AUTOS CARS CUSTOM

found on http://carrosantigos.wordpress.com

found on http://caristas.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-gullwing-watch-it-and-weep.html

for a full article on it: http://caristas.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-young-man-and-300sl.html

 awaiting that dream day when it will emerge better than new, this man's trophies are a Hispano-Suiza race car, a Fiat Abarth 750 Zagato "Double Bubble" coupe, even a Chrysler Special by Ghia show car.
   And, of course, that Gullwing,  a Mercedes-Benz 300SL, engine-less, rust creeping up its sides, lies beached amidst debris in a yard near Havana.
   In the photos Miguel took of that very car in Nov 2012, the rust has spread everywhere: door sills, window frames, the roof. Worse, the car bends up at either end, its trademark doors jammed open. Because it was transported and stored poorly, Miguel writes at This European Life, "it's almost broken in half."
and I just learned... there is a car museum in Havana.. the Depósito del Automóvil http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dep%C3%B3sito_del_Autom%C3%B3vil
and inside it are :

1905 Cadillac
 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I
1953 MG TD
 1920s Fiat Alfa Romeo roadster
1970s Daimler
1980s Chevy replica of a 1957 Maserati used by Juan Manuel Fangio
 Cadillac V16 1930
 1959 Oldsmobile, owned by Commander Camilo Cienfuegos
 1918 Ford T
1930 Baby Lincoln
funeral carriage
1977 Ducati 900SS owned by Fidel Castro
1915 Mack AC. Chain drive







the personal cars of Fidel and Raul Castro, as well as the Chevrolet Impala of Che Guevara, Mr. Maestre said he would like to secure what is perhaps Cuba's most important car: Ernest Hemingway's Chrysler.

The best online photo gallery is http://www.flickr.com/photos/riveranotario/sets/72157633360600664/with/8683984605/

Eduardo Mesejo Maestre, curator of the Depósito del Automóvil, the country’s official antique car museum arranged Treasury Department permission for Tom Cotter to travel directly to Havana from Miami on cultural exchange visas. Call it spark plug diplomacy.



Depósito del Automóvil is at Oficios No. 13, Habana Vieja, C.P. 10100, La Habana, Cuba. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/automobiles/03cuba.html?_r=0

that is simple, perfect, and well designed!
Found on http://www.theworldsbestever.com/category/cars/page/14/ you can buy one of 30 copies at http://dossierjournal.com/editions/robert_longo/ for $1500

 1911 Chalmers, Pony Tonneau  Converted to two pedal operation including full electrical system with: Starter Alternator Turn signals Headlights New stainless gas tank Dual Delco ignition New rear brakes & drums. Body sheeted in steel so the paint won’t crack. New horsehair stuffed leather upholstery with matching green carpet and linoleum. New tires and every part rebuilt for care-free touring. Sport model so she`s low enough to go under seven foot garage door.

This 50 HP 1912 Speedwell has a 5x5 (393 cubic inch) engine and a 3 speed transmission. Not modified, very correct --- including correct brass. Factory equipped with presto-lite starter. Needs engine work


This rare 1915 Peerless 48HP Touring Car is still in the ownership of the original family. Purchased new by a major PA cigar manufacturer. He kept it until his passing in 1933. It was then stored until 1963 when inherited by his great grandson and stored again for 40 years. Original speedometer shows only 24,500 miles.

http://www.hcca.org/sellit.php

how'd I find it? One of the sellers found that I'd posted a gallery on his 1912 Regal http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/05/1912-regal-underslung.html and used the link to my photos instead of taking his own. Oh well, so much for getting a thanks from that guy, but it's nice to be appreciated for the post.

this video was a good look at the 1990's running of the race, and it included clips from the 1950's and 60's to show the history of the race. It did a good job of explaining what brought the race to being, and how it's changed. One of the most unusual cars that has been in the race is the above, which I think is a Cadillac with an airplane greenhouse mated to the top instead of the cars windows, A and C pillars, and roof

it appears in the video at minute 56 and 50 seconds , and 57 and 10 seconds

  

 for contrast and comparison, the Pontiac above and below




 First time I've seen half a car lace painted... interesting






The above was just featured http://www.rodauthority.com/news/one-sweet-48-merc-cruiser-hits-the-streets/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=one-sweet-48-merc-cruiser-hits-the-streets  I saw it at SEMA this past year.. it's really good looking http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2012/11/nice-mercury-in-sema-infield.html