Classic Car Enthusiast Utopia - Cuba: The Eternal Dream Cruise

Monday, November 7, 2011 by Marc Bland

Click here for more classic car photosClassic car nuts brace yourself. What if I told you there is a place where classic cars of all levels from "A Work In Progress" to "Bloomberg Gold" status roamed the streets every day. What if I told you these classic beauties were driven by everyday people and not just cash-rich executives or successful entrepreneurs.

A friend of mine, who is a Cuban native and very successful auto dealer in the U.S., recently visited his native Cuba. As I viewed some of his photos from Cuba, I asked, "Are these Cuban photos, some version of Concours d' Elegance or an expanded Detroit area Woodward Dream Cruise?" Click here to view a few of these photos.

Once you are on Cuban soil, you will quickly notice that most of the cars on the road date back to the 1950's. Some of the popular vehicles include the Ford Zephyr, Austin A30, Ford Edsel, Studebaker Packard Wagon, many small Russian Ladas and the beautiful Chevrolet Bel Air.

As you will quickly notice in the photos, the cars look brand new with shiny exteriors and great wheels. As the owner of a classic car and fan of the nationally famous Detroit area "Woodward Dream Cruise," I would love to visit Cuba and see these 1950's beauties rolling down the Cuban streets every day.

As the cold weather creeps in and classic cars are tucked away for the winter in cold states like Michigan, I thought this story would help my fellow car enthusiasts get a jump on our annual classic car withdrawal known as "Winter." Although not my typical "multicultural marketing" message, I hope you enjoyed reading this blog as much as I enjoyed learning about these Cuban classics. I would love to hear your comments or other classic car stories.

Posted by Marc Bland, Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Polk (11.07.2011)

Comments for Classic Car Enthusiast Utopia - Cuba: The Eternal Dream Cruise

Monday, November 7, 2011 by Jeffrey Hanna:
Thats so cool. In Saudi Arabia there are thousands of car enthusiasts as well. Some have extensive collections of cars produced here in Detroit. Saudi nationals have the ability to afford such cars because it is an oil rich country. I think its really neat that cars strike such a cord within all of us in the US only to find out it stretches accross nations. What I found especially interesting is that alot of the lower class in Saudi owned Mercedes Benz's which are considered by many of the wealthy to be only useful as taxi's or Commercial "work" vehicles.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 by Marc Bland:
Jeff,
Thanks for reading and then posting your comments on the blog regarding trends in Saudi Arabia. I always find the global perspective so interesting. Specifically, what is "King" or most coveted in one Country is considered the vehicle of choice as a taxi or commercial vehicle in another. This supports my Global position when viewing activity across borders - It's Not Bad Just Different".
Thanks and keep the comments coming as I learn something new each time. MB
Thursday, June 7, 2012 by emma:
My friends came back from Cuba and really, ever photo they took could be published in a magazine... it's just amazing. The cars and buildings are stuck in a time-warp! I don't know what kind of
Friday, June 15, 2012 by gladysbark1:
I completely agree with this above comment, the internet is with a doubt growing into your most essential medium of communication across the globe and also its due to sites just like this that ideas are spreading so quickly.
Saturday, June 30, 2012 by Jay:
Thank you for posting the great content…I was looking for something like this…I found it quiet interesting, hopefully you will keep posting such blogs….Keep sharing



Daniel Schmitt & Co.

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