Vintage American cars are part of the fabric of Havana. Some vehicles in the Cuban capital are nearly a century old, and keeping them running is a labour of love for their owners. This week, car aficionados are gathering to showcase their restorations at Cuba’s Elegance Competition.

Havana

Havana recently hosted a classic car competition, drawing attention to the city's iconic vintage vehicles and the owners who have kept them running for generations. Participants were recognized for elegance and restoration quality, with judges focusing on authenticity and craftsmanship. 

Due to longstanding trade restrictions, Cuban mechanics have developed creative solutions to maintain these cars, often fabricating replacement parts themselves. Many of the vehicles have remained in families for years and are still used daily, serving as symbols of Cuban resilience and as attractions for tourists seeking a unique experience.

Cuba: Vintage cars reborn in Havana

The streets of Havana going back in time as the Cuban capital hosted a classic car competition. There were prizes for the most elegant, the best restoration. Recognition for the dedicated owners who've kept these vintage vehicles running for decades or brought them back to life. This is my car, a Ford A from 1930. I bought it about three years ago and it was practically destroyed. I think this event is wonderful because it fosters relationships between the participants. Maybe you're looking for a spare part and maybe another person has one in his garage and is not using it and they give it to you. Judges looked for authenticity and the quality of the restorations, something Cuban car aficionados are remarkably skilled in. Because of the more than six-decade-long US embargo on the country, cars that might otherwise have been scrapped were kept on the road out of necessity. But spare parts are notoriously hard to come by. Mechanics have to be creative, some even making replacement parts from scratch. Many of these cars have belonged to the same family for years. They've always been here. They're proof of the Cuban resilience and resistance. Cuba cannot be thought of without classic cars. These cars are not museum pieces. Owners still use them for daily journeys. And many can be hired by tourists to get a classic tour of the city and do a little time travelling themselves.

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