The fascinating reason why Cuba has so many classic American cars you'd think it was 1950s USA

Even if you’ve never been, you likely know Cuba as the place that is full of classic American cars.

In fact, it has so many American cars that you would be forgiven for thinking it was 1950s USA.

But you might be wondering why the Caribbean island looks like the land that the car industry forgot.

Well, this is the reason why – and it is intriguing.

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A (brief) history of Cuba-USA relations

To understand Cuba, you have to understand its relationship with its closest neighbour.

And that neighbour just so happens to be the USA.

The two nations share a fascinating history in the modern era.

Cuba used to be (albeit briefly) a US territory.

Following the end of the Cuban War of Independence against Spain in 1898, the island became a US territory.

But it formally gained official independence as a sovereign nation in 1902.

By the early 1950s, the island was ruled by US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista.

The reign of Batista led to close relations between Cuba and the USA.

Throughout this time, many people flocked to Cuba – and brought cars with them.

Legendary figures such as Ernest Hemingway brought vehicles in droves to the Caribbean Island.

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Castro takes power – and embargo follows

But then, an event occurred in 1959 that changed the nature of the relationship forever.

In January 1959, Fidel Castro would overthrow the Batista government in the Cuban Revolution.

And the relationship very quickly went south.

In protest against Cuba, the United States gradually introduced trade embargoes against the nation.

February 1962 saw President John F Kennedy proclaim a full trade blockade against Cuba.

And one of the most impacted areas was cars.

Before the ban, the US was the primary supplier of cars to the Caribbean island.

But that supply came to a complete halt (literally) overnight.

It is estimated that, today, around 60,000 pre-1960 American cars are still in use there.

But with no trade with the US, the people were forced into outside-the-box thinking to keep the vintage cars running.

Classic American cars remain a symbol of history

And some of the means of repair will genuinely leave you amazed.

Reports exist of using wires from broken electrical devices, retrofitting parts from washing machines, and even reports of rebuilt carburetors using coffee filters.

By the 1990s, the Cuban government declared tourism a formal priority.

The government then began prioritizing the restoration of these classic American vehicles.

Today, tourists can take guided tours around Havana in these 1950s time capsules.

But for the Cuban people, there is a deep appreciation for these classic American cars.

They serve as a constant reminder and throwback to a bygone era in history.

These cars also represent an innovative nation willing to get creative to keep its cars running.