by "carzcarzcarz" (carzcarzcarz)
Published 03/28/2017 at 16:40
by "carzcarzcarz" (carzcarzcarz)
Published 03/28/2017 at 16:40
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STARS: 11
Recently returned from my trip to Cuba, and wanted to share the experience with others.
While we were waiting in the ridiculously long line to exchange money at the airport, I ran across the street to snap a few pics of some cars just sitting in the parking lot. Good start to the trip
For the most part the majority of cars are older in Cuba, but they do have newer cars running around too. I saw quite a few newer Hyundai’s being driven, and not just the yellow taxi’s. Also saw a lot of Lada’s and Geely’s.
Photo dump below of all the rest of the cars seen throughout the trip:
In the front parking lot of the Revolution Museum they had some cool outlines of cars and a helicopter. See if you can spot what they are (first one is interesting):
Took a tour of Havana in some classic taxi cars:
One of the cabbie’s was happy to show he still had the original V8 engine. A lot of the cars have been swapped over to diesel 4 cylinders. The smell of diesel is always present around the city.
Back to pics of other cars around Havana.
*Being a car enthusiast is helpful if you are looking for a cab in Havana. Whenever I was checking out the multitude of old cars on the street I would constantly get honked at and asked if I needed a taxi. (Sorry, no I don’t need a taxi, I was just checking out your car, please continue on so I can stare some more and try to take pictures)
Also, I didn’t wear a seatbelt the entire time in Cuba, and not by choice as I don’t think I saw any of the older cars equipped with them anymore. But everybody that even touched a motorcycle had a helmet on! Even when it was Dad driving with kid sandwiched between him and mom on the back of the bike, they all had helmets on. So good on the government for that law being followed by everyone.
Overall it was a great trip and truly a mecca for older cars (caught a sweet ride in a ‘48 Hudson). I’m glad we went when we did, you can tell they are preparing for an influx of tourists and I’m sure it will be quite busy and more modern the next time we go.
"Brian, The Life of" (familycar)
03/28/2017 at 16:55, STARS: 3
RAD PHOTOS! That said, I am wildly disappointed by this one. I’ve been looking high and low for side molding for the ‘55 Fairlane Town Sedan. The fact that this ‘55 is sporting trim work from a ‘56 is bad news for me because if even Cubans can’t find these parts, I’m hosed!
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
03/28/2017 at 17:02, STARS: 2
Awesome photos!
That green Renault 4cv looks so much sportier than it does stock, I want it!
"MrDakka" (mrdakka)
03/28/2017 at 17:04, STARS: 1
Everyday must be like going to a classic car show! Also you didn’t happen to bring back some cigars for the rest of us, did you?
"carzcarzcarz" (carzcarzcarz)
03/28/2017 at 17:05, STARS: 0
Thanks, I only had my phone camera so I got lucky with the weather and the pictures coming out as good as they did.
Good eye on the trim, I hadn’t noticed it till you pointed it out. I’m still amazed at how many cars were still running, and the condition that they were in. Not all were super clean of course, but the majority looked decent and ran well enough.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
03/28/2017 at 17:07, STARS: 1
1987-1995 Peugeot 405 with a logo in the grille sourced from a later Peugeot. It looks odd that way.
"carzcarzcarz" (carzcarzcarz)
03/28/2017 at 17:13, STARS: 0
Yeah it felt like a car show as soon as I got out of the airport. After couple of days there it started to feel normal to see so many classics drive by and not be a car meet or movie set or something.
I can not confirm on what “souvenirs” were brought back, but my luggage was pretty heavy on return flight. We did take a day trip to Vernales for a tour of the valley where they grow the tabacco.
"Scott" (merl3noir)
03/28/2017 at 18:40, STARS: 0
Umm, from my understanding.. I would not look to cuba for cars, or car parts. Most the cars have been so patched up and bubblegummed together, there is little left of the original car.
"Scott" (merl3noir)
03/28/2017 at 18:43, STARS: 1
I was surprised to run into a large Cuban community on a trip to Dresden. Before the wall came down the Soviet block countries where one of the few places Cubans could easily visit. Those over there when the wall came down, stayed and enjoyed the free life.
"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
03/28/2017 at 18:45, STARS: 1
I spent a week in Cuba in January. I did a lot of the same stuff, old Havana, revolution square, Vinales tobacco farm, bringing back rum... It was a fantastically good trip.
What did you think of the air quality in Havana. So much unfiltered diesel exhaust. It was not pleasant.
"Brian, The Life of" (familycar)
03/28/2017 at 19:18, STARS: 0
Well they never threw anything away so that might be true for wearing parts but not necessarily non-wearing parts like trim pieces.
"fhrblig" (fhrblig)
03/28/2017 at 19:26, STARS: 0
A Daewoo Tico? Those poor people.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
03/28/2017 at 20:21, STARS: 1
I like that the Jeep has a 4-lug rear end and a 5-lug front end. At least they’re prepared with two spares!
"Speed" (raggedrides)
03/28/2017 at 20:52, STARS: 1
Awesome cars, carz! Thanks for sharing
"KnowsAboutCars" (knowsaboutcars)
03/29/2017 at 04:34, STARS: 1
I think that’s the first facelift the 3rd world 405 received after 406 replaced it elsewhere.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
03/29/2017 at 05:03, STARS: 0
Oh wow. You might actually be right.
"carzcarzcarz" (carzcarzcarz)
03/29/2017 at 08:24, STARS: 0
I experienced the same, Lots of diesel smoke in the air. Not always pleasent when driving around, especially if you get stuck behind some almost coal roaling cars.
"carzcarzcarz" (carzcarzcarz)
03/29/2017 at 08:26, STARS: 0
A couple of the people we talked with over there all said the same thing, that Russia was basically the only place they could travel to. They don’t need a visa to travel there, but to go anywhere else they need one and it’s Very hard to get.
"carzcarzcarz" (carzcarzcarz)
03/29/2017 at 08:30, STARS: 0
My pleasure, it was a unique experience that I’m sure other jalops would have enjoyed.