Two Manhattan Beach Natives Bring the South Bay Car Community Together for Some Caffeinated Saturday Morning Fun

It’s easy to understand the influence cars have in today’s world, but it’s their early progression that tells the epic tale. Ever since the first mass-produced automobile rolled off Ford Motor Company’s assembly line in 1908, transportation changed forever. Society and culture grew out of the convenience that cars put forward. They led to the development of better roads and extended job opportunities and suburbs.

Beyond societal growth and getting their occupants from point A to point B, cars also offer a sense of pride. Owning and using a car can hold important symbolic meaning for its owner, such as social status, personal image and an overall sense of accomplishment. In simpler terms, our cars are a part of who we are and where we strive to be.

My first car was a 1980 Chevy El Camino—you know, the groovy, half-coupe/half-truck hybrid. It was a hand-me-down from my dad, but it felt like a new, exciting chapter in my life. I was now a car owner, and I was going places … literally.

I’ve had a few cars in my 25 years of driving, and each one more than served its purpose. From bonding with my dad while building a 1967 Chevy Camaro SS to my most recent purchase of a 2024 Ford Bronco Sport, I have grown with my cars and they have grown with me.

As a classic car enthusiast, I’m always on the hunt for my future dream car. I’ve narrowed it down to three options: 1960 Ford Starliner, 1958 Ford Skyliner or 1957 DeSoto Adventurer.

My love for classic cars comes from my dad, who owned many cars in his day—most I wish he still had. Starting when I was young, he took me to car shows—planting the seeds of a lifelong passion. I’ve continued to frequent shows from time to time, but none have really impressed me in recent years. That is, until I took a trip to El Segundo on a beautiful Saturday morning in April.

Manhattan Beach Cars and Coffee first came to my attention through a good friend. He knew about my love of cars and figured it would be right up my alley. I pulled into The Point in El Segundo around 9 a.m. and was surprised to see the lot nearly full. As I started my initial walk-through, I began to feel like a kid in a candy store.

With The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” echoing from the DJ booth, an immaculate red Ferrari’s engine roared past me. Once I was able to pick up my jaw from the floor and wipe up the drool, I grabbed a cup of coffee donated by Pure Bean MB and then stopped to look at a 1957 Ford Thunderbird.

The owner of the Thunderbird was friendly and gave me the full history of his car. What I noticed most about this interaction was not the exact details he described but the pure joy in his voice. This car was an extension of him.

“We’ve created a space that welcomes car enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds from different parts of L.A.”

Moving down the line, I stopped to admire a 1940s-era Rolls-Royce convertible. “First time at our event?” asked Connor Wohl, as I pictured myself driving this Rolls-Royce down PCH on a sunny summer afternoon. I told him yes, and he introduced himself as the co-founder of Cars and Coffee.

The 25-year-old Manhattan Beach native attended Mira Costa High School, where he founded the classic car club and played ice hockey for the LA Jr. Kings. After graduation, Connor went on to earn a degree in management from Indiana University and a master’s degree in marketing from Santa Clara University. In addition to co-founding the car event with his cousin, Aidan Nesicolaci, he is a real estate advisor at Braun International, where he provides appraisal, brokerage and auction services to residential and commercial property owners across the country.

“Cars and Coffee has hosted over 80 enthusiast-oriented gatherings,” he shares. “Since returning as event president in 2021, I have managed logistics, marketing and sponsorships, transforming this event from a small gathering into the thriving community it is today.”

Aidan is a 26-year-old car enthusiast and wholesale car dealer, also born and raised in the South Bay. After attending Da Vinci Design High School, he fostered his love for cars to co-found the event with Connor. He is also the founder of Katalytic, a boutique car dealership in Redondo Beach that specializes in high-end automobiles including Maybach, Porsche, Ferrari, Bugatti and Lamborghini.

“The best part of my job is helping clients and newfound friends find their dream cars,” shares Aidan.

The idea for Cars and Coffee came about in 2015 during another event they hosted: the Manhattan Beach Festival of Motoring. A well-known local car enthusiast approached Connor and Aidan, inquiring if they knew about any other shows in the area. This simple question sparked an idea. “We needed something more regular, something that could keep the momentum going,” Connor recalls.

Cars and Coffee seemed to be the perfect solution. It allowed them to be around unique cars every month while uniting the local community in a more laid-back setting. After a few preliminary events, they partnered with local car aficionados Max Berger, Jake Johnson, Dimitri Pouliopoulos, Max Baumer and Ty Dillman of South Bay Exotics, who successfully ran a series of local car events in the community.

Adds Aidan, “Building on the ethos of fostering an inclusive car event within a vibrant landscape, we embarked on a journey to pinpoint the perfect venue.” Mira Costa High School was the first location, but it proved to be too small for the growing event. Ultimately The Point became the perfect destination for the monthly gathering to flourish. After the original team went off to college, the torch was passed to Mira Costa student Zach Wohl.

Something that sets Cars and Coffee apart from other car shows I’ve visited is diversity. I’m not just talking about the diversity of the cars shown but also the people attending. Every demographic seems to be accounted for: men, women, young, old and families. Seeing these families enjoying the event together takes me back to the days when my dad and I roamed from car to car, bonding over our shared interest.

“We’ve created a space that welcomes car enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds from different parts of L.A.,” Connor says. “Whether you’re into vintage Porsches, modern Ferraris or pre-war classics, there’s always a place for you here.

From my vantage point, it seems that this is only the beginning for Cars and Coffee and its two young co-founders. Connor and Aidan have become ambassadors of the South Bay by sharing their knowledge and love of cars with the community. They know what the people want, and they give it to them.

“We look at the show we have built as the beginning,” says Connor. “We want to create other events, drives, podcast opportunities and automotive sponsorships. By using these creative platforms, we plan to further reach younger demographics to keep the car culture alive and flourishing.”

Their plan seems to be working. “When I think about the future and long-term goals, I don’t focus too much on the size of the event or the number of cars that show up—though it’s always a thrill to see so many unique vehicles,” he adds. “What truly stands out to me after hosting countless car events is the incredible sense of community we’ve built.”

Check out Cars and Coffee on the last Saturday of each month at The Point in El Segundo.