The Real Deal.
By Jonathan Campbell
DK Engineering isn’t just a company. It’s an extended family of passionate car people and one of the greatest automotive companies in the world. It’s also a perfect example of Considered Consumption, as they only deal in the very best and you can trust them to do so […]
DK Engineering is nothing if not discreet. As I pull onto their property, there’s a small, perfectly formed stainless steel sign telling me I’m in the right place. I park my old Jaguar in the immaculate visitors parking area, feeling a little ashamed that I haven’t had her washed for this visit. So far, there’s no evidence that this is one of the greatest automotive companies in the world.
I’m buzzed through the solid wooden door and step into the world of DK Engineering, which is like stepping into the very best flagship stores of Ralph Lauren and Dunhill. The reception is stylish, with sumptuous leather club chairs. Displayed in the perfect cabinetry are real trophies, won for racing or for cars that they’ve restored. There's interesting automobilia everywhere, including banks of Ferrari carburettors. Then I notice a Maserati motorcycle parked up against the wall – I didn’t even know Maserati made motorcycles.
Greeted by a smile, I’m asked to sign in by scanning a QR code, bringing a high-tech experience into this otherwise vintage-inspired setting. As I settle into one of the club chairs, I realise that the glass coffee table is a large Ferrari steering wheel. It’s beautiful. I can’t resist turning the pages of one of the coffee table books. It’s the history of DK Engineering, from the company’s creation in 1977, by David and Kate Cottington. It’s a wonderful record, with old photographs documenting all the cars they have restored.
Again, I am greeted with smiles and a passionate enthusiasm. I can see and feel the love the guys have for their work. They are just as happy servicing the cars as they are working on a full nut-and-bolt restoration. I didn’t want to keep them from their work, so we moved on, turning a corner to be greeted by yet another Enzo. But behind that lies a sight that literally made me gasp out loud. Two Guards Red Porsche 959s. Yes, two. I know, I went a bit giddy.
To recover, we move on to the company meeting room, which is the lounge all men dream of. There’s a gallery of automotive photos on the walls, signed racing driver’s helmets, books. On display stands are a 1/3 scale model of a Ferrari 250 TR and a 1/3 scale Enzo engine. There’s a comfortable ease about the room. It’s not a museum; it’s just a lovely place to be.
I’m there to meet Managing Director and son of the company’s founders, James Cottingham. Not only does he run the best complete service car business (sales, restoration, service, storage), but he's also a racing driver for United Autosports in the FIA World Endurance Championship. I ask if he was at Le Mans last year (I go every year) and he very politely confirms that he was. As he’s answering, I realise that he was driving in the race. I feel a little stupid. He’s the personification of the company: polite, understated, passionate and a perfectionist. He’s fluent in all things automotive but his depth of knowledge of Ferrari, in particular, is astounding. We have a very enjoyable conversation for exactly an hour, then he’s off to his next appointment.
Monique shows me out through the gorgeous reception. I have to sit in the car for a moment to process everything I've just experienced. My little consultancy, The Obsessive, has a website where I extol the virtues of Considered Consumption: buy the best you can, in short. I feel that DK Engineering is a perfect example of Considered Consumption, as they only deal in the very best and you can trust them to do so. DK Engineering isn’t just a company. It’s an extended family of passionate car people.
They’re the real deal.
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This is when it hits me that I haven’t walked into an exclusive club or flagship store. I’m not in a high-end, glossy dealership. I’m in something very real. I’m in the middle of a family home, dedicated to their love and passion for all things automotive – and particularly Ferrari.
As if by magic, Monique appears and offers to show me around. We exit the reception through a side door and the wonderful aroma of cars is immediate. There’s a row of incredible cars starting with an F40, then an Enzo, followed by a 288 GTO. We then turn a corner and I’m met with one of my favourite cars of all time: a Jaguar XKSS Continuation, painted with a cellulose that gives it that original look but that also means that as it ages, it will patina perfectly.
It reminds me of those fantastic shots by John Dominis of Steve McQueen driving his 'Green Rat' XKSS. Then there’s Michael Schumacher’s 1991 Jordan-Ford 191, which was his F1 debut car, just sitting there, a bona fide piece of automotive history. Next to it is a one-of-one “Nero” Pagani Zonda, looking like a black jewel. We then step outside and cross the spotless yard, walking past 1 of only 9 Enzo's finished in silver.
We arrive at the restoration and servicing garage. I guess that’s where we were, as leaning up against the wall in a neat line is a set of handmade Borrani wire wheels from a vintage Ferrari. At this point I thought I might see the oily side of the business, but no. The garage is spotless, like an operating theatre. It reminds me of the F1 teams I’ve visited in the past, except here it is exotic vintage cars being fettled to perfection.
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