CUBA: AMERICAN CLASSIC CARS from the 1950s in HAVANA

Classic American Cars, City of Havana, Cuba - the classic American cars around Havana (Habana Vieja) in Cuba. Let's travel to Havana in Cuba and let's admire the classic American cars from the 1950s seen all over Havana. Under dictator Fulgencio Batista in the 1950s, Cuba was a holiday destination for America and the mob and lots of American cars were imported from the US, which is only 90 miles away. These cars are now known as the Havana classic American cars.
For over 60 years, American economic sanctions made new vehicles virtually unobtainable, which meant that classic American cars such as the old Dodges, Chryslers, Fords and Chevrolets from the pre-Castro days are constantly mended and modified to keep them going.
Here's a video of these fabulous classic American cars, most of them battered beyond belief but still plying their trades as cabs on Havana's streets.
#Havana #Cuba #VicStefanu

[@unterseebootunterseeboot9827]

Amaizing video! Havana could become Old Style American Cars Capital! Most of them in a good shape, great. Cubans loves their cars! Thank you Vic, for this great video!

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for your wonderful comments, it was a great pleasure being in Havana and videotaping these magnificent cars..

[@unterseebootunterseeboot9827]

Is amaizing how they could keep their cars in function after fifty years! Every car is a piece of history of american cars builders, I bet most of them are rare even in US. I wish to thank you again Vic, because of you I could see the world with your eyes! Great job!

[@VicStefanu]

These cars are very expensive in the USA (they are antiques)..

[@almodequindre8601]

@@VicStefanu Great video. That yellow Chevrolet is a 1958 actually and not a 1954. My parents had one when I was a kid.

[@VicStefanu]

@@almodequindre8601 Ok, thank you! 👍👍👍

[@josephseraile6698]

I'm 73 yrs old and I remember those cars rolling down the streets of America. Those were the good old days. Thanks for the video.

[@VicStefanu]

Hi Joseph, thank you for your comments!

[@Maksimilijus]

Sir, how was life then in the USA, in comparison to now?

[@chuckwin100]

Its very cool all of the old american cars still working. The Cubans really love their old cars. It takes a lot of mechanical knowledge to keep them running and on the road.

[@VicStefanu]

Hi, you are absolutely right, I am glad you enjoyed this video!

[@chrisludlow9979]

In order to keep these cars running, a lot are fitted with Soviet engines.

[@franciscocontreras3934]

Excalibur. yeah are still running and i see them abandoned in desert and send to scrapped yards or only living them to rusted in barns or in the forest

[@jonathancunningham8739]

Not even not much soviet engines anymore most have Toyota engines today.@@chrisludlow9979

[@typeviic1]

I like those old Ford and Dodge cars!

[@VicStefanu]

You would enjoy a walk around Havana, there are so many classic American cars to see!

[@niyiraluvsmb]

I wish cars still looked like this!!

[@VicStefanu]

lol... I know what you mean, cars were very stylish a few years ago..

[@mikeyfraile2402]

BACK TO THE FUTURE IN CUBA havana is so amazing all those classic 50's car restored like a shining gem the cars blend well with beautiful classic building of havana all those car are fantastic feels like traveling back in time the cultural treasure of the people of cuba

[@VicStefanu]

The most amazing aspect of Havana is these classic cars! Thank you for watching!

[@bobl1090]

Actually it’s BACK TO THE PAST!

[@greglebert8517]

Cowboy bow wow sending you a hole lot of love from that majestical Place Niagara Falls canada great 🎨 musician in Niagara falls canada 🥂 cheers

[@VicStefanu]

Hello and thank you for the greetings. I remember, years ago on a freezing November weekend, resting on the top flor of Fallsview Casino Resort and having great views of the falls in the distance.. what a memory!

[@greglebert8517]

@@VicStefanu 🥂 cheers ya fantastic views of falls you rock cowboy from that majestical Place Niagara Falls Southern Ontario Canada

[@VicStefanu]

@@greglebert8517 Thank you for watching my videos my friend!

[@LL-sq8se]

Old cars are some of my favorite things.. I grew up around them..My Daddy was a.. mechanic and restorer..He would have loved this video as l do!! thanks for the video..Vic

[@VicStefanu]

I enjoyed making this video, it took me 5 days to shoot all these cars from around Havana but I had so much fun doing it..

[@AYY116]

Most of them (98%) have diesel motors. Very rare to find a V-8 gas. Very few are "Mint". All have hand made parts as chrome trim, red tail light lens or any part that is needed. A whole fender is hand made from 55 gal drums. Even bondo is home made & most have some. NO O.M.E.. No Auto-Zone part stores. Painters made their own basic colors. Top coat (shine) is very high $$$$. Brake fluid is made from shampoo. What u don't see is the parts used from other cars other than the original make. Chev used on Ford/ Ford used on Chevy & so on. Even Russian engines, trans & rear ends get modified into the cars as needed. I owned a lot of this type of cars. I am a old (70) shade tree mechanic. I LOVE IT ALL.

[@VicStefanu]

WOW, thank you for these comments and for the information!! 👍👍👍

[@pedromartinez2837]

True. Al cuban and confirm.

[@kevin4209]

6:50! My God what a beautiful work of art!

[@VicStefanu]

Thanks for watching! 👍👍👍

[@EgoEimai]

Another place which I want to go one day... So good to see this video, beautiful icons, amazing cars, amazing place Vic! Thank you so much for this video!

[@VicStefanu]

Efharisto file!!

[@EgoEimai]

Εμείς!

[@antjetautkus5506]

Silver metallic. ...w o w ....wow..wow..love lollipop coloured oldies 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀thnks Vic .....💛💚💙❤

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you!!!!

[@vm722]

Excellent video. Beautiful cars. Like a car show

[@VicStefanu]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@akosay]

Rare vintage cars. Wow

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for viewing my videos!

[@flypast9725]

And then sometimes you see a horrible modern car.......... great video.

[@VicStefanu]

lol... Thank you!!

[@airaero5473]

Imagine an alternate universe where old and new cars live side by side and appear equally on roads

[@VicStefanu]

You do not have to imagine that because it is already happening in Havana!

[@0SKSavage]

Nice channel. You post very interesting material in a lot of different places. Thats the way to live life!🖒

[@VicStefanu]

Hello, thank you for your comments and for watching my videos!!

[@HagersvilleHunk]

Thanks for the video. Have to go there myself .

[@VicStefanu]

Hello, thank you for viewing my videos!!

[@TheKarankansal]

These cars looks like bubble gum! 😍

[@VicStefanu]

👍👍👍

[@Ray-yi5tc]

I have the same Plymouth 55 but in blue, thanks to be in my country,

[@VicStefanu]

Hello, thank you for your comments!!

[@cherrycolagames3187]

This is how you can time travel to the 50s

[@VicStefanu]

Very true! Thank you for watching!

[@cherrycolagames3187]

@@VicStefanu You’re welcome !

[@VicStefanu]

@@cherrycolagames3187 👍👍👍

[@1956Caddy]

The Buick at 7:34 isn't a 56. The yellow Chevy at 14:38 is a 58 and so on. There's always a little embossed script on the rear taillights lens to check. Anyway. Who cares ? They're such a flamboyant sight ! Please, manufacturers, Make Automobiles Great Again !

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for your comments and for viewing my videos!! The year and model were given to my by the owners of the cars...

[@jurandyrcarvalho2998]

Think You very Much for Thais beautiful vídeo. I liked very Much anti que American car of the fifties. I know the years and models since I was a child. Thank You

[@VicStefanu]

Hello my friend, thank you for your comments!!

[@raidernation6209]

Awesome video Vic!

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you!!

[@canibalus1410]

Thx for video m8

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you!

[@MrEddy175]

hello vic how are you, vic great video from those classic cars in havana they keep them so good i didnt think about seing such nice cars there, i love old cars specially american classic cars i grew up here in colombia with only america cars so i do love to see the the old cars all time,here in my city we hace a classic car show in december every year,now a day cars here some are made here a the rest come from europe asia and usa its not like in the good old days.thank you for the video vic, you have a nice day

[@VicStefanu]

Hi Eddy, I am very glad you liked this video, it took me 4 days to complete and I enjoyed videotaping these cars..

[@SuperFireHog]

Ya got a few cars wrong with the years but all in all a great video !

[@VicStefanu]

lol.. For each one of the cars I asked the owners (I could not have guessed)...

[@chevy-yd2kt]

Great video Vic it is amazing to see all those beautiful cars in havana , i own myself a old chevrolet el camino from 66 and i no how difficult it is to keep a car in good shape , well thanx for sharring Vic nice video👍

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for your comments my friend, my fist car was a '69 Mustang 289.. I will never forget it..

[@chevy-yd2kt]

Vic Stefanu i like the 69 mustang👍 the models of the 50' 60' and 70' are my favorite do you still have a classic car now?

[@VicStefanu]

No, no classic cars for me right now... I have been obsessed with Volvos, I am on my 4th right now, I love them...

[@chevy-yd2kt]

Vic Stefanu - World Travels and Adventures oke well volvos are also great cars and strong to 👍 i like the amazone type model of volvo well succes with your cars Vic.

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for getting back to me!

[@rayarena879]

Nice video highlighting the beautiful 1950's cars of Cuba, but one correction, the reason that there were so many cars in Cuba had nothing to do with the mafia, but with the fact that Cuba had the largest middle class per capita in all of Latin America and the Cuban middle class could afford to buy American cars. That a Cuban doctor, lawyer, engineer, architecture or businessman could afford to buy a brand new American car had NOTHING whatever to do with the mafia but with Cuba's prosperity.

[@christianbrother4724]

I love it. I have a 58 Fairelane. My question. With all the shortages in Cuba, how are these cars restored in the way they are? They are beautiful.

[@VicStefanu]

They are restored using mainly Japanese parts (engines, etc)..

[@bingusclub69funni]

I had seen a Bel air with a Mercedes diesel v8

[@gottaloveit66]

Truly one of your best videos Vic! I was there in September '17 and loved it. Just for your information the noisier cars with the 'rattling' engines are the ones that have had their motors replaced with diesels (from Fiat,Izuzu or Nissan usually). The 1950s Taxi/Collectivos are only between $1 to $3 anywhere in Havana,although the convertible better looking vehicles are quite a bit more,around $20 US up. By the way,I used to live in Daytona in the 1990s and ride bikes too! Small world mate lol! All the best from your #1 West Aussie fan Al 😎

[@VicStefanu]

Wow, thank you for your great comments!! I am so glad you liked this video, it took me 5 days to complete it.. I will never forget Florida and Daytona...

[@richardcoe5776]

gottaloveit66 life

[@richardcoe5776]

Vic Stefanu - World Travels and Adventures m

[@FirstGendodgegarage]

I have a 1950 Chevrolet Styleline just like the silver one at the end of the video but mine is green and after seeing that one I am considering painting it silver LOL

[@VicStefanu]

Hello, thank you for your comments and for watching my videos!! 👍👍👍

[@FirstGendodgegarage]

@@VicStefanu 🇨🇦👍🇨🇦👍🇨🇦

[@joeguzman3558]

It's very rare they have the original engine

[@VicStefanu]

True.. Hello, thank you for your comments!!

[@antjetautkus5506]

Toll! Hey where are ur cute...funny thumbnails...?😉☺ We are enjoying it very much 😂😂😂😂great video ...thnx for all the old beauties ☺😉😂.......what a 📹car show👍✋ SOLONG ................TKE it easy 🛀👌

[@VicStefanu]

Hi Antje, at this point I cannot change the thumbnails if they have my picture on them... Thank you for your comments!

[@TheYasdonaught]

the jay walking is RAMPANT on these streets. Must be a nightmare to drive

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for viewing my videos!!

[@johnsteelman6980]

Hello, is it possible to go to Cuba and buy an old American car and have it sent back to America ? Is so how do you go about doing it ? Im looking for a 1961 Chevy Impala.....please reply....posted by John Steelman from North Carolina.

[@VicStefanu]

I do not think this is possible, you cannot import anything (legally) to the US from Cuba..

[@johnsteelman6980]

​Hello Vic....this not import.....this is export a car to the USA.....John Steelman @@VicStefanu

[@johnsteelman6980]

Hello Vic....have you seen any 1961 Chevy Impala in Cuba ?

[@VicStefanu]

@@johnsteelman6980 I know, as I said, you cannot import to the USA from Cuba (and as consequence, you cannot export from CUBA to the USA)

[@johnsteelman6980]

Hello Vic, how about if the car was shipped to another country like Mexico ? Is that possible ? Please reply....John Steelman

[@amauricosta7728]

Na década de 1980 a revista Seleções de Readers'Digest elogiava o capitalismo dos Estados Unidos a partir das boa conservação dos automóveis cubanos.

[@VicStefanu]

Muito interessante, obrigado!

[@antoniorsoftware]

The taxi drivers should wear clothes from 1950s as well.

[@VicStefanu]

Some of them do! Some wear cowboy hats too!

[@johnsteelman6980]

Hello Vic, do you need a Visa to go to Cuba , or just Passport ? from John Steelman

[@VicStefanu]

An e-visa is required (easy to get) for most passports/nationalities

[@johnnymac5228]

Unfortunately a lot of these cars have later model diesel motors because they can't get parts from the US. They make due with what they have.

[@VicStefanu]

I asked a few of the drives what kind of engines they were using and surprisingly, many said Toyotas

[@darrylmcleman6456]

That yellow chevie near the end is a 1958 not 54. Darryl in western Canada

[@VicStefanu]

Ok, thank you for the correction! 👍👍👍 (the year each car was made was given to me by the owner/driver)

[@kevinmacnally5096]

The yellow Chevy is a 58!

[@VicStefanu]

Ok, thank you!

[@angeleyes9263]

How he mistook it for a 54 shows that the host in not a car dude...

[@dustydee8342]

in Cuba most of the engine are swapped for diesel engine

[@VicStefanu]

Hello, thank you for viewing my videos!!

[@krackowkid6618]

The culture of a non-disposable society is very interesting. i'd say nothing as wasted in Cuba and the concept of value is well understood. American societyas as well as western Industrial society would learn and awful lot from these people.

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for viewing my videos and for your comments!

[@EnglishmaninMalta]

Nice one great cars enjoyed your video as always liked and always support each other, anyone looking for support a will always return,,

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for viewing my videos and for your comments!

[@ngongahbilly9434]

What would you call these cars? Junk? Classics?

[@VicStefanu]

I would say 'classics' because they are so beautifully maintained and preserved...

[@shayanbera3164]

Pls make a video of Petra jordan

[@VicStefanu]

Hi, I was there a few years ago and I only have photos, look on youtube under 'vic stefanu petra jordan'

[@shayanbera3164]

Ok

[@theosanchez7187]

The yellow one is a 58

[@VicStefanu]

Ok, thank you!!

[@dougyoak9078]

The yellow one wasn’t a 54 it was a 1958

[@VicStefanu]

Ok, thank you for the correction! 👍👍👍

[@jimflynn49]

Nice video. Quite a few errors on make and year though.

[@VicStefanu]

Yeah I know... For all of the cars shown, I asked the owners and I got, what it seems like, wrong answers... lol...

[@brettbrignac7591]

You know the makes of the cars, but what about the name of the models of these cars? You can't say, because like the memory of these cars: the sheet metal press Identification number HAS FADED! Every Novice of the US knows that your country still possesses the sheet metal presses for these cars. I find it odd that Cuba has not maintained the German Furher's favorite cars, such as the Volkswagen, or Mercedes...……….. I guess the US Luxury cars fancy castro, or they are easily made because the Germans DESTROYED the blueprints and left cuba with the 'silly beetle bug.'

[@user-ze7rj6gq8b]

vic stefanu are you greek or what.

[@VicStefanu]

Here's my biography: www.famousbirthdays.com/people/vic-stefanu.html

[@joeguzman3558]

It's a shame that they destryed the cars (they have no choice), most are running on Russian car motors

[@VicStefanu]

No, they are Japanese motors..

[@joeguzman3558]

Vic Stefanu - World Travels and Adventures I'm I mean to say not original to the cars

[@JoelRomeu75]

Esos ya no son coches clásicos americanos. Son carrocerías sobre injertos de todo tipo. Allí dicen: una vieja con colorete.

[@VicStefanu]

Sé exactamente lo que quieres decir… ¡Gracias por tus comentarios!

[@pedromartinez2837]

Son cacharrones, asere

[@paullisanti8673]

Vic, you have some of the years wrong.

[@VicStefanu]

Hi Paul, where exactly did I get the year wrong??

[@jurandyrcarvalho2998]

The Beautiful Chevrolet impala is 1958 not 1954.

[@jurandyrcarvalho2998]

And the Orange Chevrolet Behind the red one is 1949 not 1948.