American Cars In Cuba

That s why cuba is the way it is today essentially a living museum for classic cars.
American cars in cuba. Some american cars in havana date back to the 1940s yamil lage afp getty images. In 1962 cuba became isolated from the world when the u s. This ford super deluxe ca. 1947 is one intriguing example.
It was a model most people don t hear about these days. American cars were imported into cuba for about 50 years beginning near the early 20th century. With no new american cars or parts the cuban population had to make do with what parts and vehicles they already had mainly 1940s and 50s era classics. Pre 1960 vehicles remain the property of their original owners and descendants and can be sold to other cubans providing the proper traspaso certificate is in place.
It seems like every article written about havana or cuba always shows vintage american cars. Of cuba s vintage american cars many have been modified with newer engines disc brakes and other parts often scavenged from soviet cars and most bear the marks of decades of use. Ask anyone who has visited cuba to name a few iconic features of this caribbean island and the chances are that they are going to mention cuban cigars white sandy beaches rum salsa and classic american cars that grace the streets of havana and other cities in cuba. Cuba is literally a rolling car museum.
The first automobile was brought to cuba from france in 1898 during the cuban spanish american war on the island. Everywhere you look is an old school american brand vehicle ranging from oldsmobile to chevrolet buick to ford with a nice sampling of chrysler s old. As of 2016 this car still made the rounds in cuba. Embargo was erected and castro banned the importation of american cars and mechanical parts.
Note the three riders up front in this vehicle that dates back seven decades. After the cuban revolution the u s. After the turn of the century the united states soon became the main provider of cars for cuba. When i first came to cuba for work 1998 there were more chinese bicycles on the road than classic american cars.
Classic american cars in cuba are believed to number about 60 000 and are the subject of renewed interest mostly by classic car collectors in north america who are eager to see the full re opening of trade in order to get their hands on some of the rarest automotive finds. Mention cuba and those old cars are probably one of the first images that come to mind. Enacted an embargo blocking companies from trading with the island. And while cuba has a lot more to offer other than great restaurants and simple tourist features if you are looking to enjoy.