Will Cuba's Reforms Mean An End To Its Unique Automotive Landscape?
Under current Cuban law, only cars built before the 1959 revolution can be legally bought and sold. This has kept Cuba’s pre-revolution American cars running, creating the island nation’s unique automotive landscape. But now, reports NPR, proposed liberalizations of Cuba’s property laws might threaten Cuba’s fleet of classic American cars. Though reforms could bring much-needed investment to Cuba, they would also mean an end to the laws that have kept Cuba’s streets looking like a time capsule from the late 1950s. But luckily Cubans have come to feel deeply attached to their classic American cars, vowing to keep them running as symbols of Cuba’s history.
As for Cuba’s classic cars, mechanic Jorge Prats says he thinks they’ll be around for at least another 50 years.
“These cars are a part of our national identity now, like rice and beans, or roast pork,” Prats says as he shows off his two-toned, bright red-and-white 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air coupe. “We take care of these old American cars as if they were another member of the family.”
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We have a female tourist/photographer shooting cars for us in Fidel-land right now. She arrives back this weekend and I will ask her. She probably gets more smiles than average because she fills two suitcases with Walmart clothing to hand out to the locals every visit.
Whatever Cuba does, it should NOT let the Yanks back in -- that'll ruin everything and Cuba will become another Haiti. Why would you do that? For the cars? American cars were horrible things in the 1950s, they are still horrible in the 2010s (and drive even worse) besides it's too late anyway -- there's only oil for some 10-15 years left.
Will do David. I never thought about the parts angle, especially since she will have empty suitcases for the trip home.