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PBS did a few stories about Cuba and the cars over the last few decades, also Aljazeera
has done a few stories about how the few entrepreneurial licenses issued there are for individuals who can re-manufacture parts for the old cars. Brakes are relined, carbs are rebuilt, you name it. They showed a few old cars mixed in with newer cars just the other day on a BBC story from Cuba over the current events there... The old cars look to be in very fine condition, and don't smoke or anything.... To me it looked like they had good equipment, and made parts at least up to, or better than what you get from China.... I think they are doing ok with what they have..... I guess we will see..... .
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Yes you can call me "Squirrel boy" Last edited by Username1; 12-18-2014 at 05:06 PM. |
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If the parts were merely made to chinese standards, those cars would be long gone.
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#3
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The cars, if imported, would have to meet certain US safety standards regardless of when they were made. On an island where you are no more than 50 miles from the ocean, I can imagine the rust is everywhere in those cars, so a bit of removal would be needed at the minimum. I remember transiting through GITMO on my way out to the ship in 2000, and even the steel door frames at the air terminal were eaten up by rust. Humidity+salt air+temperature, and you've got all the makings.
Cheers,
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Brian USN RET (Avionics / Cal) CET- Consumer Repair and Avionics ('88) "Capacitor Cosmetologist since '79" When fuses go to work, they quit! |
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Quote:
a '69 chevelle, and another with a '66 Chevy, both people washed and waxed those cars all the time. They also drove them all winter..... A lot of, for lack of the best term, Latin American, people do a lot of cleaning on their cars, fuss over every inch of the car's appearance. They did another story on the news last night, and again the old cars were in the story, they were all shiny and clean.... Keep it waxed, and even if the paint is chipped, or imperfect, and you can keep the rust away.... Those guys had kept those old cars up to the late 90's when they retired and moved away..... There are a lot of really cool secrets to the current way of life in Cuba, and to the keeping up of those cars we are not going to know looking in from the outside as we do now.... California has lots of good condition old cars, and they run around all the time, and California is pretty close to the ocean, and the cars have almost no rust.... Not like in snow areas where they salt the roads.... As for Chinese parts... A lot of people may not remember the news stories of years ago, as american parts manufacturers closed up, the machinery to make all that stuff was sold off at really good prices to companies wiling to start up and make the same stuff in China, and India, and a few others..... Auto-Zone may just be the Walmart version of auto parts stores..... I have trouble trusting them after seeing the number of electrical parts me and brother have had with their stuff..... I went back to OEM pretty quick, brother liked the fact that stuff was guaranteed forever, even though he had to replace it each year.... .
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Yes you can call me "Squirrel boy" Last edited by Username1; 12-19-2014 at 10:22 AM. |
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I am sure the choice stuff will be coming home if
they lift the embargo. My understanding is they do anything to keep them going so will need lots of work. I am sure between the mafia & Batistas minions lots of rare high end cars were left behind. Wish I could afford one !! As for cigars go you can get just as good a cigar from other places, that industry has gone to hell just like everything else in Cuba. As far as Chincom parts go I always ask my mechanic what to use OEM or aftermarket. Some of the China stuff is good BUT you gotta ask & buy the higher priced stuff. 73 Zeno |
Audiokarma |
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I think, some of our collectors are thinking that they're going to be getting a steal-deal on some of these cars. The present owners are going to have to replace these cars. How many used car lots are in Cuba? |
#7
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I'm a little familiar with machining, working as an electrician/electronic tech in a factory, where machining operations were done. Both CNC and manual. The part looked like it was built really well. |
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