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Lifestyles of the once rich and famous


Imagine what you would do if someone handed you a file containing more than 100 images of four automotive barn finds in cuba.Not fourdoor 1958 plymouths or even twodoor 1957 chevrolets, but photos of a mercedesbenz 300sl gullwing, a 300 sl roadster, what appears to be an abarth zagato and some sort of fullsize convertible with italian coachwork?

In the 1950s and even earlier, cuba, an island nation less than 100 miles from the florida keys, was run by a corrupt government with solid ties to mafia figures.It was also a playground for the rich and famous.Think vegas on steroids, with tropical heat and a latin flair.In other words, it was gangster before there was gansta, a refuge for the beautiful people, the prejet set.It was also a place where a wellconnected person could make a lot of money in business both legal and extralegal.Not a bad place to own and drive a highend exotic car of the day.

Enter fidel castro and his small band of revolutionaries.When the previous leader gave up and left, castro marched into havana and juicy couture uk bags declared cuba a workerowned state.It didn't take long for private property to become public property, and thousandsdeciding the people's paradise was not for themescaped to start new lives elsewhere.Lucky to get out with the clothes on their back, taking your car with you was not an option.

In the 1970s, a few folks hijacked planes to"Visit"Cuba.The hijackers usually fell into three groupsrevolutionaries, nut cases and revolutionary nut cases.Maybe its better that word of these exotics is just coming to light now.

For years, we have seen photos of mostly american cars plying the streets of havanasedans with bumpers now painted chrome, convertibles juicy couture tracksuits uk with no tops held together with bailing wire and numerous coats of bright house paint.But where were the cars of the stars, the showy rides to see and be seen in at the front door of the copacabana?It appears they have mostly been hiding.

The photos show a gullwing with so much rust, the roof has separated from the windshield;A 300sl roadster now sporting volkswagen beetle taillights mounted sideways;The aforementioned abarth zagato with the famous"Double bubble"Roof, and our mystery car.

We originally identified it as a vignalebodied car, but, thanks to al gore's interwebs, we now know it's a maserati with a body by frua.

But not just any maseratian a6g maserati, a very rare Clips and desirable model.

And the gullwing?The photos show just one car, but at least one more set of doors, and an additional trunk and hood.The rumor mill informs us that a group of germans have removed the serialnumber plates from the car and have plans to"Restore"The cars back on home soil, apparently using just the number plates themselves as the only original parts, thus avoiding the pesky problem of actually removing the cars from cuba.That likely will create more than just a modicum of controversy if it turns out to be true.

Thinking of picking up a cuban souvenir yourself?Keep in mind that it is illegal for americans to do business in cuba.Also keep in mind that these cars might have moved on, in whole or in part, to a country with no such restrictions.


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