Do Cuban drive old cars?

Many wondered if this would signal the end of Cuba’s classic car industry. While Cubans’ love of vintage cars is ingrained in their culture and makes up a vital part of their tourism industry, there is another reason why you will still see plenty of old cars in Cuba – the cost.

Can you import old cars from Cuba?

On October 17th, the US Department of the Treasury released their newest regulations on Cuban assets. It lifted the restrictions on the number of cigars and rum you can bring back from Cuba, and allowed for the repatriation of American made exports.

Why does Cuba use old cars?

American cars were imported into Cuba for about 50 years, beginning near the early 20th century. After the Cuban Revolution, the U.S. embargo was erected and Castro banned the importation of American cars and mechanical parts. That’s why Cuba is the way it is today—essentially a living museum for classic cars.

Does Cuba have any modern cars?

Today, Cubans are once again allowed to buy and sell cars among themselves, and some automakers such as Audi, Mercedes, and BMW offer new cars for sale in Havana and other Cuban cities. Unfortunately, most Cubans can’t afford them, so they continue to drive classic cars whether they are in good shape or not.

Why are cars in Cuba so old?

Why are old American cars still on the road in Cuba?

Quite simply, Cuban ingenuity has kept these old American cars on the road. Mechanics find ways to use imperfect parts and keep the things running. In some cases, Cubans have even had to create materials from scratch to keep their car alive.

Why do taxis in Cuba carry so many people?

The taxis are shared and often carry more people than the car was intended to hold. This results in increased stress on the car and causes the vehicle to require more frequent maintenance. Traveling in these taxis offers travelers another interesting look into the classic car culture in Cuba.

What to do with classic Cuban cars on the island?

Nidialys Acosta of Nostalgicar, which rents classic Cuban cars to tourists on the island, says: “With these cars, you always need to do something. For example, we finished restoring the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air three years ago.

How many classic cars are there in Cuba?

Currently, it’s estimated that there are around 173,000 vintage or classic cars in Cuba, though it’s unknown how many are still considered road-worthy.