Donnie Callaway, a mechanic famed for his restoration and maintenance of vintage Ferraris and other Italian sports cars, was arrested in early April in Arizona on charges including theft, trafficking stolen property, forgery, and fraud. According to Bloomberg, the 60-year-old Callaway was caught in a sting operation orchestrated by an unnamed collector who suspected Callaway of attempting to sell Ferraris that he did not legally own. The arrest took place in Maricopa County where Callaway is now held on a $400,000 cash bond, with his arraignment scheduled for April 17.
Callaway, who operates out of an airplane hangar north of Los Angeles, has been a noted figure in U.S. automotive circles, gaining recognition from celebrity car enthusiasts like Jay Leno and Matt Farah. Despite his reputation for quality work and fair rates, as cited by Farah, Callaway’s career has been marred by previous legal troubles and accusations from clients about overcharging. These recent charges have brought further attention to his troubled legal history, which includes multiple criminal convictions dating back to 2001 and ongoing lawsuits alleging serious offenses such as trying to sell cars he did not own and engaging in unfair business practices.
The mechanic’s arrest has shocked the Ferrari community and those who admired his work. An anonymous Instagram account was even created to share updates about his case, labeling him a “swindler” and circulating his mugshot. This case not only highlights Callaway’s fall from grace but also serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities and potential pitfalls within the collector car market. As the legal proceedings unfold, many in the automotive world are left questioning the integrity of a man once trusted with some of the most prestigious vehicles in the industry.
Shawn Henry