OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

Not Model A, but Discovery Channel is starting a new "reality" show on how Cubans keep their old cars running, starting tonight at 10 Eastern. It should be fun watching:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifest...593_story.html

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

Thanks, should be interesting. I'll check it out!

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

Never been to Cuba but I also have heard what Wayne is saying, the cars are pretty shoddy. A lot of the Chevy's from the 50's are running some kind of Russian diesel engine the originals were just too worn out to rebuild anymore.


Pictures Model A's I've seen........ well Carumba to quote Desi Arnaz not good.....

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

Wooden door panels. License plates bolted together as fenders, 2 or 3 different sized tires, sand bags and boxes for seats, but they all have a loud radio ( lol ) ! Wayne
P.s. 8 days all inclusive with flights, motel and food, drinks and cigars are to be had for less than. $600 dollars.

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

A relative working in Canada had occasion to visit Cuba on business several times over the past few years. He reports seeing a number of Model A Fords in rural areas and thought they sounded like they were powered by the original 4 cylinder engines although he had no opportunity to verify what was under the hood. He even saw one parked with a " For Sale" (Se Vende) sign on the windshield.

I have to wonder if the Soviet Bloc unloaded some of the older Russian made GAZ engines down there and this is what the Cuban A's are running on? The Cubans are truly masters of keeping things running under any and all circumstances.

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

That's the fist thing they do, rip out the gas (fuel cost too high) and put in diesel.

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

I watched the show called "Cuban Chrome" and it took me back! A 52/53 Oldsmobile with a diesel marine engine. $30 dollar bearings for a steering box! A 58 belair 4 dr hardtop with half the parts missing! These were just the problems that Cuban car owners face. Then there was the Cuban Car club and they had Mod A s and a hot rod. The purpose of buying the 58 Chev. for $9000 was to restore it! In the US, it would have been a parts car. Actually, instead of taking cars out of Cuba, the money is in getting pre 59 parts into Cuba.
Terry

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

I had to turn it off as soon as they introduced the first car as a 1934 Ford Model A.

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

Yeah, I WILL give them that they have been pretty creative with what they had to work with.

Terry, in their quest for pre-1959 parts if they start getting Vintique parts from some of the U.S. vendors, that will start a riot and all of the work towards normalizing relations will have been for not;)

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

Yes, the 34 Model A with what looked like a Dodge or Plymouth grille. I also enjoyed the steering bearings that turned into a u joint. How hard would it have been to have gotten their facts right? It is possible that the Cubans thought they had a 34 Model A. More than a few Americans would get that wrong, too. I still enjoyed it. Discovery Channel HQ is right down the street from me. Supporting the local company!

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

The "reality" car shows are usually just too much BS put together quickly by a producer.

"restored" cars selling for high prices with no headliner installed.

An explaination of Turbocharging by the owner of the shop informing us that the turbo takes the spent exhaust gas and runs in back up to the exhaust to be used again. LOL

Chasing Classics is pretty good, but all the cars are out of my price range.

I'd love to see a series about home restorations, with the TV folks supplying all the parts and a couple of helpers.

:cool:

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

Someone at Iola asked my friend if he had any parts for his 1936 Model A?:confused:

I knew he meant 1936 Ford, but Model T and Model A sure get hung on a lot of cars.

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

Exactly my thoughts to a 'T' (or is that an 'A'?) Fantom Works is half way palpable, Wayne Carini yeah OK but outside of those shows I flip the channel anymore. Big waste of time. They get pretty stupid. Fast and Furious gets under my skin anymore those guys are too much. Forget Am. Pickers I haven't watched that nonsense in a LONG long time don't know if it's even on anymore.............

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

My last trip a month ago, I took 3 gas caps, 2 rad caps and five points and condenser. Along with pencils, eyeglasses and band aids! They would rather have car parts than food. Wayne

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

Roller bearings seem pretty high on their lists too! It reminds me of when my Mother got all but airfare, paid trip to Venice in 1965. She took (At her hosts request) about a half a suitcase full of spark plugs for Evinrude and Johnson out board motors. In Italy, then, they cost about the equivalent of $5.00 apiece.
Terry

Re: OT - Show on maintaining old cars in Cuba
 

wayne, I have been under the impression that cuba's car parts are scarce because of lack of funds.we are the only country that has an embargo with cuba.american car parts are available everywhere.(most are now made in china). tom:)