Cars (and other vehicles) of Cuba

Do you think your ’02 Chevy Tahoe with 170k miles is at the end of its life? Try driving a ’55 Suburban that you inherited from you father. This is a gallery of car pictures from Cuba, where the only way to have a car is to keep the one you have running. Here are 70 images of what you could be driving if you were born in Cuba.

Note: Click View with PicLens for best visual effect.

From the photographer:

In these pictures I have tried to show what these cars are really like; driven daily, fixed and maintained in any way possible, just to survive. They have been passed from one generation to the next and are considered a prime commodity. They maybe some of the priciest possessions as all housing is state owned. To understand these cars is to understand the people of Cuba. Despite living in what some would consider poverty, people are chugging along, seem relatively optimistic, and are looking forward to better days ahead.

As mentioned above, the cars themselves are  not in as mint as one would imagine. They all have been repainted several times. The paint quality and probably the painting process itself is not what one would call an industry standard. I spoke with one cabby about his 1950′s Ford convertible; he said that it was his father’s car. Since he’s had it, he has replaced the transmission from a 3-speed to a 5-speed (yes, a “five-on-the-tree” set up, totally crazy) and had a few body panels re-fabricated by hand.

On the mass transit side, people are generally being bused around in trucks. A typical Havana bus is essentially an American truck with bus-type looking trailer and is called “the dragon” by locals. I was told it’s like an R-rated movie: adult language, violence and brief nudity. The “buses” that run between cities are gated flatbed trucks with the people piled up in the back.

Currently, you can see all kinds of cars in Cuba; from the Communist Eastern Block Fiats, Ladas, and UAZs, current Asian and European models, to the 50-plus year old American iron. There is also a large number of current American vehicles, which I’ve learned come by the way of Canada. With all these other cars slowly coming into Cuba, people are realizing that the days of their beloved old American iron are coming to an end. I have learned that owning an old American car is slowing becoming trendy and a whole car culture dedicated to keep them running is emerging.

Please enjoy the pictures. If you have the ability to travel to Cuba, do yourself a favor and go as soon as possible. It is an unbelievable experience to see this magnificent country and its people in its current state. When you do go, remember that the best meal you can get is at a private “restaurant” (home) of the locals; the food is great, the price is low and the experience is unforgettable.

- Juan (use contact button for email)

[View with PicLens]

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DISCLAIMER: These pictures were taken by a Mexican-national friend of  mine, Juan, who is looking for some exposure as a photographer. If the pictures and the write up look familiar, it’s because you may have seen them here. However, to show that these are his original pictures, this gallery includes some images from the same series which have not been previously seen.

Note: all images and are property of carguydad.com and are watermarked. Please use the contact page if you would like to link to this page/site. Thank you. K.