage. It is the work of a team with highly specialised bodywork shops, employing vintage hand-planing methods, along with upholsterers and electricians specialised in using methods and materials from times past.

For Bonfanti Garage, restoring means immersing oneself in the historical context to understand the vehicle in its uniqueness; knowing every detail, respecting the design and production characteristics in their forms, colours, materials, and style.

What emerges is an authentic car, ready to be presented at the most renowned Concours d'Elegance, competitions, and international contests, from the Mille Miglia to Pebble Beach. It's ready to obtain the Homologation Certificate, a document that becomes an added value to its pedigree. It's ready to maintain or exceed its market value. It's ready to race on the roads of the world, steered by its owner who becomes an ambassador of the classic car movement. It's ready to provide satisfaction and enjoyment with its roar and extraordinary beauty.

People who knew Luigi Bonfanti, or “Gigi” for his friends, speak of a man who was legendary for that passion that made him a standard setter in the classic car movement in Italy and abroad. It is thanks to him that the name Bonfanti has been an international point of reference as specialist restorers of classic collectors’ cars for over half a century!

Gigi was born in 1930 in Bassano del Grappa as the son of the architect Francesco Bonfanti. In 1955 he joined Alfa Romeo’s customer service. As an enthusiast and owner of vintage Alfa Romeos when the classic car movement was in its infancy in Italy, he made his hobby his profession. His friendships with engine designers of the calibre of Garcea, Chiti, Bizzarini, Nicolis, Sezza, Raffa and test drivers like Sanesi, Bonini and Moroni contributed to his development.

His first restoration, a 1928 Lancia Lambda Torpedo, was completed in 1962, and was the beginning of a long line of restoration projects alongside his expert master mechanic Antonio Berto.

In only a few years the Alfa Romeo dealership in Bassano, of which he had become proprietor, became the venue for a handful of enthusiasts and collectors who in 1960 founded the C.V.A.E. (Circolo Veneto Automoto d'Epoca), after the branch in Rome only the second classic car organisation in Italy. In 1982 he sold the dealership and opened Bonfanti Garage, just outside the city. After his untimely passing the automotive museum “Museo Bonfanti-Vimar” was founded and dedicated to him.

It was the year 1990 when Gigi’s first-born Francesco Bonfanti – then a mere 24 years old – decided to continue his father’s work. In time he expanded the core business of restoring pre-war Alfa Romeos and included other prestigious marques like Ferrari, Lancia, Isotta Fraschini, Porsche, Maserati and Aston Martin, in addition to other now defunct manufacturers - motorcars designed by maestri like Touring, Zagato, Pininfarina and Castagna. Francesco welcomed clients from the United States to Russia, from Scandinavia to Southern Europe, and transformed Bonfanti Garage into an international point of reference for authentic restorations as well as a place of worship and deep knowledge of vintage cars.

His work consists of scrupulous analysis, complex research and a dedicated network of people who often become great friends. His work experience consists of 30 years of restoration and consultancy, of engine tuning and road tests, of difficulties and solutions found, developed and put into practice for the clients of Bonfanti Garage.

Then there are his other hats, the hat of Board Member of a prestigious Club for which he organises rallies and events; the hat of Technical Appraiser where he evaluates classic cars in detail for homologation purposes and the hat of organiser and speaker at important national and international events. All these contacts and his work on thousands of motorcars have allowed him to build and consolidate a huge well of technical knowledge which he shares with his clients and all enthusiasts, propelled by a unique engine of emotions: the classic car!