Here is a story about the cars in cuba that they have kept running since the revolution with virtually no replacement parts. I've always wanted to go there just to sit at a corner and watch the traffic. I wonder if they have the H.A.M.B. in cuba. http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/05/14/cuba.cars.reut/index.html
You can go there from Mexico the Bahamas or any other Carribbean island. No direct flights from the US. Cuba is awesome I hear, the people are cool and real inventive, 'cause thats what ya gonna be if you are poor, just like me. Less is more.
Theoretically, yes, but if you are a US resident, it is illegal to enter Cuba and you may be in deep shit when you return.
I also think that anyone that can take an old car and turn into a boat and then sail it from Cuba to the U.S. should be let into the U.S. And we'll ship a nintendo playing couch potato back in exchange. Actually we'll send two, we have plenty.
This clip is from the article "Castro announced plans in February to buy 8,000 Chinese buses and trucks, a $1 billion investment to modernize the island's transport system." All we need now is China backing Cuba. Hate to be paranoid but Cuba is too close to be in any other super power's hip pocket.
I wonder if I could trade a used Kia to somebody in Cuba for a 57 Chevy Convert? Hopefully one without a Russian Diesel engine in it though....Gary 4T950 Chevy Guy
I read that article earlier today and thought about posting it, especially since they refer to the cars as "jalopies". I'm one of the unlucky few to be born on the Gitmo navy base, back when it was navy, not marine, so my passport states country of birth as Cuba. That's always good for a double take coming back into the country. Nik
i like how they are using GAZ motors on mitsu transmissions on any other cobbled together part. I'd love to take a shipping container down there and fill it up with cars and bring em home.
Here's a few pics I took a couple of years ago in Havana. We need to put together a humanitarian mission to teach these heathens how to lower a car
I have this "friend" that went there a few years ago and had the time of his/her life! Old cars, live music, tiki bar or two, cigars and rum. No better vacation.
i like the end of the article where they say the 50s chevys are the most durable & have lasted an entire lifetime & then says the manufacturers must have made a mistake by building them so well.
Just recently there was a bill that loosened up the travel restrictions for Americans, if you apply for an "educational" visa, they have "educational" charter flights and you can visit. The law is American's can't spend money while there. That is assuming that if your trip was purely "educational" your host would take care of you. I assume there are ways around that too. You can still fly from Canada to Cuba also, and there is a sailing regatta that leaves from Clearwater (near me) to Havana and back every year and they have had very little problems, mostly miscommunications like people not telling the right people when to expect 30 American sailboats. I think there was a dicussion a while back about shipping the cars back here. #1 there are a lot of 4dr sedans, they were/are the most useful. #2 These cars have been in a sub-tropical environment on an island surrounded by salt-water, that is often hit by hurricanes and their tidal surges for at least 48 years, you ain't gonna find a rust-free one. #3 Getting an automobile out of Cuba is going to take the cooperation of a lot of people... gov't employees... How angry do you think DMV employees would be if they got $24 a week to put up with you? I would imagine that they can be made more cooperative if you triple their weekly salary. add that to the shipping.
"I also think that anyone that can take an old car and turn into a boat and then sail it from Cuba to the U.S. should be let into the U.S. And we'll ship a nintendo playing couch potato back in exchange. Actually we'll send two, we have plenty." I'll say...anybody who shows that much ingenuity, courage, and hardwork getting here damn well should be let in. With the car.
Is that movie clip from the movie that was on pbs a while ago? I saw it and it was pretty cool. all about old cars in cuba. tons of vintage american tin. they even were holding car shows and reliability runs and stuff it was pretty cool. They were really passionate about the cars.
Maybe we should start another thread on JJ, but I read an article about the guys down there who ride the same vintage Harleys, they have a passion about them that would put most American motorcyclists to shame. They actually risk their lives for parts. they make and repair major components sometimes using hand tools and scrap materials, all so they can ride.
I've been there 3 times. Here's what I noted. #1- Very true, although there are a few 2 doors like this fine example of a '56 Chevy. #2- Depends on where you live. 3 year old cars here are as rusty as these cuban cars. One man's thrash is another man's treasure. #3- I'm no cuban law expert, but from what I've heard when I was there, you can't take an old car out of Cuba, period! Even if you could, they have such transportation problems over there that cars are cherished possessions that can bring in a good income. The car is probably worth more to them than it is to you. You can't sell or buy them anyways, even within the island, just pass them from generation to generation. It's like that for houses too. Are there HAMBers of cuban origin that know better than I do? Sorry for the resolution of these pics, they're the only ones I have.
they sunk a few of them boat cars on monster garage... shoulda been asking one of them guys in the blue boat...haha
The Jalopy Journal
