Old cars in cuba
 

Already seen quite a few on the news just in one day. Amazing to see them running around.

Re: Old cars in cuba
 

You have to wonder, where are they getting the replacement parts from???

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They don't get spares. they make 'em. or put lada parts on.

Mart.

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But how did they survive the salt air? I would think it would have taken its toll on frames and bodies.

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Labor is cheap, other metal is grafted in, if you could look closer you would find that although the outside look like a real car if you look under the pretty skin you will find endless "farmer fixes" using whatever could be found

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My wife and I saw them also. We'd go there just to be able to see them all. LOL

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There have been lots of TV programmes about Cuba, and the way the Cubans have to mmake do and mend, especially when it comes to keeping the cars going. As this appears to be new news to some posters, I wonder if these programmes weren't shown (or only shown at wierd hours) in the USA due to the situation?

Not trying to be political, just wondering why the Cuban old cars have even warranted a mention, I thought that was one of the better known aspects of Cuba.

Mart.

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I've always enjoyed documentaries on Cuba for that reason, Latest one I watched had what appeared to be a very nice bright yellow 53 Mercury convertible cruising the streets along with a whole lot of other fifties American iron. I hear some of them have updated engines under the hood. Russian maybe? Some pretty innovative people keep them on the roads.
http://lacpress.com/content/cubas-cl...ry-rule-change

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Few on youtube, this ones fairly decent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-aALD7XVls

Also a street artist painting I received after a friend visited cuba a few years ago.

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attach...1&d=1418917330

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Mecum could hold an auction in Havana and really clean up.

Looked what happened at the Chevrolet dealership auction in Nebraska last summer:eek:

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Mecum wouldn't be bothered. I read an article on Cuba's automobiles and many have been repowered with Russian GAZ motors and transmissions. All of the cars have been cobbled together with a mismatch of anything they can find to keep them running. Some have a mixture of glycerin and transmission fluid for brake fluid. Many seals are made from scraps of leather. A few had boat gas tanks in the rear seat area in place of rotted out gas tanks. Unless one can find something really rare I don't think it will be worth the shipping cost to the mainland.

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I wonder why no one from Cuba is on the ford forums,is it outlawed by the U.S.

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You really need to read-up on how truly-depressed and repressed the daily life of the common person in Cuba really is. They ain't got no damned computers, much less internet or DirectV. They don't have the pleasure of running down to Auto Zone for parts, either. DD

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Private ownership of computers in Cuba is zero without permit. I was reading about that this morning. A lot of things could change for the Cubans, but it's going to take time.


V8 COOPMAN beat me to it. lol

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I have been to Cuba several times and have cycled from one end of the island to the other. Each area is unique in their abundance of pre 59 American made vehicles. Like an earlier post regarding the Russian powered Chevys, there is a lot of ingenuity to keep the rusted hulks on the road. Interestingly there are very few 2 door cars, convertibles or pick up trucks of the 1/2 ton variety.
I did see a 34 Ford sedan full of either corn or sugar cane south east of Varadero.
Rumours of several Vettes in Havana but I have never seen one.
Here is a great web site with lots of pics http://cubanclassics.blogspot.ca/

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The question is, how many "good" cars were put away 30 or 40 years ago for lack of parts or money to keep them on the road?

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When I waz theer in 54/5 They had allot of old cadys and Packards from the 30's used as tourist jitneys. All gussied up. I have a picture someplace where we took on to see the sights of "Old" Havana. I was very upset at the conditions I saw in the old neighborhoods and was glad when Castro kicked out Basticta. He was helped by the CIA. Then he dubble crossed and went with Russia, wonder how that happened?????

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Good pictures there and I think I see the yellow 52 Merc convertible that was in the documentary. It still runs on the original engine. Looks like the bumperettes and park lights are missing but otherwise not bad. $35 an hour for a ride in it.
http://cubanclassics.blogspot.ca/201...al-custom.html

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I suspect that very few cars were stashed away, if any, as transportation is at a premium on the island.
Just about every car in Havana, or any where else for that matter, is or can be a taxi. You only have to have a few pesos in your hand standing on the side of the road for one to pull over.
I have ridden in some beat up old classics and after awhile become immune to them passing you by.