Retro rides in Cuba

About ten years ago I viewed a PBS show about those old cars in Cuba; don't recall the title of the program.

.

I was really impressed by the creativity of those Cubans who managed to make parts for those old cars.

The original American engines have long ago been replaced by whatever Russian engine would fit.

.

One man was filmed making brake pads and attaching them to the original brake shoes.

I'd be very surprised if the EPA or OSHA would permit an American to do what that Cuban was doing.

I didn't know PBS did a show on that. Looks like I'm gonna have to do a little digging around on youtube or PBS website and see what I can find. Those Cubans know how to take care of their classic rides though.

I did find a reference to how cars are repaired in Cuba

http://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/2ka9y5/til_most_cars_on_the_road_in_cuba_are_classic/

I read somewhere they used Russian auto engines?

Anyone up for a road/sea trip to bring a couple back to the US? It's only 90 miles from Florida coast to Cuba. ROFL!!!

I was just recently vacationing in Cuba (Canadian traveller) and it's absolutely a car guys fantasy vacation!! Mostly Chevy, but, lots of Fords, Mercurys and a few Chryslers. I have a pic of my standing beside a mint 55 Chevy BelAir...what a beauty! My highlight was a bright pink 58? Cadillac Coupe de Ville. Amazing how they keep them running and NO RUST. It's amazing.

Given recent changes in the relationship between the US and Cuba, I wouldn't be suprised if Cuban cars turn into a hot export market for collectors.

I know a lot of home made hot rodders who would love to get their hands on one but I suspect IF (and that's a big IF) they are allowed back in the country they will all have to come back via some type of antique car reseller with uber connections... and they'll want uber money for them. ; )

Cuba, where every traffic jam is a car show. Sweet! Except for that pea green Lada. Eww.

The so called "third world" countries really put us to shame in the make do, make it work/live on arena.

When I was in Thailand in the mid 70's we had a couple of old M- whatevers in the squadron that they had a hard time getting parts for.  Sent the broke stuff downtown and here comes replacement stuff made on site and back up and running again.

Would be in line if they had a '53 Chevy Convertible for sale.  All I needed to fix mine was a screwdriver, pliers and a set of sockets.  You could crawl under the hood and work on anything.  After blowing the trans at Atco Raceway, I bought a used cab trans at the junk yard for $10 and put it in myself in two days.  There were junkyards everywhere. The nearest one to me now is about 50 miles away, you have to search the whole place for what you need and take it out. Now, you practically have to take the engine out of a car just to change the spark plugs. 

Jim 

Last time I visited a junkyard was in the Chicago metro area perhaps 15 years ago.

One junk yard let me remove the parts ......others were restricting access for safety reasons.

Ah, it was so nice to be able to open the hood of a car and actually see the engine.

Removing the engine to replace spark plugs isn't exactly new, though.

I seem to recall a late 1970s era Chevy Monza having that reputation.

.

I have a hunch future generations won't be visiting car shows in the year 2065 to view "classic" 2015 cars ................if for no other reason than the plethora of on board computers in modern cars.

Some of the 60's muscle mopars it was easier to take a hole saw and drill access through the aprons to get to the plugs

Saw a news clip showing a 55 Chevy with a 56 Pontiac grill chugging down the street,  looked neat!