Cuba: the rolling car museum that still works for the revolution

Under the force of the revolution, every Cuban lucky enough to own a car has become a mechanic and restorer at the same time, and among the most skilled you could find anywhere in the world. Roughly half of the island’s car fleet dates from before 1959, the year the communists came to power. And 51 years later, Cuba’s cars have not only given exceptional service thanks to the ingenuity of their owners, who keep them running as best they can. They have also served the revolution well, or at least the original ideals of the revolution.

Studebaker, Nash Rambler, Kaiser, De Soto, Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Plymouth, Buick, Pontiac… and a long list: every conceivable make from the 1940s and 1950s, plus some European models from the same era. All of them are maintained in an incredible way, most of them converted to diesel with adapted Perkins engines.

However much some collectors dream that the trade embargo on Cuba will be lifted one day so they can get their hands on these cars, the truth is that there would not be much worth having. All of them have been converted, modified or changed to whatever necessity demanded at the time. Almost all have been repainted, and they no longer have their original engines or original wiring. Moreover, in most cases the spare parts needed for repairs were made almost by hand and are not of very good quality. These cars may look one way on the outside, but on the inside they are something very different.

Despite the difficulties Cubans face in keeping these cars running, their only possession, they spare no effort in proudly showing the world their works of modern art. These vehicles are valued more highly than in other countries because behind them lies a whole family history, enriched for at least the last 40 years. Part of Cuba’s history is inscribed on its old cars. Cuba is, in short, a rolling museum.

Photos | Flickr