The lost cars of Cuba

[Larry S.]

http://www.hagerty.com/scottsdale/sitecore/content/Home/Hagerty-Online/News/Features/All-articles/2011/12/20/Cars-of-Cuba?utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_medium=email&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=December%20Hagerty%20News

[Brian M.]

Re: The lost cars of Cuba

The amazing part is that they have been in service since new.

[Larry S.]

Re: The lost cars of Cuba

The amazing part is that they have been in service since new.

Yes, and to still be running through home-made ingenuity, like hand-forged pistons. I did not know, as the article claims, that most of them have been converted to diesel engines. So, why the need for spark plugs?

[Jim S.]

Re: The lost cars of Cuba

We went on a mission trip to Cuba two years ago. We rented quite new Hyundi vans. There are a lot of new European, Japanese, Korean, and other world vehicles on the road. But absolutely nothing from the U.S.A. The new vehicles are either rentals (for tourists) or they are used by Party Members. The ordinary Cuban citizen has either a family owned 50's vehicle (pre-revolution), otherwise he/she has no chance of ever being able to afford one.

This picture kind of says it all. Horse drawn carriage, bicycle, people walking, and a 1957 Ford all in the same picture.

I have more pictures but just don't have time to post them.

BTW, a lot of the old cars have aftermarket lamps mounted on their rear fenders. I assume that they are brake lights but I don't know why the additional lights were added unless the owners can't find the correct brake light bulbs.

Also, the exterior sheet metal is generally in decent shape. But typically the interiors are really worn.

Jim