The Old Vintage Cars of Havana

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The first thing everyone notices immediately when they land in Havana are the vintage, pre-revolutionary American cars. 1950s Chevys, Fords and Oldsmobiles are everywhere. In fact, there is an estimated 60,000 vintage cars in Cuba. But seeing them everywhere in Havana felt like stepping into a scene of “Midnight in Paris”. It was surreal. It was like stepping back in time.

In its heyday before the Cuban revolution, Cuba was a huge importer of American cars. All this came to an end when the US embargo struck Cuba allowing nothing from American soil to be imported into the island, including spare parts to fix and maintain the cars.

Desperate to find parts to maintain their beloved vehicles, Cubans began refurbishing parts from the former Soviet Union and also used their creativity to care for their beloved cars, often sacred in the family. Some Cubans have made their own replacement parts or have even used common household items to keep their vintage cars running. 

After the US embargo, Soviet Ladas, Korean, Japanese and Chinese-made cars became the new norm and can be found today throughout Cuba. Yet it is the vintage American cars that steals people’s hearts and brings Cuba her magical charm and allure like no place else on earth.

I must admit I was a little bit obsessed with the vintage cars. I loved them! A couple of times during my breaks I stood still on a busy street and snapped away, taking pictures of one old car after another, in hopes of capturing these idyllic creatures on film. Each and every car was unique and each car no matter what condition it was in, was well loved and driven with pride.

Here is my grand collection of pre-revolutionary cars that I saw on the move or along the side of the road while in Havana.

Parked cars

A reality in Cuba is that many taxi drivers are moonlighting professionals. Doctors, Engineers and other PhD’s who are fortunate enough to have an old car in the family and get a taxi license are either spending their off time working as a cabbie or even leaving their profession. Why? Because they can earn $25 in a day instead of $25 in a month as they would make as a doctor, lawyer or anything else in Cuba. That is communism.

Cars on the move

Cars around the Malecón

Cool Cars

Broken Down Cars

Retro Cars

What I found so ironic about the vintage cars is that some of the cars are in the same state of decay and deterioration as Cuba herself.  Just like Havana with its deteriorating buildings, broken down sidewalks juxtaposed to her lovely restored mansions, old, rusty broken down cars are can be seen throughout Cuba slugging down the streets or pulled over on the side being repaired while completely refurbished beautifies pass them by. The irony of it all is so Cuba.

 

 

36 thoughts on “The Old Vintage Cars of Havana”

  1. Sue Slaght – Calgary, Alberta Canada – www.traveltalesoflife.com Many years from now, when I am an old lady sitting in the nursing home, I hope to be the twinkly eyed resident still entertaining anyone who I can corner to listen, about all of the wild adventures attempted in a lifetime. Well into the second half of the game of life there is no time like the present to get out there, live big and laugh a lot. Living in Calgary, Alberta, married to my best friend Dave for over thirty years and Mom to adult children; my decades as a nurse have shown that in a moment life can change completely. Passionate about social justice, volunteerism and not letting the phrase “What would people think?” or my own fear get in the way of trying something new; the possibilities are endless. Enjoy the tales and I hope you will be inspired to try something you have been thinking about doing.
    sueslaght on said:

    I thought your comparison of the cars to Cuba herself most interesting. Wonderful collection of these vintage automobiles.

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    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Sue! There is just so much contradiction in Cuba and so much irony. Maybe that is why I loved it there so much! Always kept my mind spinning and thinking.

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    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes I just got back from a trip about two months ago. I loved it.

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks for the reblog! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks for the reblog!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I am American! You can go but have to go on an organized “people to people” tour. It was amazing though. Hope it someday opens up for us to freely travel there though. 🙂

      Reply ↓
  7. SueBee and Kat – Southern California is like a goldmine to us! It's the entire world represented within one time zone, in an area reached within a half day drive most any direction. Surrounded by world-class museums, music and cultural activities, restaurants of every ethnicity, geography that encompasses beach, mountains and desert, anyone would be hard-pressed to sit home doing nothing. Therefore, we're nearly always on the go, taking pictures along the way, sharing our adventures with you! We hope you follow our blog and join us in our adventures!
    SueBee and Kat on said:

    What a fabulous collection of photos! Kat and I also love vintage cars. But I must say seeing the cars actually in use looks like having gone in a time machine, so much more interesting than at a car show!! That must have been quite surreal visiting Cuba. Your article was really interesting. Thank you!! ~SueBee

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks SueBee!!!

      Reply ↓

  8. Great collections of these handsome vintage cars! A big difference between $25 a day and $25 a month for them. Enjoy reading the post, Nicole.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Amy! Yes it is quite amazing isn’t it.

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  9. Cuba might have a gold mine on their hands with all those vintage cars. If they auctioned them off it would bring a lot of foreign capital.
    Leslie

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  10. jest love this blog , very kewl, being th old car buff and automotive restoration guy myself 🙂

    Reply ↓

  11. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge / B4 Retouch: On the Move (Snail) | Chris Breebaart Photography / What's (in) the picture?

  12. Jo Bryant – New Zealand – I was born in the land of Banjo Paterson, gum trees, and weather extremes. I am a freelance photographer. I love to make images that make people happy. To capture forever a precious moment. I am also a freelance writer/editor. I live in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, but still like to claim my Australian heritage. I graduated with a Bachelor of Communications in 2008. I am writing my first novel. I love to write poetry, short stories, and also write for the web. And there is nothing that is on a par with a sunny summer's day spent at Waihi Beach.
    Jo Bryant on said:

    I think i just spent time in Heaven.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Ha Ha! Love that Jo!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Actually I do have more car pics but had to cut it off somewhere! 🙂

      Reply ↓

  14. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: On the Move (escalators) | Chris Breebaart Photography / What's (in) the picture?

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Janet! So glad you enjoyed the post!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! How is your garden coming? Our spring is so late here that we hardly have leaves yet!

      Reply ↓
  17. anotherday2paradise – Durban South Africa and Florida USA – I enjoy writing about absolutely anything, and started blogging with WordPress in 2012. This was my 'Hammock Lady' blog, and I really enjoyed sharing my travels here: http://adinparadise.wordpress.com/ In November 2013, I decided it was time for a change of scenery, so I started my blog afresh, and here it is. I love to travel, and have been fortunate enough to do two round-the-world trips and visit more than forty countries so far. This year we visited our 7th continent, Antarctica. I enjoy photographing wildlife, especially in my backyard in Florida. I was born and brought up in England. My husband and I emigrated to South Africa in 1970. We now live in Florida, USA. I have a son and a daughter and five gorgeous grandchildren currently aged between 6 and 21 years. I'm so happy that you've taken the time to visit my blog, and would love for you to join me on my travels. Sylvia.
    anotherday2paradise on said:

    Fabulous photos of these wonderful old cars, Nicol. Love the wedding couple’s wheels, but I think my favourite is the red Cadillac. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Sylvia! I love the wedding car too. There were actually tons of them going by on a Saturday afternoon down the Prado, the main drag. I just was worn out with photo taking at that point! Yes true…even me!

      Reply ↓
  18. LuAnn – Two young-at-heart retirees with a passion for exploring and the desire to "pay it forward".
    LuAnn on said:

    I have always heard that visiting Cuba is like stepping back into the 1950’s and you certainly have captured that Nicole. Great photos! Hope you are having a lovely Mothers’ Day. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks LuAnn! Yes, every thing about Cuba feels like stepping back in time there but the cars were the biggest reminder of it and the first thing that I noticed once I stepped off the plane.

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      SO glad you enjoyed! Thanks!

      Reply ↓

  20. Gosh, these are incredible images, my friend. My sister has taken a lot of car photos when she’s been in Cuba, but it never ceases to amaze me.

    Hugs from Ecuador,
    Kathy

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Ha Ha…I know I went a bit crazy with the car photos Kathy but I just couldn’t help myself. I loved the old cars!!!

      Reply ↓

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