A video from The Times and The Sunday Times YouTube channel offers a quick tour of this astonishing collection. Although brief, the video showcases an array of remarkable vehicles amassed by the former leader.
The display begins with luxury sedans and SUVs, such as 7-series BMWs and a Lexus LX. However, the excitement builds with the rare sighting of a red Lamborghini LM002. This V-12 behemoth, with only about 300 ever produced, exemplifies extreme SUV craftsmanship and can fetch up to half a million dollars today.
As the video continues, we spot Toyota FJ Cruisers, leading to the collection's centerpiece—a Ferrari F50, nestled between an Aston Martin and a Ferrari F430. With only 349 in existence, the F50 features a de-tuned 4.7-liter V-12 from a 1990 Ferrari F1 car, valued at approximately $5 million. Its presence is nearly overshadowed by the Lamborghini Diablo, despite its own allure.
The garage extends its display of luxury with Mercedes-Benz S-class sedans, Cadillac Escalades, and a striking white Audi R8. Nearby, a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG catches the eye with its signature gullwing doors, positioned next to a Bentley Continental GT and other high-end models like a Rolls-Royce Ghost, Audi S8, and a new Land Rover Defender.
As CNN echoed this automotive spectacle on YouTube, the fate of these cars remains uncertain. One hopes these exotic automobiles find homes more suitable than that of a leader infamous for his brutal regime.
Summary: In the wake of Bashar al-Assad's ousting, his lavish collection of exotic cars left in Damascus highlights the opulence of his reign. While the showcase features rare wealth with models like the Ferrari F50 and Lamborghini LM002, their future now hangs in the balance.
