These cars are works of art. Someone recently told me that classic cars aren't too common in Cuba anymore, well, I hope the same fool is reading this now because he couldn't be more wrong!

They are everywhere.

Most of them have been converted to diesel engines for economic reasons and while the shell of the vehicle is original, the motors have been rebuilt with Nissan parts, Mercedes Benz and others. They have to be maintained weekly so they keep running and renting a taxi classic is cheap cheap cheap.

For real - check out this engine. To be fair, this engine is extra sexy because this car is used for racing and showing off.

We heard this car before even laying eyes upon it. The car enthusiasts gathered around began yelling "por ahi viene Cruella!" [here comes Cruella!] They recognized the zoom from a distance. Cruella is the fastest hot rod on the island.

Pink convertibles were quite popular. This was was cruising down El Malecon with the Hotel Nacional as it's backdrop.

I love this - a 1950's Ford Victoria, painted in a matte black with Mustang rims and Porsche brakes. Need I say more...

We arrived at the Hotel Nacional in grand style in a 1950 yellow convertible. We cruised around El Malecon and Central Havana for an hour in this beauty.

This is a 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air. It's owner, Osmel, replaced the original engine with a Mercedes Benz and you could feel the difference. We rode two hours up the coast to Varadero in this sweet car.

This is my father's Jeep and there's a great story here. It doesn't look it but this Jeep is from the 1950's! My dad modified and rebuilt it based on photos of a Jeep from the 1980's he found in a brochure. Yeah, I've got a cool dad.

And finally...

Gil and I thinking we're hot... 

fashionado