Outside its isolation from the USA, Cuba's main claim to fame is the tens of thousands on 1950's (and earlier) vintage American cars on the streets. The US Trade Embargo of 1960 bannned the export of new cars and replacement parts to Cuba, leading to the growth of a whole new industry to keep the increasingly old Studebakers, Chevrolets, Fords, Buicks, Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs and Chryslers on the road.
The old American cars in the best condition are often rebuilt from bare bones with hand made panels.
Unintentionally, we're sure, this embargo has given Cuba one of its greatest tourist attractions. It certainly attracted the attention of the Lindblad expedition members. The streets of Havana abound with these old machines, in various states of repair.
Tourists enjoying a ride in this antique convertable.
A distinction seems to be made between the elderly cars which are classic, meaning they have been restored to a high finish and used for taxis and visitor tour vehicles, and those which are jury-rig maintained, barely kept going, and definitely showing their age!
These Cuban restorations are magnifico! And everywhere.
Whichever class a car falls into, it's probably running with replacement parts from anywhere, and has likely been converted to diesel.
Havana street taken from the balcony of a lunchtime restaurant.
The US embargo didn't prevent cars and parts from being imported from outside the USA, but because Cubans are so poorly paid (average of USD20/day) there's few new or near new vehicles from anywhere to be seen. Most none-US vehicles we saw were Russian Lada's and Volga's and a smattering of unfamiliar Chinese brands, and these were almost all very old too.
Off to dinner in our own classic ride.
The Lindblad group had several engagements with the 1950's US vehicles. Our first evening, we were transported to our restaurant in a fleet of them. Another day, we got to visit a very modest but apparently quite successful rebirthing factory. And then we were taken along a very popular route to our next destination in another fleet of the vehicles.
We saw this model at the Ernest Hemingway estate.
Classic restoration detail.
The rebirthing factory (which only became possible after President Raul Castro relaxed restrictions on private enterprise in 2008) showed us how they buy almost totally derelict wrecks and rebuild them, quite lovingly, with second hand components acquired in any way possible. Body panels are hand-wrought with a hammer from flat sheets of steel. The labour is intensive - we saw maybe 6-9 people actively working on 3-4 cars.
The owner (R) and his translator regaled us with entertaining stories of the business.
Skin panels are hand beaten from flat sheets.
Nearing completion in the rebirthing workshop.
The trunk is getting the treatment on this finned monster.
Parked out the front were a dozen or so finished cars which gave us a ride through quite leafy parts of Havana. There was heavy traffic of restored cars on this journey - obviously it is a popular route, maybe one specified by the government.
Almost a traffic jam of Cuban "classic cars" driving through a pleasant part of Havana.
Restoration is inside and out. This is the Chevy Bel Air that took us to lunch. They don't like us to close the doors - we might slam them! This may be the very Bel Air used in the Cuban-Canadian movie "Havana 57".
It seems that this business does not sell its finished products, but retains ownership of them, employing drivers to take tourists for trips. A nice little earner! See http://nostalgicarcuba.com/enWhatever, we all enjoyed this experience, and we hope that nothing in Cuba's future adversely impacts this unique tourist attraction.
Complete rebuild on the inside.
An American engine with Russian replacement carby & generator awaits loving care.
The owner's favourite wreck, awaiting its turn.
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