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The Real Story Of Comercial Gaúcha, The Dealership That Kept 0 Km Volkswagen Cars Like Beetles Abandoned For Over 20 Years!
In a story worthy of a movie, the history of Comercial Gaúcha, an old Volkswagen dealership in the city of Estrela (RS), gained national attention again in 2025. This is because a fleet of abandoned cars, including rare models like Itamar series Beetles and a Volkswagen Quantum, had been kept untouched for over two decades — and only now, more than 20 years later, has it finally been put up for sale.
The case began in 2002, when Comercial Gaúcha lost its Volkswagen accreditation for not meeting the minimum sales target set by the automaker: about 60 vehicles per month.
Estrela, with around 27,000 inhabitants at the time, simply did not have enough demand — the store sold less than 20 cars monthly.
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Instead of reinventing itself as a multi-brand dealership, owner Otmar Essig made an unusual decision: not to sell the cars that remained in stock.
A Museum Of Cars Hidden In The Interior Of RS
Rather than turning the store into a liquidation point or commercial adaptation, Otmar transformed the old dealership into a kind of private museum.
Every day, religiously at 6:30 AM, he would arrive at the location to have chimarrão, receive friends, and, of course, personally take care of the vehicles that remained completely preserved.
Among the abandoned cars were rarities that caught the attention of curious onlookers and car enthusiasts, but Otmar always repeated the same phrase: “the cars are not for sale.”
Reports of purchase attempts were frequent, and even a tax inspector was called in due to suspected illegal sales, leading Otmar to put stickers on the windows clearly stating his intention to keep the cars off the market.
He drove a Beetle with around 80,000 km on it to commute back and forth from Arroio do Meio, a neighboring town where he lived.
He maintained this routine until 2017, when health issues prevented him from continuing with daily care. Otmar passed away in 2022, but the family kept the cars exactly as he left them, honoring his wishes until 2025.
From Abandoned Cars To International Valuation
After 23 years, the car collection from Comercial Gaúcha was finally put up for sale.
The decision honored a wish of Otmar himself: that all vehicles be sold together and discreetly.
As part of the models were never even invoiced, they are still legally considered 0 km cars, even with over 30 years since their manufacture.
The sale was made through the original CNPJ of the dealership, founded in 1967 and still active, with the issuance of invoices as if it were a conventional sale of a new vehicle.
The new owner is Anderson Dick, a businessman in the automotive sector and founder of FuelTech. He plans to take the vehicles to the United States, where they will be displayed as part of a historical collection.
The story of Comercial Gaúcha transcends that of a simple car dealership. It is a rare example of attachment, preservation, and resistance to market logics, resulting today in a priceless automotive collection.
A true legacy of Volkswagen in Brazil, featuring iconic models like the Beetle, which continue to enchant car enthusiasts around the world.
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