The history of DTE Motorsports....

DTE Motorsports began in 1990 as a part time business.  In 1997, it became a full time passion.  David Twitchell, owner of DTE Motorsports, has always had a love of all things mechanical and his ability became apparent at the ealy age of nine when he and his father built the first of many go-carts.  From there he graduated into automobiles with his first restoration at the age of 16 being a 1963 Falcon Sprint.  From that powder blue convertible, his love of cars grew into a passion.

David received his first real training at East Coast Aero Tech in Lexington, MA.   It was here he earned a degree in Airframe and Power Plant, as well as earning his government A&P license.  After graduation, David was employed at a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Boston from 1972 to 1974.  While employed there, he had the opportunity to go to a Mercedes Benz factory school in Montvale, NJ. 

In 1974 David took a job with Alex Dearborn and Dearborn Automobile Company.  Here he learned valuable knowledge in the field of automotive restoration. After four years of education at Dearborn Auto, fellow employee Paul Russell bought the restoration side of Dearborn Auto and Gullwing Service Company was born with Paul, David and Alex Finnegan. 

In the many years to come, Gullwing Service would make many moves from Marblehead, MA to Topsfield, until finally coming to reside in Essex, MA.  As the company grew, David moved from mechanic to Lead Mechanic and Shop Foreman. 

In 1997 David, was was living up in Brentwood, NH, an hour's drive from the shop, decided it was time to venture out on his own.  He began full time work at his home in Brentwood.  It wasn't long after that decision was made, that demand grew for his services, and more space was needed.  In 2001, David moved to his present location in a large industrial park on Route 125 in Brentwood.  Here, he had 7,000 square feet of space in which to spread out, and room enough to hire a few employees to help with the large volume of work that was coming in. 

David's expertise is in Mercedes' of the 1950's, '60's, and early '70's, primarily 300SLs, 300S(C)s, 300SEL 6.3s, all 280 SE(L) variants, 220 S(E)s and 190SLs.  He also gained experience in many other marques such as Ferrari, Bugatti, early Porsche, and select other limited edition makes.  Makes including street rods, Cunningham, and various classic race cars to name a few.

To date, David has restored or serviced 350+ 300SLs.  His past training on aircrafts have given him a diverse set of skills including welding, machining, sheet metal working, and electrical.  In addition to vast mechanical skills with engines, transmissions, and rear ends.  He is especially adept at diagnostics in all facets of automotive work.

He continues his work at the shop in Brentwood.  Always ready for a new challenge, he has recently taken up the sport of vintage car racing, getting his license with Vintage Sports Car Club of America (VSCCA).  He races a customer's 1954 Kurtis with VSCCA and with Vintage Racer Group (VRG) at various tracks from New Hampshire to West Virginia.

Along with being a member of these race groups, David is also a member of Mercedes Benz Club of America, 356 Porsche Registry, Gullwing Group International, BMW Car Club of America, and Mustang Car Club of America. Links to all these clubs can be found on our Links page.