Now running on Motor Trend. You have to watch this to appreciate how Cubans identity with HAMB practices….enjoy
This show first aired a few years ago. At that time I had just purchased a good running original 283 pull out from a friends 65 Impala. After seeing how hard these car guys in Cuba struggle to obtain parts I attempted to contact the production company that developed this series. I intended to offer the 283 and supporting accoutrements to this gentleman as a donation. I could not get any response or coordination from them regarding my intentions. The motor still sits in my shop. I really think it could have been a great help to a gentleman whom was needing to hock his living room sofa for a valve job. I assume it had something to do with the embargo on Cuba. These people really do struggle to achieve a bit of what is totally normal for U S citizens.
I also stumbled into the show today when I was looking for some Mecum Auction coverage. I am just not sure yet.....maybe it's an acquired taste ? I did dvr a few episodes to see a little more,
Having recently returned from Cuba, it is amazing to see (my guess only) maybe 25% of all the cars on the road there are American (mostly GM) from 1959 and back. Many cars have later Japanese diesel engines replacing the original engines. Also there were many straight axles replacing the original independent front suspension. We visited a shop that has a fleet of rag tops and a restoration shop to keep them running. The owner told me that it is expensive but not impossible to get parts from the US. He had a 38' Chevy pickup with a nasty sounding 350 in it that was his personal ride. To get a tank of gas in Havana can take up to three days waiting in line (some people pay to have someone sit in their car for them) with the line extending for blocks and blocks. It looked like the 1970's gas shortage here. I think about 75% of the gas stations we passed were out of business. Tough place to be a car guy for sure!
The Jalopy Journal
