Raymond Ayoub: From car shipper to classic car dealer

It’s a bit like those dishwasher careers you know from America. When Raymond Ayoub came to Germany on July 29, 1997 at the age of 19, the Lebanese didn’t speak a word of German. He wants to study, takes language courses – and also works as a car loader in the port of Hamburg to finance his life. Up on the ship, off the ship. “Cars, cranes, excavators. Anything with wheels,” says Ray.
Back then, Germany was the promised land for him. His father has a car repair shop north of Beirut and repairs the numerous old Mercedes taxis that drive in Lebanon. Ray got behind the wheel himself at the age of 13, driving around the village in his father’s white 1964 Chevy Impala. At 15 then to the beach. Occasionally also with the line eight of the family. “The war was just over and everything was a bit wild,” says Ray today.

Ray has stored his treasures in a hall. Some are still awaiting restoration.
It turns out differently. He stays in Hamburg, moves in 2013 outside the city gates to Welle in the North Heath. Rents a former VW car dealership, rebuilds everything. And now a dream is being fulfilled there – with the sale of unusual cars.
Ray personally travels to America to major auto auctions

Under the huge hood of the Toyota FJ45 is a straight-six petrol engine with 4.2 l and 135 hp.
Because of his work in the port, he knows how to ship cars to Germany. And so Ray travels personally to the big car auctions in America. “I had no idea how this works,” says Ray. At first he just watches, then he makes contacts, bids, buys goods, brings them to Hamburg and restores them. No US cars, but Japanese and European makes.
Porsche, VW and again and again Datsun.
“Then you sit there, drink two, three gin…”

Raymond Ayoub is currently restoring the old T1 of his village fire brigade.
Corona prevents imports

Ray with his wife Carla (36) and children Carl (4) and Antony (15 months).
About: Raymond Ayoub
Born in Lebanon in 1978, has lived in Germany since 1997. Marries Lebanese Carla, a graphic designer (she designed the company logo), in 2011. The couple lives with their two children in the countryside near Hamburg. In Lebanon, Ray has his own FJ40 (built in 1981).