Classis cars in Cuba

[wingcar]

Cuba's thaw with U.S. raises interest in classic-car cache

By Justin Hyde

Wednesday's news of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba after 53 years of post-revolution standoff caught the attention of one group in particular: Classic-car buffs.
Since the Castro-led government essentially banned vehicle imports from outside the Soviet bloc until 2013, and poverty gripped most of the island, many of the roughly 60,000 1950s-era vehicles in Cuba have been driven and kept in use ever since. With parts hard to come by, a burgeoning home-garage industry has bloomed, dedicated to fabricating parts and keeping ancient Plymouths, Chevys and Fords on the roads — becoming one of Cuba's most well-known tourist attractions.

But before collectors start booking figuring out how to ship cars from Havana, they may want to take a pause. For starters, the U.S. economic embargo with Cuba can only be lifted by an act of Congress; the rule changes announced today by President Barack Obama fall far short of a full resumption of trade, and individuals who travel to Cuba under a limited set of circumstances may only bring back $400 in goods.

Secondly, the cars themselves aren't in the best of shape. Brenda Priddy, a long-time automotive spy photographer, has led "people-to-people" exchange tours of Cuba in recent years, with another scheduled for next year. Many of the classics "are a bit sad-looking," Priddy told Yahoo Autos, "although there are some beautifully restored cars on the island. It's common to find a '57 Chevy with a diesel engine and many, many coats of house paint."

Priddy says Cubans "have a lot of pride in their automobiles," but that the island's impoverished economy has made them a lower priority than basic sustenance and shelter. It may be that should the embargo be lifted, the main beneficiaries wouldn't be the American car auction houses but the Cuban people themselves, especially their car experts. After half a century having to repair old Detroit iron with scraps, imagine what they could do with parts and tools they didn't have to scrounge.

[HANDM]

I heard they have to use dish soap for brake fluid 

[myk]

I hope the classic car culture in Cuba will take on a new direction now.  Oh and yeah, it's cool that the people may have a new lease on life as well...

[twodko]

Word Myk!

[69 OUR/TEA]

I heard they have to use dish soap for brake fluid 

And brake fluid for dish soap !!!!

[6spd68]

Secondly, the cars themselves aren't in the best of shape. ...  Many of the classics "are a bit sad-looking,"

As a car guy; Cuba was an amazing experience.  The above statement is true to a certain degree.  Even the best example down there shows all sorts of hackery, but that's the beauty of it.  They've managed to keep a 60 year old car on the road with little more then bush mechanics.  Hell, you'd be hard pressed to find one without visible signs of body work; be it welds not grinded down, or rivets in place of welds (none of which is original sheet metal lol).  But I challenge ANYONE to put themselves in similar circumstances, and produce better work.  That being said; Priddy should STFU.  What's "Sad looking" to her, is an amazing feat for people with next to nothing.  It adds a certain magic to it all, that wouldn't be there if they were 90-point show cars.

Last time I was there, I paid a cabby to let me drive his car.  A 3spd 52 Cadillac WITH A F***ING DEISEL ENGINE!!!  You have no idea the liberating feeling going through gears on a Cuban roadway, while smoking a cigar, as the sun set.  Better than any drug money can buy...  But hey, REAL car people know this...

***Sorry to go off

[HPP]

Seeing how they have been living next to a large salt water body and have been kluged together for the past 50 years, I somehow think that they are considerably less than desirable under the shiny paint.

Think about it, once they rebuilt the engine 10 times over and there was no metal left to hone, the next logical powerplant would be a left over soviet era POS from some military surplus item.

Have they been creative in keeping them running, absolutely. However, I think from our perspective, these things are beyond basket cases and we would critique them to death if we found similar work in the average craigslist ad.

[6spd68]

Agreed, hence why no one in their right mind would export one from Cuba.  They're great to go and behold/experience; but much like Vietnam's Vespas, you're in for a bad time if looking for something extraordinary.

[Shakey]

I imagine there are barns/sheds/shacks scattered across the island that may possibly have some gems tucked away.   

Perhaps a site called "Cuban Cars in Barns" is in the near future.   

[ACUDANUT]

Dream on. They are so poor they drink toilet water. Average salary is 20.00 a month.

[polywideblock]

I've been told that a lot of their cars have been repowered with small  industrial diesel engines (read pump/rotary tiller  engines )   

[el dub]

Some pics here and they are raggedy.

http://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/cars/palm-find-lost-mercedes-gullwing-found-under-banana-tree-cuba

[dual fours]

I imagine there are barns/sheds/shacks scattered across the island that may possibly have some gems tucked away.   

Perhaps a site called "Cuban Cars in Barns" is in the near future.   

Why yes I have all the motors back here in the shed we removed from cars over the years, they still ran when we took them out.
Those nine there, I think you Americans call Himy, no no I think you call them Hemi!

[F8-4life]

Sounds like most of the cars they have are pre 1960 shoe boxes.
Probably a lot of beat 4 drs and sedans.
Bring a 69 charger there and it would be a hit.

[6spd68]

Hey Hey Americanos!  I'll be in Cuba for my 30th Birthday in April.  Will be sure to take lots of pics for you guys ...  Then spend an eternity trying to upload them here 

[Stegs]

I've been told that a lot of their cars have been repowered with small  industrial diesel engines (read pump/rotary tiller  engines )   

I got a beautiful 55 chevy here, its got a well built 8 HP Briggs and stratton - runs great!

LMAO 

[Drache]

Anyone else remember that '69 Charger that was posted here on the forums? Wasn't mexico but some other south american country.