Porsches in Cuba

[bavaria911]

After hearing so many reports of old timer automobiles in Cuba 1940s through the early 60s, wonder how many 356 and early 911s are in old garages?

[Dpmulvan]

Perhaps we should send someone down there to check this out

[TonyGO]

Iam sure theres some 550 Spider's from the 1959 Havana grand Prix ,My Father hes 93 years young, tells me he used to work the pits back then for Manuel Fangio in the 1958 Grand prix ,showed him some photos 550 Porsches he remembers at least 5 or six cars of that type that year,next year Fidel kidnapped Fangio & he wasnt able to Race,so theres bound to be least one somewhere on the Island.

[rockabillyjay]

I searched online a while ago and all I could find was a 911..that a guy was making from scratch!

Edit: found the link!

http://caristas.blogspot.com/2011/07/only-porsche-911-in-cuba-part.html

[Daves911L]

Fairly well known in 356 circles. I don't recall the exact number, but something around 20 I think. All A and pre-A cars. The communists came to power before B's, C's or 911s existed.

[JohnJL]

Ask a Canadian. No worries on Cuba travel and a popular destination from here. Being an American with an American Bank I cant go yet, but lots of pelicans are Canadians and may have stories.

Or come yourself...daily flights between Toronto and Havana, and they dont stamp passports...

[Jerome74911S]

I didn't see any when down there, but if they exist they aren't on the roads much, I'd guess.

BTW, Castro came into power in 1959, so no '60's cars, sorry, and that means no 911s.

[ScottT80]

I've always wanted to visit Cuba... maybe one day.

[upwardr]

Have been and did see 356 coupe, had VW tail lights and VW interior bits. I think it was hand built from a beetle. Never seen any other Porsche but heard a storey that someone in power hid a early 356 in a cave to keep the Castro government from finding it. Fact or fiction who knows.

Yes they do stamp passports, this year.

[Derek911]

I didn't see any while there. Keep in mind, yes Cuba has a bunch of old car still functioning On the road, but their access to parts are limited. A lot of the cars are not in original condition. I'm sure if there were many Porsches they would be butchered with different engines. There was a great story on the radio today about classic cars in Cuba on NPR. All of the classic cars had modern diesel engines installed in them so that they are more reliable and better on gas.

[matt930s]

I saw a couple on Gitmo over the years ...but I guess that doesn't count....

Also a guy with a '60s vette..."


MattR

[darrin]

at least 3 -- Porsche in Cuba. the power of a passion | Videos2be.com

[Flyingfrenchman]

Hi have been often to Cuba and did cycle thousands of kilometers on many occasions and I never never seen a close resemblance to a Porsche. In Cuba old car are worth a lot not because of the value of the car but because of the right to have a car.

[Flyingfrenchman]

Wow I'm surprise after whatching the video.

[bavaria911]

Darrin,
Great video, but I counted 5 different 356s in the video: 2 red, 1 white, 1 silver, and 1 blue missing the motor.
Ever since last year when talks of Cuba becoming more open to US travel, I've benn thinking of another garage find -- Knowing that it may have various parts from other cars...this video firms up my thoughts.

Scott

[darrin]

math was never my strong suit to be candid, I was so surprised to find the video that I posted the link before I watched much of it and was only counting the three driving in the beginning.

[PCA7GGR]

Would a Karmann Ghia count with fake Fuchs and a PORSCHE emblem count? ;>)

[APPLTrader]

Hey guys,

I happen to be Cuban and if any of those cars exist in Cuba, they must be under some secret private or government garage, because the cubans have always been tied to the Russians and so having German cars in Cuba would be a bit against the grain.

Now due to tourism, you will see newer year cars but yes there are tons of 50's and 60's rolling around, some with mismatched parts.

I know for a fact there are a couple weird model Russian cars called Ladas though, back in the 70's if you had one of those in Cuba, you were doings things right.

[TRE Cup]

Not a Porsche, but it is real and rotting away somewhere in Cuba. Can't quite make out what is behind it under the covers

[bavaria911]

Is that a Gullwing? They sell for 7 figures in great condition.