Vintage Vehicles of the World: A Peek at Cuba
At Customs & Hot Rods of Andice, we have many hot rod magazines and collector photo books lying around for you to peruse. One of our favorites is the coffee table book Carros de Cuba by Pitor Degler. In this book, renowned automotive photographer Piotr Degler shares over 200 full-color photos of some of the most beautiful vintage cars you'll ever see -- and most of them are still in operation.
The Beauty & Forced Ingenuity of Cuba's Vintage Vehicles
As you might know, the streets of Havana are filled with classic cars from the 1950s. The reason? Back in 1955, Cuba was the leading importer of North American-manufactured cars, with over 125,000 Detroit-manufactured vehicles zipping around the island. But when Fidel Castro came to power in 1959, he halted American car imports. The US responded with a full embargo against Cuba. No new vehicles could be imported to Cuba, and neither could any replacement parts or after-market components. Despite being just 90 miles south of Key West, the country lost all its access to American goods.
While the embargo had many negative effects, Cuban car owners found creative, inspiring ways to work around it. Instead of letting their vehicles fall into disrepair, mechanics combined working parts from other vehicles to keep these beautiful vintage models running. This Frankenstein-ing of parts can cause a loss of value -- for example, you might find a 1950s Chevy with a Peugeot diesel engine and a hand-built carburetor under its hood -- but it's also an exceptional example of how malleable and long-lasting vintage vehicles can be.
Inspired? Let's Start Talking Your Vintage Restoration Project!
Seeing these stunning, well-maintained Cuban vehicles is like looking into a living car museum -- one that offers amazing examples for anyone looking into a hot rod modification or vintage car restoration project. These Cuban vehicles reveal that these cars are built on a strong foundation. Despite Cuba's climate being prime for rust, they have been maintained for decades with just a little elbow grease and ingenuity. So what's stopping you?
If you're feeling inspired by Cuban vintage cars, our team at Customs & Hot Rods of Andice is here to assist with body details and parts installation. Learn more about our team and our list of services by visiting us in person, contacting us online, or calling us. Our shop is open and accepting new projects, so let's get started on making your classic car a photo-worthy piece!