Re: Old American Cars in Cuba.

Steve B. <none@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in news:1cbk14pe3efeg5ch4belkkfidf8vsocs04@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> On Thu, 01 May 2008 19:52:52 GMT, "Pete C." <aux3.DOH.4@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> wrote:
> 
> 
>>Yes, some nice antiques there. I expect if we ever normalize relations
>>with Cuba, most of those cars will be snatched up by collectors in the
>>US and the Cubans will end up with a wad of cash and a new small car.
> 
> There might be some nice stuff there somewhere but everything I have
> ever seen in the media wouldn't even qualify as  a parts car.  They
> have no money and no parts so they've done whatever could be done to
> keep them running.



That's it in a nutshell. It's not like they have AutoZones on every
corner.

The stuff I've read indicates a lot of these Cuban cars are basically 
American body shells consisting of mostly original metal in various states

of accuracy, but not much else that came from Detroit.

Most engines have been replaced with Russian diesels and the like. Many 
other mechanical components are of similar provenance.

Another interesting point I recently read that helps explain why there are

so many of these still around: If a car was on the road before
La Revolucion, it may be freely bought and sold. If a car was built after 
Castro came to power (post 1959), it is subject to stringent owner****p 
controls. This biases the market towards trade in the old cars.



-- 
Tegger