Officially, this dealership came to life with the signing of its BMW franchise agreement in October 1968. But the real story began twelve years earlier when Otto and his young family walked to freedom across the briefly unguarded border separating Soviet-occupied Hungary and Austria. It was a moment of opportunity made possible by the short-lived and ill-fated uprising in the fall of 1956, and Otto made the most of it.

It was a bold move, one that required leaving everything – and everyone – behind. It meant living in a Red Cross refugee camp until the day arrived when they were flown by military transport to an airfield just north of New York City. There they were met by an Indian chief in full regalia who presented the émigrés with a ceremonial offering of corn. The symbolism was auspicious and appropriate, for like millions before and since, Otto and his family had come to this country to make a new start.

Their first step into American life was made possible by a generous Hungarian businessman from Philadelphia, who arranged for temporary housing for ten families in nearby Upland and got a job for Otto in a machine shop in Brookhaven. After a few years and a brief partnership operating a two-bay garage in Chester, Otto moved to Eddystone to open his own repair facility in the lower level of a building that ultimately became his first dealership.

That was a fortunate day when a representative from Hoffman Motors, the sole U.S. importer for BMW, walked into Otto’s shop and offered him a franchise. With the encouragement of his daughter, Lisa, who was helping with the business, financing was arranged and the deal was signed. Otto’s Imported Cars was in operation.

This was a pivot point in Michael Vadasz’ s life, as well. Having been raised in the same town as Otto and his family, he had known Lisa growing up, and in the intervening years, had become quite fond of her. Michael had remained in Hungary after they escaped, but by 1968, knew it was time to leave. The border had long since reclosed, but he was fortunate enough to make his way safely to Austria and ultimately to the United States, where he worked as a mechanical engineer in the Philadelphia area.

In due course, Michael and Lisa married, and in 1971, he joined the business as its first and only Sales Advisor. Lisa’s younger brother, John, worked with Otto on the service and repair side of the operation. It was a modest undertaking at that point, but filled with promise. BMWs were becoming noticed, and Otto’s was quickly developing a reputation as the dealer of choice for the high performance enthusiasts who loved these amazing machines.

As the decades passed, the popularity of BMWs soared and Otto’s cadre of loyal customers continued to grow – to the point where a new facility was the only option. That prompted the purchase of the four-acre tract on Rt. 202, site of the current West Chester dealership, and in 1984 and 2002, its subsequent expansion and dramatic upgrade to include a MINI facility.

In March 2008, Otto’s expanded its operation once again to serve the Downingtown sector of its market by opening a dealership on Rt. 30 (Lancaster Pike) in Exton. Plans are under development to build a new ground-up facility on that site within the next several years.

With the third generation now actively involved in its operation and management, Otto’s BMW continues to build on the dream of its founder, and remains one more example of what is possible in this land of opportunity, this beacon to the world.