'59 Plymouth Forum

Sometimes it seems no different at the Koch Garage.
Dick.

Dick, having stood in your garage and seen the plethora of spare parts you have in inventory, You would be treated as a Parts God to what they have to endure.

I need to go thru your garage with a shopping cart one day while you are on vacation...A Mopar Super Market Sweep!

John Q.

I don't have time to sort and categorize these - but, here's a set of pix I took of cars in Cuba that weren't at Saturday's car show. I took many videos too - I'll post these when I get time. Enjoy!

WOW! Dan - Great pictures of Great Cars. It's a testament to the durability and greatness of the American Automobile. Many of those cars are nicer than I've seen at shows here in south Florida. Love that 50 Plymouth, I learned to drive in my uncles brand new 50 Plymouth.
Thanks,
Dick.

Dan,

Nice photos of Cuban American Iron.

Some of these cars look to be in really good condition. But I do wonder how many have been molested with parts from other cars just to keep them on the road. I wonder if you have seen any of these other Forward Look cars while you were there? These were supposed to be also located in Cuba. But the license plates look different from the cars that you posted. These photos came from another Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Desoto site. Larry

Nice iron, Larry! No, what you see is what I saw (except for some video which I haven't posted yet - it needs some editing to eliminate the gratuitous sex and violence ). But, I was only in Havana - the cars are all over the island. For example, I took snips from YouTube of '59 Plymouths in Cuba, but I saw nary a one.

Yes, some of the cars have been heavily modified. What do you do when your car is 55 years old, and you don't have NAPA?! You can see from the trails of smoke in some of the pix that many have been converted to diesel. Most of the cars serve as cabs working round the clock, seven days a week. Gasoline is expensive, and cuts into your meager wages if you don't convert. However, all of the cars at the show were gasoline engines.

Dan

WDJ40 wrote:Dan,

Nice photos of Cuban American Iron.

Some of these cars look to be in really good condition. But I do wonder how many have been molested with parts from other cars just to keep them on the road. I wonder if you have seen any of these other Forward Look cars while you were there? These were supposed to be also located in Cuba. But the license plates look different from the cars that you posted. These photos came from another Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Desoto site. Larry
1958 Plymouth_Fury_Cuba.jpg Desoto in cuba-1.jpg Dodges in cuba-1.jpg Plymouths in cuba-1.jpg 1959_Cuban imperial.jpg

Cuba began changing their licence plates to the European style 'long plate' about two years ago. The black on yellow ones are still in use, but will eventually be replaced.

Faulkner wrote:Nice iron, Larry! No, what you see is what I saw (except for some video which I haven't posted yet - it needs some editing to eliminate the gratuitous sex and violence ). But, I was only in Havana - the cars are all over the island. For example, I took snips from YouTube of '59 Plymouths in Cuba, but I saw nary a one.

Yes, some of the cars have been heavily modified. What do you do when your car is 55 years old, and you don't have NAPA?! You can see from the trails of smoke in some of the pix that many have been converted to diesel. Most of the cars serve as cabs working round the clock, seven days a week. Gasoline is expensive, and cuts into your meager wages if you don't convert. However, all of the cars at the show were gasoline engines.

Dan

When i was there in 2014, all the cars i saw had been converted to Nissan, Hyundai and in some cases Soviet era diesel engines, and all of the ones i saw were using other homemade parts to keep them going.
I stayed in Varadero, but did take a day trip to Havana, and found the same thing, and yes, most of them serve as cabs.
Like i said before, go there for the beaches and the atmosphere and the friendliness of the people, but dont go there just for the cars!

Bob

Nighthawk wrote: Like i said before, go there for the beaches and the atmosphere and the friendliness of the people, but dont go there just for the cars!

I guess one man's meat is another man's poison. I went there for the cars, and I had the time of my life! Never saw a beach, once - there are a million resorts you can go to for that.

Of course, what you say is true, Bob - the atmosphere was wonderful, and the people were indeed exceptionally friendly. But this hobby has never been just about the cars - it's about meeting people all over the world with differences in culture, but sharing the same interest in American Iron. The camaraderie and friendship is a natural result. Go there for the cars, and enjoy all the rest!

Dan

It's coming up on a year since I've been - Mary Kay and I are talking about going back. Of course, this time there will be beaches That's OK - she rocks a bikini

I received this note from Lupe Fuentes Macías, the Public Relations Director for "A lo Cubano" car club, and Alberto Gutiérrez, the club president. I follow with a somewhat lame Google translation:

Alberto Gutiérrez wrote:Hoy en día que los "autos americanos antiguos" están de moda nos lleva al recuento cuando el 4 de octubre del año 2003 un entusiasta grupo de 23 personas amantes del automovilismo fundaron en los jardines del mítico cabaret Tropicana la entonces Escudería de Autos Antiguos "A lo cubano", de ellos 17 propietarios de automóviles quedaron inscriptos y los restantes que no lo tenían o no podían considerarse en la categoría de clásicos o antiguos y que si estuvieron presentes. Hasta la fecha han pasado por el Club 439, estando activos al cierre de septiembre un total de 120 pilotos.

Un nuevo aniversario será celebrado por esta gran familia del automovilismo cubano en esos mismos jardines de Tropicana, y allí, el próximo domingo 9 de octubre desde las 10.00 se reunirán fundadores, nuevos miembros y amigos para continuar demostrando que, no ahora que están de moda, si no desde hace muchos años, existen estos hombres y mujeres apasionados por mantener el patrimonio automovolístico de nuestro país.

Los invitamos a que nos acompañen en esta primera gran celebración, que culminará el 6 de noviembre con el XII Rally de Regularidad Copa Castrol

Alberto Gutiérrez
Presidente Club de Autos Antiguos A lo Cubano

Lupe Fuentes Macías
Relaciones Públicas
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Today the "old American cars" fad brings us to count when the October 4 2003 an enthusiastic group of 23 people motorsports enthusiasts founded in the gardens of the legendary cabaret Tropicana the then Scuderia Antique Car "A the Cuban ", of which 17 were registered car owners and the other who did not or could not be considered in the category of classical or old and if they were present. So far they have gone through the 439 Club, being active at the end of September a total of 120 pilots.

A new anniversary will be celebrated by this great family of the Cuban motoring in those gardens Tropicana, where, next Sunday October 9 from 10.00 founders, new members and friends will gather to continue to demonstrate that, they not now that are fashionable if not for many years, these men and women are passionate about keeping the automovolístico heritage of our country.

We invite you to join us in this first big celebration, which will culminate on Nov. 6 with the XII Regularity Rally Castrol Cup.

Alberto Gutiérrez
Antique Car Club President A lo Cubano

Lupe Fuentes Macías
Public Relations

Dan Morton wrote:Thank you, Lupe! I remember with fondness my meeting with the club this time last year. While I cannot be there in person, I will be there in spirit. Please send my greetings to all, from 59Plymouth.net.

Best
Dan