The Green Line is a 180 kilometer-long (112 miles) stretch of land that divides the island of Cyprus and its capital city of Nicosia. It was created as a demilitarized zone or a buffer, if you prefer, between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot controlled areas of Cyprus after Turkey invaded the Mediterranean island back in 1974.

Here, lies an unoccupied piece of land that seems to have been frozen in time.

Now, we know some of you may be wondering what any of this has to do with an automotive website like Carscoop, so let’s cut to the chase and get to the story.

The answer is a stunning gallery from Bo de Visser, a photographer and journalist from The Netherlands, who was able to visit the Green Line in Cyprus and discover an abandoned Toyota dealer lot with an amazing collection of new cars from the 1970s.

The vehicles, as well as the dealership, were apparently abandoned in a hast during the invasion creating a one-of-a-kind time capsule of an assortment of 1970s Toyota models including Corollas and Celicas. The photo gallery along with a description from Bo’s brother, Bart, whom we came in contact with, is available for your viewing pleasure after the jump.

Here’s what Bart de Visser told us:

After the invasion by Turkey in 1974 a large part of Northern Cyprus became a cease-fire line, protected by UN and both Cyprus and Turkey.

And while other towns managed to carry on, cities like Famagusta and Nicosia are partly abandoned since then. Rumors were told about car-dealers as Ford and Toyota, where new cars just standing the way they have been parked 33 years ago. A dream of every car -enthusiast and photographers of abandoned places.

After a long time of negotiating the photographer and journalist Bo de Visser from The Netherlands managed to get inside and made a photo-documentary.

Besides the ‘forgotten cars’ he discovered a city with a sad history, empty streets with decayed houses.

The many bulletholes in the walls are silent witnesses and keep remembering us why this city was abandoned. Old advertising signs of forgotten brands, and of course, the Toyota dealer.

‘New’ cars, with only 37 driven miles.

Many thanks to Bart de Visser!

Source: Urban Travel

[Photos published with permission]

Photo Gallery