American Cars In Cuba…The Amazing Story

Vintage American cars. Mention Cuba and those old cars are probably one of the first images that come to mind. It seems like every article written about Havana or Cuba ALWAYS shows vintage American cars. So we weren’t surprised to see a near-parade of them cruising past our ship as soon as we docked in Havana.

Take a look at just a few of the MANY amazing cars we saw that day…

I won’t “reinvent the wheel” (excuse the pun) with car facts because I found a website that contains some incredible information. To read the history of  those vintage cars in Cuba click right HERE.

Our three hour walking tour of the old city of “Habana” was amazing. Read all about it right HERE. (A three hour tour? That sounds like Gilligan’s Island!) 

Cuba And Cars – Up Close And Personal

At the end of three hours of walking through the hot and humid cobblestone streets of Havana I was tired. (Imagine that!) Our guide Nelson gave us a few minutes to take photos and I found the PERFECT spot…for photos AND a rest.

This Havana parking lot is a gathering place for the Cuban drivers to congregate and to show off their cars to the tourists…and to each other! Peepaw took off for a closer look to study the cars. But I headed to a bench to sit down and rest. And I couldn’t wait to talk to some of the drivers who had congregated there.

Before we left on our cruise I watched a wonderful episode of the TV show called Parts Unknown. Chef and author Anthony Bourdain visited Cuba. He went with some of the car drivers to a remote stretch of road where they gather every Sunday…to RACE those old cars! I asked the guys if any of them go there to race their cars. The men who spoke English laughed and said most of them do. And one man quickly bragged that he always won! It was a fun conversation as he haltingly translated my comments to the rest of the group who spoke no English. But their ready smiles and laughter needed no interpretation.

Off To The Market…

Soon our guide interrupted our conversation to herd us on to a market for some souvenir shopping. (Personally, I would have preferred to stay to talk to those drivers to learn more about them and their families.)

A parking lot, a park bench and some very proud Cubans. What a wonderful memory I have of the people of Havana…and of the American cars they cherish!

Next? We’re off to the market. And on the way we’ll get a glimpse of the “Haves and Have Nots” of Havana. You’re in store for a truly eye opening experience.