Cuba’s Classic Cars
Cuba has never had a car manufacturing industry, so they relied solely on automotive imports to populate the island’s roads. During the Cuban-Spanish-American War, the first car ever imported to Cuba was a La Parisienne from a little-known French manufacturer in 1898. However, after the turn of the century, Cuba’s primary source of cars and parts was the United States. By 1919, Cuba was the largest Latin American importer of US cars and parts and was among the countries with the highest number of vehicles per capita in the world. The classic Ford Model T was ubiquitous on Cuba’s streets, Cuba was used as a test track for many American car manufacturers, meaning that cars were often available in Cuba before being available for sale in the US. Companies such as Ford, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Chrysler shipped their latest models to the US’s southern-most ports, and the cargo would arrive in Havana within a few days. By 1956, there were more than 140,000 cars in Cuba with approximately 90,000 on the streets of Havana.
Fidel Castro placed an embargo on the US and foreign imports, which meant that no American cars were exported to the island. The embargo even extended to include car parts, which had serious implications for Cuban car owners. With no new cars coming into the country and no parts available to make repairs, car owners had to make a choice: Either let their cars rust in the garage or use what parts they had available and make repairs themselves. In 2016, Fidel Castro’s brother, Raul Castro, relaxed the need for permission to buy foreign cars and finally lifted the ban on importing American cars and parts. This led to an influx of brand-new cars onto Cuba’s roads. Many wondered if this would signal the end of Cuba’s classic car industry. While Cubans’ love of vintage cars is ingrained in their culture and makes up a vital part of their tourism industry, there is another reason why you will still see plenty of old cars in Cuba – the cost. New car imports are still highly regulated, and the pricing makes purchasing a car unrealistic for most Cuban locals. The state still has a monopoly on Cuban car sales, which means prices are high.
Tourists rush to book rides in classic ‘57 Chevy Bel Air convertibles that cruise slowly through the streets of Havana Vieja and Varadero. Prices for classic car tours are around 25-30 Cuban dollars per hour, but the price is worth every penny for the opportunity to experience a slice of authentic Cuban culture. Many classic car owners happily offer their cars and driving services to hire for tours around the island. One of the most beautiful ways to experience the country is a classic car tour through tobacco growing regions. All car rental companies are government-owned, so you will need to have the appropriate documentation to hire a car. Also, restored classic cars are uncommon and are rented at a higher price than standard cars. Renting a classic car and driver is a better option for travelers looking for a short tour. Vintage cars also provide an informative and safe way to travel around Cuba and see the sights. If you are planning a trip to Cuba, book a trip in one of Cuba’s authentic classic cars because you are guaranteed an unforgettable experience.
Classic car conversations
It is strange how an earthquake 4,000 miles away seems less of a catastrophe than the first scratch on your classic car.
“Girlfriend, How was your blind date?”
“Terrible!” The roommate answered. “He showed up in his 1932 Rolls Royce.”
“Wow! That’s a very expensive classic car. What’s so bad about that?”
“He was the original owner.”
John: “My uncle in Detroit tried to make a new kind of car. He took the engine from a Ford, the transmission from an Oldsmobile, the tires from a Cadillac, and the exhaust system from a Plymouth.”
Dave: “Really? What did he get?”
John: “Fifteen years.”
The auto mechanic shook his head and looked sadly as he wiped his hands on a shop rag and gave his verdict to the customer. “This is a very, very bad situation, I suggest we deep freeze the car and save it until some mechanics of the future discover some way to repair it.”
April 7th Birthdays
1970 – MacKenzie Scott, 1994 – Giselle Kuri, 1974 – Jenna Fischer, 1915 – Billie Holiday
1933 – Wayne Rogers, 1975 – Tiki Barber, 1964 – Russel Crowe, 1954 – Jackie Chan