1950s American Classic Cars

Bumper Sticker

Cars are probably the most valuable luxury items in Cuba, not to mention a necessity for some, and the skills and resources necessary to maintain a car not only provides the best job, but having such skills considered a well-kept secret, passed down from father to son through the generations. The Cubans consider the family car, and its clean-running engine, like a

Wedding Car

Frenchman or Californian thinks of his vineyard. Up until The Revolution in 1960, Cuba was the largest importer of American Cars, mostly the huge, gas-guzzling, multi-ton pile of metal that so many of us look back on today as a romantic relic of the past. After the embargo, Cuba has had cars from other countries�most notably, Russia�but few of them have ever been able to last but a few years. The American cars, however, have lasted through the years, and still run perfectly today. For most Cubans, this is their main source of revenue, since they can operate a taxicab, taking tourists around, and taking in up to $50/day in an economy where the average Cuban makes $15-25 a month. Of course, the cost of owning a car is high, especially with gasoline costing $8/gallon. But, with prices this high, it's not surprising to see a beautify gas station with a mini-mart and fresh, clean paint on the walls, popping out conspicuously from a scene of intense poverty along rural roads.

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mid-40s Fleetline, Chevrolet

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The Camel

The "Camel", as it is called, because of the two "humps" that are on the front and back, is an enormous people-moving vehicle that can carry more Cubans than the entire Cuban Population of the state of Florida. Built out of 18-wheeler semi's, normally used to haul earth-moving equipment or actors from the World Wrestling Federation, these trucks pack people so tightly, explains one old woman, that "people have done everything biologically possible that a human can do."

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Now, here is where Cuban ingenuity and sense of humor combine to not only solve problems, but do it with a smile. The Coconut Taxi, or the "coco-taxi", is a cute little two-seater, which is mostly used to do quick trips around the city, or to be used as a wedding limo to take you to... well, back home. And, despite the obvious visual conclusions you may draw, not one has been seen on a golf course. (Well, Cubans understandably don't have a lot of Republicans, so golf has had limited exposure on this tiny island.)

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Waiting for a Fare

The Happy Couple

Coco (4)

Coco (1)

Coco (2)

Coco (3)

Coco Cab Caravan

Dad's new Car

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Residential Neighborhood

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Newly Weds

Speedy Gonzalas

52 Chevrolet

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Nike Volkswagon

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Black Pontiac

Black Chevy (2)

1956 Black Chevy

Blue (7)

Blue Engines

Blue Streak

Bmw	Buick Dreamin

Car And Building

Dan Jill Car

Gangster Car (1)

Red Truck (2)

Green (1)

Green (2)

Green (3)

Green (4)

Grey Park

Stumpy

Havana Cruising

Hearse

Nite Taxi Driver

Orange Car

Red Blue Yellow

Red Car Jill

Red Grille (1)

Red Grille (2)

Red And White

Red Speedy (1)

Red Speedy (2)

Red Truck (1)

Renault 4cv

Wedding Limo

White Car And Arch

Car Maintenance

Yellow Chevy (2)

Yellow Chevy (3)

Yellow Chevy (5)

Yellow Chevy (1