Monday, June 22, 2009

The World's Old Car Haven

Cuba - The World's Old Car Haven
June 21, 9:21 AM

It is estimated that 60,000 pre 1960 cars still drive the streets of Cuba

American cars from the 40's and 50's dominate the Cuban landscape.
These cars have served over 50 years in many cases as taxi cabs and
daily drivers with no signs of stopping. It is estimated that 60,000
pre-1960 automobiles still travel the streets of Cuba. About 150,000
existed at the time of the 1959 revolution, shortly after which the
Detroit auto giants and all American manufacturers were forced to stop
sending goods to Cuba to conform to the United States' embargo.

There are no swap meets in Cuba, no antique car parts catalogs to browse
thru and order from. Simply, parts are hard to come by. But owners
become creative when backed into a corner and this creativity keeps many
of these classic American cars on the road. Perhaps Havana is the king
of 'backyard mechanics' as some of the owner's shown in the video find
ways to keep their old cars running - would you believe a Japanese
diesel engine in a '57 Chevy convertible?


Watch the video and you will see that '57 Chevy along with many other
classic American cars on the island that are not collected and shown
off, but continue to provide transportation as they were originally
designed to do.

Cuba - The World's Old Car Haven (21 June 2009)
http://www.examiner.com/x-14108-Dallas-Classic-Cars-Examiner~y2009m6d21-Cuba--The-Worlds-Old-Car-Haven

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