Why Are There So Many Old Cars in Cuba?
Go anywhere in Cuba and you can see a vast array of classic American cars. Among them are Plymouth, Ford, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Buick. Outside of Cuba, car collectors spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on vintage cars like these. But much to the delight of tourists the old cars in Cuba are driven everyday! So why are there so many old cars in Cuba?! In the 1950s Cuba was a popular vacation destination for Americans. The wealthy ones imported 125, 000 American-made cars. However, Fidel Castro took power in 1959 and banned foreign vehicle imports. This made it not only impossible to buy new cars but also very difficult to source parts and fuel for the cars that were already there. The Cubans obtained some cars from China and Russia but with those countries being so far away they continued to drive the cars from the 50s.
How Can All The Old Cars in Cuba Still be Running?
The Cuban people have kept these cars running through their resourcefulness and ingenuity. A combination of original parts, hand-built improvised parts, parts taken from other cars and sometimes newer parts that have been bartered from others are used to keep the old cars in Cuba running. Diesel engines have replaced many of the original engines. Similarly, the Cubans have rebuilt and repaired these diesel engines. Quite simply, they are more economical to run. For more than 50 years the Cubans’ innovation has kept these cars on the road.
How Can I Get a Ride in a Classic Car?
VC Tours offers private tours and transfers at an exceptional price. You are able to fully customise your tour. In addition we offer a number of different choices:
- convertible or hard top
- shore excursions from cruises
- beach tours
- meals at paladares
- Mantanzas day tour and Bellamar Cave
- Bay of Pigs day tour
- transfers between Varadero and Havana
- and much, much more
Our guides and drivers are all very friendly, respectful and extremely knowledgeable. They offer an authentic Cuban tour and a chance to be a part of the local life. Our guides are fluent in English. Furthermore, we offer guided tours in French, Italian, Russian and German. Our cars are very clean and mechanically sound. You can ride in air conditioned comfort in our hard tops or conversely with the breeze in your hair in a convertible. Booking is easy and secure through our website. Book a tour today!
