Gearheads of Montgomery - Dave Tortolani

By Jake Schwarzman | Posted July 11, 2024

A resident of Montgomery Township since 1994, Dave Tortolani, now a principal scientist at Bristol Myers Squibb, grew up in North Providence, RI, where his passion for cars began at a young age. At the age of 10 or 11, Tortolani recalls spotting a C3 Corvette while driving along with his father, instantly sparking his deep passion for automobiles.

FAST CARS: Dave Tortolani with two of his cars.

As he got older, Motor Trend Magazine helped him express his love for cars before he was able to drive. When he turned 16, Tortolani received his father’s 1970 Chevrolet Impala. With this he began to learn some basic mechanical knowledge and maintenance as needed. “Back in the day, cars were easier to work on,” he said.

When he turned 18, Tortolani purchased a 1970 Camaro Rally Sport from his Uncle Sal for $500, further engaging himself into the world of automobiles, and introducing him into performance automobiles, and opening up a can of worms into the world of automotive modifications. Tortolani went on to drive his Rally Sport Camaro through college, and into grad school until he parked it. Still not being able to afford a Corvette while in college, he bought another Camaro, this time a 1982 Z28 Camaro.

Following this car, he bought a 1988 Fox Body Mustang LX 5.0 brand new, which was faster than his previous Camaro. “If there was one car I regret selling, it was my Fox Body, it was a blast to drive” Shortly after moving to Montgomery Township, Tortolani pulled the trigger on his first Corvette in 1994, fulfilling his childhood dream.

Now officially a Corvette owner, Tortolani started getting into the scene of drag racing at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown. In 2004, while still owning the C4, Tortolani purchased a 1999 Nassau Blue C5 Corvette, with the full intention of building it into a drag racing car. Tortolani owns his C5 to this day. “I have no intentions of ever selling it,” he said.

Advertisement

Since then, Tortolani sold his C4 to buy a C6, then sold his C6 to buy a C7, and recently sold his C7 and is on the waiting list for a brand new C8 Z06 Corvette. Tortolani Still enjoys the occasional drag race at Island Dragway. However, since the closing of Raceway Park in 2017, and Atco Dragway in 2021, on top of life simply getting in the way, he doesn’t get out as often as years past.

Tortolani does still enjoy local car shows, such as Hopewell Borough’s Annual Cruise Night. He attends car events with his two daughters, who have also taken a liking to the world of automobiles. His youngest daughter frequents car shows and pop-up meets in the area.

Are you a local resident with a fast car?

Email editor@themontynews.com to be featured here. Use the title "Fast Car" in the subject line.