Cuba’s Classic Cars

In 1898 the first automobile arrived in Cuba from France. Within a decade, most cars in Cuba came from factories in the United States.

During the first half of the 20th century, Cuba proved to be a profitable market for US-based automobile manufacturers. High demand combined with low taxes allowed Cuba to rank second in the hemisphere in per capita car ownership.

In 1956 approximately 143,000 US-made cars, known as Yank tanks, were traveling Cuban roads, 95,000 in Havana alone. In some cases, new models were tried out in Cuba before appearing on showroom floors in the US.

Revolution Restrictions

This influx came to a halt with the Cuban Revolution in 1959. The country’s new leader, Fidel Castro, seized US-owned businesses such as factories and banks. He also levied heavy taxes on US imports. In response, the US imposed a trade embargo. As a result, Cubans couldn’t buy new cars or supplies to repair their old ones.

Cuban car owners had to be resourceful to keep their vehicles running. They learned how to fix their cars themselves. They adapted parts imported from trade partners like the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and other communist nations. Because new cars were impossible to purchase, most automobiles were passed down from one generation to the next as family heirlooms.

History on the Road

Driving the streets of Cuba today is like traveling back in time. Vibrantly colored cars from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s create a rolling museum. Of the approximately 70,000 classic cars in Cuba, experts estimate that about half of these cars are from the 1950s, one-fourth from the 1940s, and one-fourth from the 1930s.

In 2014 the sale and purchase of cars became legal under strict government controls. Often priced at four times the factory rate, a new car was so expensive that only the wealthiest Cubans could afford one. The average monthly wage in Cuba then was less than US$100.

Earning Money

Classic cars are a source of income for their owners as both rentals and taxis. Tourists hire drivers to take them on scenic routes around the capital city of Havana. Riding along the Malecón oceanfront in a well-kept, vintage convertible is an experience to savor, especially at sunset.

Classic cars are also used by taxi companies. Local Cubans rather than tourists are most likely to ride in these taxis. They are often retrofitted to hold more passengers than originally planned. As a result of all the wear and tear, these cars are typically not in mint condition.

No matter if vintage cars are driving locals or tourists, they remain a charming staple of Cuban culture. What would happen to them if the US lifted its trade embargo? With spare parts readily available, these vehicles might roll on into another century.

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