Once upon a car museum... in Brazil, the owner died. The heirs fought over the inheritance, it's unknown what became of the lost museums' treasures

Current state above of the museum

V12 engine and trans

In the good days when the museum was open

1932 BP-3 Alfa Romeo, Gran Prix (In 1936, the pilot suffered a serious accident in a race held on the streets of the South Zone of São Paulo, which resulted in the deaths of eight spectators. After the accident, the car went through numerous addresses until it was lost. Was found at a gas station in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, and incorporated into the Robert Lee museum.) 

and from the Alfa Romeo forum http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/limited-production-1910-1949/275057-lost-alfas-brazil.html

 (This bears no resemblance with a Tipo B / P3. No visible part is close to what should be expected on a Tipo B. I count 6 exhaust pipes where 8 are expected among others.

And Hellé-Nice had an accident at the wheel of an 8C2300 Monza, which is a two seaters. It was 2311213. Another Monza, which was presented as Hellé-Nice's but was not - except maybe for some parts rescued - was with the collection in early times, and was sold to England in the 80s. I understand that the car at stake here could have been described as a Ford special, but I cannot be sure it's the same car. What does fit the description is that it is presented as an Alfa Romeo, and is not.)

1929 Willys Whippet

1929 Cadillac pickup

1925 Packard 8 Phaeton

1931 Packard 845 Super 8 Cabriolet

http://www.carrosantigos2004.blogger.com.br/2004_10_01_archive.html

The following is from the email I received from "CarrosAntiago" Nik!

Roberto Lee was the father and the mother of the idea that old cars must be preserved in Brazil.

He build in Caçapava, São Paulo, a museum that for many years received visitors from all the country. People who knew him at the time say he was always there receiving friends and anyone who wanted to visit some of the classic cars he collected for years.

Roberto traveled all around Brazil saving rare cars from being destroyed in a time that we still had a lot of them to be saved. The proof is that in his collection you can see a Tucker.
The problem is that Roberto has been assassinated by his wife in the mid 70s and since them the collection was destroyed by many people who even stole parts, cars, and bikes. It seems the daughter’s didn’t have the same opinion about it and then they are fighting for his fortune since then.

Meanwhile, the treasury is being lost.

The post is because we here in Brazil recently received new photos from the area and what was left from there and what we see is a shame. A shame to our memory, to the history of the automobile and to the legacy of Roberto Lee, he was a gentle and good man.

There was a prototype car made in Brazil in the early 60s, named Carcará (name of a small eagle from here), which is lost since the 70s, that seemed to be at Roberto’s museum. The car has a wonderful story, and is very important to OUR automotive records (traveled at 210km/h with a 3 cylinders engine, Latin America record for the category until today) but seems that was stolen after Roberto’s death.

The new pictures are here. http://picasaweb.google.com.br/lcorreard/MuseuDoAutomVelDeCaApava2008#
And the old ones from when the cars were still around and in good shape here. http://picasaweb.google.com.br/lcorreard/MuseuDoAutomVelDeCaApavaANTIGAMENTE#

I will try to go to Caçapava after Christmas. If I do get close of the cars to photograph them. I will let you know.
Best regards from the friend that also LOVE your web site, Nik.
PS: Are you crazy? The blog takes me a lot of time and you still want me to write it in english????

YES!