Founder, owner, master engine builder.
Born with a natural talent and curiosity, Frank built his first car from scratch when he was just 16. For his next project, he rebuilt the engine of his father’s Ferrari 212 Inter. When it came to setting the timing, he couldn’t make out the markings written in Italian.
Bringing the car to the famed Luigi Chinetti Motors in the Bronx, the mechanics were blown away by the work that this teenager had done on his own. He was hired on the spot.
Frank went on to spend 21 years specializing almost exclusively in Ferrari, mastering every aspect of these complex, revered machines. In this time, Frank worked alongside Alberto Pedretti (North American Racing Team), was a Lamborghini representative, attended the Aeronautical Engineering School at Saint Louis University (earning an FAA Airframe and Powerplants license), and opened his own shop in Miami (The Coachmen).
In 1991 he founded the Black Horse Garage with one goal in mind – to service and restore Europe’s finest automobiles. He’s since built a loyal following of customers who return again and again, and refer their friends.
What project are you most proud of?
“An interesting one that comes to mind is a 1920 Renault that arrived here in pieces many years ago – literally in boxes and Mason jars. After spending nine months putting it together, we took part in The Great Race, a 4200-mile rally from Philadelphia to San Rafael, Calif. When you’re spending 400-plus miles a day behind the wheel of an 80-year old car, you realize how advanced the engineering was for its time. It was a wonderful experience.”
What sets Black Horse Garage apart?
“It comes down to knowing and appreciating a higher level of perfection. If you’ve never heard a perfectly tuned Ferrari V12, for instance, you don’t have a frame of reference. It’s not something you can fake. After close to 50 years, it becomes second nature. So when you set out for perfection, you know how to get there.”
Do you have a responsibility to these vintage cars?
“Absolutely! When you’re working, for instance, on a French car like that 1920 Renault, you have to think like the Frenchman who built it. You have to look for the clues he’s left behind. You have to respect the smallest details, like the way he bent the ends of his cotter pins – that was his signature! Each car carries its own genealogy and we’re responsible to look after it.”