‘Every car has a tale to tell' at Bay Area's world-famous showcase of vintage vehicles
Mark Zagorski surveyed the fleet of classic cars on Lorton Avenue in Burlingame on Saturday morning before his gaze fell on his 1976 BMW 2002 sitting among them.
He was a little nervous, he admitted, wondering what spectators would think.
He has spent more than 10 years working on this car, a jalopy fading into decrepitude when he found it rusting away on a repair shop lot in Merced back in 2013.
The car was one of dozens being featured this weekend at the 69th annual Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance, the region's longest-running vintage car show and the world's oldest continually running classic car parade and contest.
'Every car has a tale to tell,' said Glen Egan, the world-famous car contest's chairman. 'That's a big part of what I love.'
The event began with a kickoff party Friday, followed by a meet-and-greet with car owners Saturday, followed by a two-hour road rally through Bay Area back roads, and then a group lunch.
The final event is Sunday's car show at the Crystal Springs Golf Course in Burlingame, highlighting about 200 vintage sports cars built before 1993. Organizers expect 3,000 to 3,500 people to attend, with proceeds from the event supporting several Bay Area nonprofits.
Zagorski's story — and that of his BMW — is a saga that stretches back half a century to his first job, as a teenage apprentice at an auto mechanic on Long Island back in 1979.
Then 16, Zagorski spent his afternoons and weekends at Little Cars LTD, learning from his old boss, Ivan Snyder.
They worked on Volkswagen Beetles and Plymouth Valiants, and the occasional Volvo.
He learned how to change oil, rebuild engines, and smooth out dents and dings with Bondo body filler, sanding the work smooth until it looked good as new.
He loved taking an engine apart, trying to figure out what was wrong, and putting it back together.
'I was super curious,' he recalled. 'What's in front of me — and how do I get it back to how it should be?'
Zagorski paused.
No, he said. He wanted to be an engineer.
He went to school, got a degree in mechanical engineering, and then spent his career as a sales engineer, working with industrial manufacturing firms.
After his sons went to school, however, he began looking for a hobby and in 2013 spotted a BMW 2002 like the one his old boss had owned back when he was getting his hands dirty at that first job at Little Cars.
All the wheels were flat. There was a ding on the passenger-side door where a Cadillac had driven into it, the paint was oxidizing badly, the engine block was sitting in the trunk, and the transmission was hanging on the car frame by a coat hanger.
He fell in love anyway, and bought it on the spot.
He began restoring the car slowly — but the process would ultimately send him to Los Angeles and San Diego, and working with businesses on the East Coast and as far as Germany as he sought to return the car to its former glory.
During COVID, his employer grounded all its employees, and Zagorski and his son, Josef, redoubled their efforts.
He learned to weld, rebuilding damaged sections of the frame bit by bit. He sent the transmission to specialists on the East Coast, and tinkered on the engine with a neighbor who worked at a nearby machine shop. He found a whole community online of other BMW enthusiasts who helped him source parts and track down experts who could help.
During the pandemic, he drove to Los Angeles for business meetings — and picked up an original set of seats and door panels — then drove even farther, to San Diego, to have a specialty upholsterer work on them.
Every so often, he called his old boss, talking about the project and asking for advice.
He still uses the tools he bought while working for Snyder, a ratchet handle set he got when he was 17.
Sometimes, Snyder said, Zagorski's questions were too complex, and he didn't have much to offer. But when Zagorski told him he needed some machining done, he told him not to show up at the auto shop empty-handed — he should take some iced tea with him.
'If you have something in hand, he'll have to stop and talk to you,' he said in a phone interview Friday. 'Because of that, they became good friends.'
'He was a great pair of hands, I wish I had 10 people like him,' Snyder continued. 'I hope his car gets a little recognition.'
Zagorski sent the dashboard to a shop in Los Angeles, ordered a carpet kit from another in Texas, and ordered 'a bunch of stuff' from businesses in Germany.
He swapped out the engine for a better one and had another auto shop modify the frame to allow for modern shock absorbers.
The difference was 'night and day,' he said. Faster. Smoother. Quieter. At 70 mph and 3,000 rpm, the engine purred.
'I just love the way the car drives.'
For Vince Chiaro, another concours attendee who was showing his Porsche, the story began as a college student 25 years ago, when he and his landlord bonded over their mutual love of cars. They attended car shows regularly together for more than a decade. A few years ago, the Burlingame resident, now 46, learned that before his landlord died, he'd told his relatives to offer Chiaro the option of buying his treasured 1960 Porsche 356 Roadster. Chiaro didn't hesitate.
'It's a time machine from a simpler era,' he said Saturday, standing in front of the bright red convertible as spectators trickled by.
'It's the intersection of cars, culture and technology,' Egan said. 'There's a level of care and attention these folks put into getting their car to concours level. … It's great to see that.'
Saturday's event included nearly 100 classic and luxury vehicles from across the globe: vehicles from Ferrari, Porsche, Maserati, McClaren. There was a meticulous VW bus, lovingly restored, a vintage Ford Bronco.
Spectators oohed and aahed as they gazed at the vehicles.
'I want that one!' cried 2½-year-old Elliot Schmidt, pointing at a Ferrari SP2 Monza from the arms of his 34-year-old dad, Chris Schmidt. 'It's the Batmobile!'
The supercars sell for $1.8 million.
A surprise star of the show was the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, looming over the low-slung sports cars.
Show organizers had requested the Wienermobile for 10 years, said 22-year-old Zoe 'Zoweenie' Smith, one of the vehicle's two drivers.
'We finally made it happen,' she said with a laugh. 'It's amazing to be here with all these amazing classic cars, and everyone is excited to see the Wienermobile.'
Steve Turtzo, 42, drank in the cars with his 7-year-old son, Duke.
The pair try to go to car shows on weekends, Turtzo said, because Duke loves cars so much.
'It's exciting to see all these cars in pristine condition in our town,' he said as Duke waved at the cars.
Just after 10 a.m., the tour's organizers ordered drivers to their vehicles. They had a two-hour journey ahead of them before lunch.
Zagorski walked back to his car with his wife, Stephanie D'Ornellas.
He climbed in and turned the key. The engine growled to life, joining the hum of motors from dozens of others.
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San Francisco Chronicle
7 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘Every car has a tale to tell' at Bay Area's world-famous showcase of vintage vehicles
Mark Zagorski surveyed the fleet of classic cars on Lorton Avenue in Burlingame on Saturday morning before his gaze fell on his 1976 BMW 2002 sitting among them. He was a little nervous, he admitted, wondering what spectators would think. He has spent more than 10 years working on this car, a jalopy fading into decrepitude when he found it rusting away on a repair shop lot in Merced back in 2013. The car was one of dozens being featured this weekend at the 69th annual Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance, the region's longest-running vintage car show and the world's oldest continually running classic car parade and contest. 'Every car has a tale to tell,' said Glen Egan, the world-famous car contest's chairman. 'That's a big part of what I love.' The event began with a kickoff party Friday, followed by a meet-and-greet with car owners Saturday, followed by a two-hour road rally through Bay Area back roads, and then a group lunch. The final event is Sunday's car show at the Crystal Springs Golf Course in Burlingame, highlighting about 200 vintage sports cars built before 1993. Organizers expect 3,000 to 3,500 people to attend, with proceeds from the event supporting several Bay Area nonprofits. Zagorski's story — and that of his BMW — is a saga that stretches back half a century to his first job, as a teenage apprentice at an auto mechanic on Long Island back in 1979. Then 16, Zagorski spent his afternoons and weekends at Little Cars LTD, learning from his old boss, Ivan Snyder. They worked on Volkswagen Beetles and Plymouth Valiants, and the occasional Volvo. He learned how to change oil, rebuild engines, and smooth out dents and dings with Bondo body filler, sanding the work smooth until it looked good as new. He loved taking an engine apart, trying to figure out what was wrong, and putting it back together. 'I was super curious,' he recalled. 'What's in front of me — and how do I get it back to how it should be?' Zagorski paused. No, he said. He wanted to be an engineer. He went to school, got a degree in mechanical engineering, and then spent his career as a sales engineer, working with industrial manufacturing firms. After his sons went to school, however, he began looking for a hobby and in 2013 spotted a BMW 2002 like the one his old boss had owned back when he was getting his hands dirty at that first job at Little Cars. All the wheels were flat. There was a ding on the passenger-side door where a Cadillac had driven into it, the paint was oxidizing badly, the engine block was sitting in the trunk, and the transmission was hanging on the car frame by a coat hanger. He fell in love anyway, and bought it on the spot. He began restoring the car slowly — but the process would ultimately send him to Los Angeles and San Diego, and working with businesses on the East Coast and as far as Germany as he sought to return the car to its former glory. During COVID, his employer grounded all its employees, and Zagorski and his son, Josef, redoubled their efforts. He learned to weld, rebuilding damaged sections of the frame bit by bit. He sent the transmission to specialists on the East Coast, and tinkered on the engine with a neighbor who worked at a nearby machine shop. He found a whole community online of other BMW enthusiasts who helped him source parts and track down experts who could help. During the pandemic, he drove to Los Angeles for business meetings — and picked up an original set of seats and door panels — then drove even farther, to San Diego, to have a specialty upholsterer work on them. Every so often, he called his old boss, talking about the project and asking for advice. He still uses the tools he bought while working for Snyder, a ratchet handle set he got when he was 17. Sometimes, Snyder said, Zagorski's questions were too complex, and he didn't have much to offer. But when Zagorski told him he needed some machining done, he told him not to show up at the auto shop empty-handed — he should take some iced tea with him. 'If you have something in hand, he'll have to stop and talk to you,' he said in a phone interview Friday. 'Because of that, they became good friends.' 'He was a great pair of hands, I wish I had 10 people like him,' Snyder continued. 'I hope his car gets a little recognition.' Zagorski sent the dashboard to a shop in Los Angeles, ordered a carpet kit from another in Texas, and ordered 'a bunch of stuff' from businesses in Germany. He swapped out the engine for a better one and had another auto shop modify the frame to allow for modern shock absorbers. The difference was 'night and day,' he said. Faster. Smoother. Quieter. At 70 mph and 3,000 rpm, the engine purred. 'I just love the way the car drives.' For Vince Chiaro, another concours attendee who was showing his Porsche, the story began as a college student 25 years ago, when he and his landlord bonded over their mutual love of cars. They attended car shows regularly together for more than a decade. A few years ago, the Burlingame resident, now 46, learned that before his landlord died, he'd told his relatives to offer Chiaro the option of buying his treasured 1960 Porsche 356 Roadster. Chiaro didn't hesitate. 'It's a time machine from a simpler era,' he said Saturday, standing in front of the bright red convertible as spectators trickled by. 'It's the intersection of cars, culture and technology,' Egan said. 'There's a level of care and attention these folks put into getting their car to concours level. … It's great to see that.' Saturday's event included nearly 100 classic and luxury vehicles from across the globe: vehicles from Ferrari, Porsche, Maserati, McClaren. There was a meticulous VW bus, lovingly restored, a vintage Ford Bronco. Spectators oohed and aahed as they gazed at the vehicles. 'I want that one!' cried 2½-year-old Elliot Schmidt, pointing at a Ferrari SP2 Monza from the arms of his 34-year-old dad, Chris Schmidt. 'It's the Batmobile!' The supercars sell for $1.8 million. A surprise star of the show was the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, looming over the low-slung sports cars. Show organizers had requested the Wienermobile for 10 years, said 22-year-old Zoe 'Zoweenie' Smith, one of the vehicle's two drivers. 'We finally made it happen,' she said with a laugh. 'It's amazing to be here with all these amazing classic cars, and everyone is excited to see the Wienermobile.' Steve Turtzo, 42, drank in the cars with his 7-year-old son, Duke. The pair try to go to car shows on weekends, Turtzo said, because Duke loves cars so much. 'It's exciting to see all these cars in pristine condition in our town,' he said as Duke waved at the cars. Just after 10 a.m., the tour's organizers ordered drivers to their vehicles. They had a two-hour journey ahead of them before lunch. Zagorski walked back to his car with his wife, Stephanie D'Ornellas. He climbed in and turned the key. The engine growled to life, joining the hum of motors from dozens of others.
USA Today
12 hours ago
- USA Today
Best budget luxury cars for 2025: Affordable elegance under $45K
For those searching for a luxury badge on a budget, the cheapest luxury cars remain an enticing group — less expensive than SUVs yet just as nice as entry-level SUVs from major luxury brands, they're the perfect entry point for those looking for fancier wheels. Many renowned brands offer these entry-level luxury sedans for much less than the average new car sells for, and some of these inexpensive luxury-branded models offer genuine luxury. Some are just a cash-in relying on the badge, but there are several that offer real luxury comfort, technology and performance for affordable prices. These are the ten most affordable luxury cars you can buy in 2025: 1. Acura Integra - $34,195 The least expensive luxury car by a solid margin is the 2025 Acura Integra, and it manages that while still being solidly built and plenty comfortable — if not as luxurious as it could be, thanks in part to its Honda Civic bones. Is a gussied-up Civic good enough to cross-shop against an entry-level Audi or BMW? By our evaluation and testing, it's more than that, and absolutely. The Integra's 200-hp base engine does have lower performance than the cars above it on this list, but it's much more practical thanks to its large hatchback trunk area. Overall comfort isn't lacking, its fuel economy is great, and its driving dynamics are fun. Read our experts' full Acura Integra review 2. Cadillac CT4 Luxury Sedan - $36,490 There are very few fancy cars available for under $40,000, and fewer that are worth it. The 2025 Cadillac CT4 straddles that line. Handling and chassis dynamics are excellent, even in the base car without any of the performance enhancements available further up the range. Almost anywhere in the range, the Cadillac is noticeably cheaper than its rivals; the CT4 is the cheapest RWD luxury car you can get, in fact. But the back seat and truck are cramped, and the base engine doesn't stir the soul like its competitors do. Read our experts' full Cadillac CT4 review 3. Audi A3 40 Premium Sedan - $39,495 While expensive for a subcompact car, the 2025 Audi A3 is the third-cheapest luxury car currently available in the U.S. The cabin remains tight, and it isn't as well isolated as larger and more expensive Audis' interiors, so it's relatively loud on the freeway. Also, the trunk is small, and the regular A3 isn't particularly fun to drive — that's what the pricier S3 performance model is for. Read our experts' full Audi A3 review Finding the car for you: The best compact pickup trucks you can buy in 2025 4. BMW 228i Gran Coupe - $40,775 As the least expensive car in the BMW lineup, the 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has some genuinely impressive upsides, including a segment-busting amount of interior space and a pair of good powertrain options (the more affordable of which is the 228i's turbo four), though its potentially harsh ride does not help its luxury car credentials. We'll have to see for ourselves if the 2025 refresh addresses that. Overall, the rest of BMW's lineup makes the Gran Coupe somewhat redundant, as those going for fun will opt for the two-door 2 Series Coupe, and those seeking practicality will likely just get an X1 SUV for roughly the same price. Read our experts' full BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe review 5. Lexus IS300 Sedan - $41,360 The 2025 Lexus IS still looks good, even though it's getting on in years. The entry-level IS300 model's turbocharged four-cylinder engine is fine, but the up-level IS350's 311-hp V-6 is more interesting (and the IS500's V-8 even more so). Of course, those IS models cost more money. All IS models have cramped back seats and a general lack of refinement when compared to the competition, which, again, largely comes down to this sedan's age. It also still uses Lexus's maligned touchpad-operated infotainment system, and not the newer, crisper touchscreen setup found in newer Lexus models. Read our experts' full Lexus IS review 6. BMW 230i Coupe - $40,375 Confusingly, there are technically two wholly different BMWs under the 2 Series banner. As it happens, the very slightly more expensive model with two doors is simply called the Coupe, and it's not just one of the least expensive BMWs, but the lightest and smallest sportiest coupe in the company's lineup. The base 2 Series Coupe has nice front-engine, rear-drive dynamics and a good powertrain, with our main complaint being a lack of standard driver assist features like adaptive cruise. For a car with two more doors and less sporting intentions, you can spend a few hundred dollars less and get the four-door Gran Coupe, which is a front-wheel-drive vehicle that shares a platform with the BMW X1 and the Mini Cooper Countryman. Read our experts' full BMW 2 Series Coupe review In case you missed it: See the 10 dumbest cars of all time 7. Lexus ES350 - $43,215 The Lexus ES is a surprise entrant on this list, and a must-see if you're hoping for a luxury sedan that's both attainable and much, much larger than anything else at this price point. Unlike virtually every other luxury car on this list, which fall into the entry-level subcompact and compact size classes, the ES is a large car, a sort of plus-size midsize sedan. At its most affordable, the ES comes with a smooth and powerful V-6 engine (in ES350 guise) — but a much more efficient hybrid (ES300h) is available for about a thousand bucks more. The ES350 is a true luxury machine, with a quiet cabin, cosseting ride, high-class materials throughout, and the scale one expects from an executive sedan. Soon, the ES is being replaced by a new-generation model that's only available as a hybrid ES350h or an all-electric ES350e or ES500e for 2026, making this 2025 ES350 your last chance for a six-cylinder ES. Read our experts' full Lexus ES review 8. Genesis G70 2.5T RWD Standard - $43,850 Beautiful design and dynamic poise make the 2025 Genesis G70 an easy recommendation for those unattached to a European luxury badge. More exciting to drive and look at than most of its competition, the G70's negatives are related more to practicality than passion. The trunk doesn't offer much space, and the gas mileage (21/29 mpg city/highway for the base four-cylinder model) is middling at best. But for those more interested in the ways a luxury car can excite, the powerful 300-hp turbocharged I-4 will do the trick. Read our experts' full Genesis G70 review 9. Volvo S60 - $43,795 Meet the only Swede on this list, Volvo's handsome S60 sedan. This four-door competes in the compact luxury sedan segment against the likes of the Lexus IS above, BMW's 3 Series and others. That makes it more usefully sized than some of the smaller subcompacts on this list, though it's not as spacious as Lexus's big ES350. Every S60 comes with Volvo's aura of safety, as well as a comprehensive list of actual safety equipment, plus understated, almost elegant styling inside and out. The entry-level S60 gets a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with mild hybridization. Read our experts' full Volvo S60 review 10. Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD - $44,130 We recently found that getting the maximum everything variant of an EV is by no means a necessity, including for the 2025 Tesla Model 3. This refreshed Highland model gets better driving dynamics and plenty of targeted improvements, though range and performance are similar to their already good original numbers. The optional (and expensive) Full Self-Driving feature remains untrustworthy, the lack of an instrument cluster is still a bad idea, and Tesla continues to overestimate the range; we managed only 211 miles on a charge when cruising at 70 mph in the entry-level single-motor, Long Range Model 3. Charging speed is quite reasonable, with a Supercharger able to replenish 118 miles of range in 15 minutes or 184 miles in 30 minutes. If you can look past the brand's current woes, given its CEO's polarizing turn in government, the Model 3 remains a premium long-range EV sold at mainstream prices and a thorn in the sides of de-facto competitors such as Hyundai's Ioniq 6. Read our experts' full Tesla Model 3 review The cheapest luxury cars you can buy in 2025 Photos by MotorTrend Staff, Manufacturer, Ryan Lugo
Car and Driver
12 hours ago
- Car and Driver
1982 BMW 528i on Bring a Trailer Is the Nicest We've Seen
Here's a fine-looking early BMW 5-series that checks a lot of boxes. It's not an M5, but it does feature an inline-six, a five-speed manual, and rear-wheel drive. It also boasts exceptionally low mileage and condition to match. The E28 BMW 5-series is mostly known as the debut of the BMW M5. That car is by now a legend, noted for its mighty 3.5-liter inline-six. If it's a racehorse, here's a car from the same bloodline that's a bit more domesticated, but still loves to trot. Bring a Trailer This 528i is the underlying sports sedan that made the first M5 so good, and this 1982 model up for sale on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos) looks to be an exceptional example of the breed. Sold new in France, it's got an M30 2.8-liter inline-six with higher compression than what we received in the U.S.—mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. It also sports the crisply elegant European bumpers rather than the overlarge U.S. units. And its 15K kilometers on the odometer translates to a freakishly low U.S. equivalent of less than 10,000 miles. Ooh, and those French selective yellow headlights, that's a nice touch. Courtesy: Bring a Trailer This car was bought last year on Bring a Trailer by the sort of owner who seems particularly fastidious. They've gone through the engine bay and cabin and removed any aftermarket parts, for instance replacing the Kenwood door speakers with factory BMW units. There is no A/C, but the seller is throwing in a factory A/C system from another car, which the new owner could have installed. Courtesy: Bring a Trailer The 5-series of this generation is such a overlooked machine, one that puts the spirit of the original 2002tii into a discreet business suit. The 2.8-liter inline-six produces a plentiful 170 horsepower, and it loves to rev. An E28 is tiny next to a modern 5-series, and the experience of hurrying it down a two-lane road while looking out through that expansive greenhouse is a wonderful one. Courtesy: Bring a Trailer The very low mileage does mean that this car is something to be reserved for special occasions, but it should be faithful even if it sits around a bit. These are far simpler and more durable cars than electronics-heavy later Bimmers, and that inline-six doesn't have the valve adjustment schedule of the M5's motor. This is the best of Bavaria, and with no reserve, it's going home with a new owner. The auction ends on June 25. Brendan McAleer Contributing Editor Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. Read full bio
