1959 Cadillac convertible in Cuba 2010

Just another one of the many cars seen in Cuba, Varadero district. Some of the old cars seen are in pretty pristine condition, some are rather rag-tag, but they all seem to do their intended job. A common sight is to see an old car by the side of the road with the hood open and somebody - or several - people under the hood or the car itself. This movie features a 1959 Cadillac convertible. Really the icon and in some folks minds the bench mark in one way or another of automobile styling of the period. According to the translation and understanding from the driver of this vehicle, it was really out of sight for many years, most likely owned by somebody in the government and not used too much. It still has the original 390-cubic inch Cadillac V-8 and nice shifting 4-speed Hydramatic. Many engines in these old American cars have been swapped out for diesel engine replacements, but this and many others live on with original power plants, amazing after at least 51 years. This car still has two original, or at least original type B.F. Goodrich tires on the rear, albeit a little worn. The interior is replaced, but the floors are original, or darn good replacements, I looked under the car after. A true time warp indeed.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Old cars
• antique autos
• restored old cars
• American cars in foreign lands
• Old cars in the tropics
• Chrome
• whitewalls
• Cuban Classics
• Old cars in Cuba
• hard top
• sedan
• convertible
• Cadillac convertible
• 1959 Cadillac
• 1959 Cadillac convertible
• riding in an old convertible
• tail fins
• spikedpunk

[JunkyardJunkeez]

Excellent vid! And I like the great info write ups you include on your videos, the extra details really help tell the story

[spikedpunk]

@JunkyardJunkeez Thank you. I try to bring as much as possible to the 'table', and with the descriptions, I hope it gives folks a better feeling and understanding to what the movies like this in particular are all about. Chances to ride in cars as such with a storied history does not happen just every day. Cars like this were just left at the docks, engines running, doors flung open as people left the country by boat in January of 1959. If this jewel could speak of its journey....

[mopman16]

greatest. car. ever. 

[spikedpunk]

@mopman16 This car totally symbolizes what the period was all about. When the revolution happened on July 1st 1959, people who were felt not to be welcome literally fled to the ports in cars like this, and left them running, doors open, as they ran to the boats. One can only imagine these cars, stately, awaiting for who knows what. Did you know at the time there were more Cadillacs per capita in Cuba then in the USA?

[nofgood4live]

@spikedpunk yeah men,.i have seen ones or twise in my live a 59 caddy but never get in to one,or drove it :o

this kinda exspiriense u only get ones in u live.

cruising in a cool caddy,in cuba.

[spikedpunk]

@nofgood4live There is a song out there, goes much to the words of "I think I'll buy me a Rolls, or maybe a Chevrolet, put the top down, drive on down the highway, right through Heeeeaaaaven's gate..." Perhaps one of these '59 Caddies should have been considered too.

[nofgood4live]

@spikedpunk brother i beleave that!!

[spikedpunk]

@nofgood4live It was like being in our own little world, nothing else mattered for the duration of the ride!

[spikedpunk]

@monarch1957 As long as they were only used in decent mild weather that would not compromise the bodies on them, they are too nice to go to waste.

[nofgood4live]

ure in car heaven right now my brother :)