While Cuba might not have a lot of things in common with its US neighbor, but in the six decades since the two nations cut economic ties, vintage American cars have – ironically – become one of the country’s most recognizable symbols. The story of classic cars in Cuba is full of political and historical significance. So, let us explore the history of Cuba’s vintage car industry and why the old cars in Cuba are so vital to the Cuban culture.Ĭubans’ love of vintage cars is ingrained in their culture and makes up a vital part of their tourism industry. Instead, they have the beat-up look of a book that has been read over and over again, showing that not only are these vehicles loved, but they are actually used in day-to-day life.Ĭuba is one of the few countries in the world where most private automobiles are older than their owners. Because these vehicles aren’t shiny and new-looking.

These vintage classics range from Oldsmobiles to Chevys and Plymouths to Fords - but better. It’s like one big car show, where autos from the 1940s and 1950s motor along the streets and highways. If you’re a classic car buff, Cuba is just about the greatest place on the planet. There is a vitality of life within Cuban culture that is evident even to those who have never been to the country. The classic car is as much of a Cuban icon as cigars, but how and why does Cuba have so many old cars?Ĭuba has a certain air surrounding that is an odd mixture of excitement, color, and mystery. It never really occurred to me, but after I thought about it, every cultural image of Cuba I can recall includes old cars as a vivid focal point of Cuba’s dusty stuck-in-a-time warp image.

Shockingly, I never made that connection until recently, when a fellow co-worker informed me that I should write a segment about this classic car metropolis. If you are like me, and obsessed with all things cars, you might already know that Cuba is a literal rolling vintage car museum.

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