Cuba ends ban on new cars

[David Conwill]

I don't see where anybody has mentioned just how rough most of these vehicles really are. They're neat curiousities, but they've been kept together with spit, bailing wire, sheer force of will, and modified parts from Soviet autos. The tenacity and ingenuity of their owners is a monument to the human spirit, but as collectible examples of '50s cars, I suspect they're otherwise pretty low on the desireability scale.

Which is not to say I wouldn't love to own one.

-Dave

Edit: I missed this! Sorry.

Most of these cars are not in very good shape and wouldn't bring much on the US collector market.

 

[Tango Yankee]

That plan doesn't actually work for most vintage models these days. In the early 90s yes, but no more.

Why not? Are you saying it won't work due to the current economy?

True, many probably won't be worth much as-is and restoring a car is never cheap if done right. Restored, some would be worth a small fortune. There is, of course, the option of buying cars, shipping them off the island and parting them out, up to and including the body panels. If the cost of shipping is too high that may not be cost effective, either, but if someone is familiar with the market I'll bet they could come up with a way to do it at a profit.

What I found interesting in that video is how many of the old cars were sporting modern wheels. From what I've read in the past it's not unusual for engines to be replaced, often with diesel engines, and I thought I heard diesel engines when some of the cars went by--but that could have been out-of-frame trucks and busses as well.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[Tomasso]

Are you saying it won't work due to the current economy?

No, high-end restoration (in all but a few cases) hasn't made economic sense for a long time. It's like restoring an historic home; you will never get your money back. You do it for love.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

A lot of people are having trouble finding a good driver classic these days. Everything's been restored, it seems. It's hard to find a good survivor in running condition. That's where cars like this are gonna bring some money. I'd like to have one, and it's got a neat story behind it, which will up the ante for some collectors.

Now THAT is a true statement!!!

No, high-end restoration (in all but a few cases) hasn't made economic sense for a long time. It's like restoring an historic home; you will never get your money back. You do it for love.

 

[scottyrocks]

At any rate, buyers ought to get in early before the demand goes through the roof. When owners realize this, prices will go up.

 

[Travis Lee Johnston]

No, high-end restoration (in all but a few cases) hasn't made economic sense for a long time. It's like restoring an historic home; you will never get your money back. You do it for love.

Bingo! My dad did it in the 70's, my brother does it now. You're lucky to break even.

Tom come to Arizona man, There's always old cars for sale in good shape at buy it now prices. Esp. right now.

 

[Aristaeus]

Most of these cars are not in very good shape and wouldn't bring much on the US collector market.

Any vintage car (pre 1970) is worth money. Everything from rusted hulks to rolling chassis. If it has an original part it is valuable. If it has good fenders, doors, chrome, Headlamps, taillights it is sought after and there is always someone who can afford it. They haven't made orig fenders and doors for these cars since the year they were built, Cuba is one big parts house.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I've seldom profited on fixing up a car. If I restored one, I never would. Just have to get them to driver status and you can make a few bucks. Even then, it ain't easy.

I have seen some of the Arizona cars for sale and what's sitting in salvage yards down there. Wow.

Bingo! My dad did it in the 70's, my brother does it now. You're lucky to break even.

Tom come to Arizona man, There's always old cars for sale in good shape at buy it now prices. Esp. right now.

 

[Travis Lee Johnston]

We're talking stuff that can be drivin home, out of the auto trader for like 4,000-8,000$

 

[Grant Fan]

As the daughter of a Cuban immigrant I am so excited for the Cuban's that they get to have new cars. But I must say that I am always amazed at their ability to make those massive old cars float and try to get over here to the USA.

 

[Grant Fan]

Cuba allows entry to citizens of all countries.

that may be the case but American's aren't supposed to go there. If you have a security clearance of any kind and have been to Cuba or go to Cuba and it is found out your clearance will be taken away.

 

[Tomasso]

American's aren't supposed to go there. .

Actually, US law states that Americans are free to travel to Cuba but they can't spend any money while there, so a special vesa is reqired to spend but in practice Cuba doesn't stamp the passport of an illegal American visitor; they stamp a separate piece of paper so that our government is none the wiser. I've traveled there several times without incident but then I haven't any government clearance in jeopardy. Where in Cuba are your people from?

 

[C-dot]

Actually, US law states that Americans are free to travel to Cuba ...

But because of the restrictions and trade embargo, you can't spend money (as you mentioned) and it's virtually impossible to leave the resort. The only US citizens who have looser restrictions are those with family members living there. Also, if you do travel there illegally and the US government finds out, they can lower the boom on you bigtime! :eeek:

 

[Tomasso]

if you do travel there illegally and the US government finds out, they can lower the boom on you bigtime! :eeek:

But it is not illegal for a US citizen to travel to Cuba. That harsh boom that is on the books has never once been lowered because the government knows full well that it will be immediately challenged and overturned as unconstitutional. The whole tourist embargo is, and always has been, a paper tiger.

 

[C-dot]

But it is not illegal for a US citizen to travel to Cuba. That harsh boom that is on the books has never once been lowered because the government knows full well that it will be immediately challenged and overturned as unconstitutional. The whole tourist embargo is, and always has been, a paper tiger.

Well, I mean traveling there without a visa, and that the possibility does exist. I'm not sure if it would be deemed unconstitutional, but you're probably right about it being challenged. I imagine that will happen at some point.

 

[MPicciotto]

As the daughter of a Cuban immigrant I am so excited for the Cuban's that they get to have new cars. But I must say that I am always amazed at their ability to make those massive old cars float and try to get over here to the USA.

Well how about that. A friend of mine grew up in Cuba. I don't know the whole story. But the end result is she's in Maryland right now and her parents have a condo in Miami. She's an officer with The Salvation Army and her parents are retired officers. Everybody has taken to calling her father "Papi" after her son in-law called him that publicly. Major Prieto is a great man who knows about as much English as I do Spanish. After the "How are you" "I'm well" bit it sort of goes down hill

Matt

Matt

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

'51 Buick with Moskvich engine and Ural transmission -- works for me!

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I am always amazed at their ability to make those massive old cars float and try to get over here to the USA.

Well, they call them big ol' cars boats for a reason, I guess

 

[Phineas Lamour]

I watched a documentary about the cars there. Almost everyone there knows how to keep those old American cars running. Families bond by passing down the knowledge over generations. Kids learn from their fathers and grandfathers how to work on the cars that will be theirs one day. Some of that family bonding will be lost and that is sad.

 

[TidiousTed]

Sometimes it is nice to be a European, I've been to Cuba and could spend all the money I wanted and go anywhere I liked. A fascinating country