Cuba to begin selling Used Cars

[Pomeroy41144]

An article in the NY Times today indicates that used cars (including 1950s US cars trapped on the island) will be bought and sold in Cuba, the first such sales in over 50 years.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/06/world/americas/relenting-on-car-sales-cuba-turns-notorious-clunkers-into-gold.html?pagewanted=all

Eventually, these cars will make it to our market. Many are 55 year old daily drivers that are beat to hell but I am sure there will be some welcome and surprising barn finds. It costs a lot to run an auto in Cuba, and spare parts hard to come by, so I'd bet that there are some gems that are on blocks right now in Cuba waiting to be discovered and see the light of day.

The future looks interesting.

PP

[Guest Dave Boyer]

A lot of those Cuban cars have been reto-fitted to death. Us Canadians have been vacationing there for years, it's always interesting to see what pops up as a cab.

[keiser31]

Let's see....an island surrounded by salt water/air....metal....nope. I'll stick to buying U.S. cars from the U.S., thanks.

[Guest 60electra225]

While they may now be allowed to buy/sell between themselves, I doubt that any will be allowed to leave the country - and that is a good thing, as this is part of the charm of Cuba and it would not be half as interesting for tourists if they were allowed to leave. You can only go to so many cigar shops !

[Dynaflash8]

Charm? Let'em stay there.

[Bleach]

If anyone is interested in seeing some ads for Cuban cars, including 59 and older US models you can find them here: Autos - Carros - Revolico - Anuncios Clasificados en Cuba

The exchange rate for USD to CUC is roughly 1:1 so most cars are selling for about $10K and up.:eek:

[Pomeroy41144]

Many are 55 year old daily drivers that are beat to hell but I am sure there will be some welcome and surprising barn finds. It costs a lot to run an auto in Cuba, and spare parts hard to come by, so I'd bet that there are some gems that are on blocks right now in Cuba waiting to be discovered and see the light of day.

PP

Ughh!!! Read the post-- I said "some" not all. Out of the thousands of retro fitted beat to hell daily drivers, there are bound to be "some" cars that are on blocks hidden away somewhere. Some.

PP

[Bleach]

I browsed some of their classifieds and there are some nice examples that are not on blocks.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

How about a Studebaker "panel" for 23000 CUC?

[bhclark]

There is some FANTASTIC metal workers down there that have been working on these cars to keep them running.

If you've never watched "Yank Tanks", it's a true marvel.

[1939_Buick]

How about a Studebaker "panel" for 23000 CUC?

Putting into google translate Google Translate that Stude may have

1 Motor Diesel Fiat 2 Caja de Toyota 3 Freno de disco en las cuatro ruedas 4 Difer

=

Fiat Diesel Engine 1 2 3 Toyota Box disc brakes 4-wheel Difer

Another 52 Dodge

----Dodge 52 Coronet--- - Autos - Carros - Revolico - Anuncios Clasificados en Cuba

Motor original Caja 4ta Volga Diferencial de alta (Toyota) Carburador de lada Frenos de pastilla.

=

The 4th Volga Motor Box original differential high (Toyota) Brakes Carburetor lada pill.

Another Buick 51

Vendo Buick 51 4 puertas motor y caja toyota automática - Autos - Carros - Revolico - Anuncios Clasificados en Cuba

Motor Toyota 3L diesel, caja Toyota automatica con aire acondisionado, dirección asistida hidraulica

=

Toyota 3L diesel engine, automatic air box acondisionado Toyota, hydraulic steering

Another for Ford guys

Ford 52 Custom Line mecánica completa nueva Volga-Misubishi 12 km/l - Autos - Carros - Revolico - Anuncios Clasificados en Cuba

8500 cuc - Ford 52 Custom Line mecánica completa nueva Volga-Misubishi 12km/L 3 fotos Motor de Volga 24 recien repado y caja de Volga 24, ambos en excele

Motor de Volga 24 recien repado y caja de Volga 24, ambos en excelent

=

Engine 24 newly repado Volga and Volga box 24, both in excellent

From what I have read replacement engines are common especially with a diesel (oil)

Edited November 12, 2011 by 1939_buick
more adds (see edit history)

[Bleach]

There is some FANTASTIC metal workers down there that have been working on these cars to keep them running.

If you've never watched "Yank Tanks", it's a true marvel.

While some may have actual metal work done to them a majority are repaired with very creative non metal fillers. I have a number of Cuban friends who have visited Cuba recently and have seen these vehicles in person or have relatives that own them. They use whatever they can obtain to accomplish repairs on damage, rust or rot and it isn't always metal or resin fillers we're accustomed to. The artisans who work on these vehicles are used to adapting what ever they can to keep these relics on the road.

[Guest Bob Call]

Read some of the ads linked above or find an illegal to read it for you. Most of these cars have Volga, Toyota, Mitsubishi, etc. drive trains as the Detroit power died decades ago and replacement parts aren't available. So, the easy way is to use what they can import, small 4 cyinder gas and diesel engines from anywhere but the US because of our trade boycott. Also, look at the asking prices. Outrageous for most of them.

Edited November 12, 2011 by Bob Call (see edit history)

[Guest PackardV8]

I don't quite understand. Does this mean that historically Cubans were NOT allowed to sell a car (even within Cuba). Meaning that once a Cuban bought a car he was stuck with it for life????