Cuba’s Classic Car Phenomenon

If you’re a vintage car enthusiast, Cuba needs to be on your travel bucket list! While strolling through the streets of Havana, you are bound to see many classic cars cruising up and down the road. So why does Cuba have so many vintage automobiles? Keep reading to learn more about the history of Cuba’s classic car phenomenon.

Why does Cuba have so many classic cars?

If your dream car was made before 1960, you’ll likely see it cruising around the streets of Cuba. This is due to the US trade embargo that went into effect when Fidel Castro assumed power at the end of the Cuban Revolution. Although the United States was formerly the top importer of automobiles for Cuba, the Cuban Revolution would change everything.

1900-1959: The Glory Days

The first automobile, called La Parisienne, was brought from France to Cuba in 1898. However, the United States became the top importer of cars in Cuba at the beginning of the 1900s. Cuba quickly became one of the leading countries in the number of vehicles per capita.

The Ford T was introduced to Cuba and was nicknamed the “fontigo,” which is still a term used on the island today to describe an old, worn-down car. This country was also a hot market for brands like Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Buick, and Chrysler. High-end establishments in Havana sold other car brands, like Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Mercury, Packard, and Studebaker. Many vehicles were brought directly from U.S. factories to Port Havana in only a few days.

Occasionally, certain models would be brought to Cuba before being available in the United States. Cuban roads were often used as a test track for car companies in America, so Cuba often saw the newest and fanciest cars of the era. Some Americans travelled to Cuba to buy a car and then took it home via ferry from Havana to Florida. By 1956, Cuba had over 143,000 cars on its streets, with 95,000 of these in Havana.

Notable figures and classic car culture

Public figures who lived in Cuba during the first half of the 1900s bought into the car frenzy that had taken over the entire island. The most sought-after escort in Havana during the early 1900s, La Macorina, was the first woman in Cuba to be seen driving a car. Legend has it that she owned nine cars that wealthy lovers and admirers had gifted to her.

Ernest Hemingway with his Lancia Flaminia

Ernest Hemingway, an American writer that lived in Cuba for 20 years, owned seven cars at his property outside Havana, which included a Buick Sedan Coupe convertible, Lincoln Cabriolet Continental, Plymouth Deluxe Special Wagon, and a 1947 Buick Super Road Master convertible. His wife, Mary, also drove a yellow 1953 Plymouth Cranbrook convertible. A red and white 1955 Chrysler New Yorker, which belonged to Hemingway, was found a few years ago and can be viewed at Finca Varga, the Hemingway Museum in Cuba.

1959-1990s: Cold War and Embargo

In 1959, the Cuban Revolution turned business partners into enemies. While cars continued to be manufactured in the southern U.S., they were no longer imported to Cuba. Into the 1960s, not one single screw or carport from the U.S. found its way to Cuba. While America had formerly been an integral part of Cuba’s love affair with cars, this was no longer the case.

With the source of new cars cut off, Cubans had to get creative with what they already had. Many became mechanics, honing in on their innovative skills to improve older cars. Old American cars were repaired with imported parts from the USSR, and cars from other countries were introduced, like Ford Falcons, V.W. Beatles, and Italian Alfa Romeos, which are all still driven throughout the island.

Today, over 70,000 cars out of the original 150,000 registered in 1956 are still in working condition. Many use these cars for everyday use, primarily in Havana. The fact that over 50% of Cuba’s vintage vehicles can still be driven is a testament to the ingenuity of Cuban mechanics!

The 2000s: A Classic Car Comeback

American cars from the 40s and 50s are still used for everyday transportation in Cuba. Many of these vehicles are used as collective taxis throughout Havana, also known as “almendrones.” Most of these vehicles have kept their bodies intact with only minor renovations, while others have been modified to run on diesel engines instead of the original V8.

The Cuban cars that maintain a perfect body and vivid colours, typically refurbished, are mainly used as a tourist attraction, giving visitors tours of Havana for 25-50 CUC per hour. About 5-10% of all classic cars in Cuba today have been carefully preserved and repaired only using the original parts.

In 2010, a law was passed that prevented foreigners from exporting Cuban cars, so, unfortunately, you cannot buy a car in Cuba unless you are a resident. These vintage cars can get quite expensive. Old Soviet cars can start at around $10,000, while American cars range between $30,000 and $100,000.

The Future

It is impossible to predict the future, and the fate of Cuban cars depends on several factors. If the embargo is lifted, there are two options for classic cars. First, the end of the embargo would mean that more American tourists could visit, causing drivers to boost their income and invest in their old cars.

The other option is that the owners would use their earnings to buy newer cars with better gas mileage, meaning that the old cars could end up in the junkyard. However, there will always be people who have a passion for preserving vintage automobiles, and many of these people live in Cuba. With the proper resources, these cars may be running for years to come.

The bottom line

While Cuba boasts many things to do and incredible natural beauty, one of its main charms is the old-timey cars that seem to fill up the streets. One thing is for sure, Havana wouldn’t be Havana without the vibrant colours and curves of these vintage gems.

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