Cuban Model "A"

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Lona

Great pics....brings back memories. Having lived in Puerto Rico for many years and seeing what salt air can do to cars, I'm amazed that these old ones are not totally rusted out.

Isn't pic No. DSC-0792 a 2CV Citroen and not a Puegot?

Glen

I've always wondered just how much living next to the ocean affects the cars as far as rust. Is the air just humid, or does it actually carry some salt with it? And how far inland would one have to live to be rid of rust problems caused by the ocean air? My cousin lives on the east edge of lake Michigan (about 1 mile from the shore), and metal rusts much more than where I live.

[FL&WVMIKE]

It looks like these Cubans have done a good job of keeping these cars in good condition. Pretty good for every day drivers, for over fifty years !
MIKE (mikeburch)

[burner31]

QWhy are most of the cars "taxi's"?

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I've always wondered just how much living next to the ocean affects the cars as far as rust. Is the air just humid, or does it actually carry some salt with it? And how far inland would one have to live to be rid of rust problems caused by the ocean air? My cousin lives on the east edge of lake Michigan (about 1 mile from the shore), and metal rusts much more than where I live.

Yes living near the ocean effects all metals. My wife wanted brass fixtures in HER bathroom when we remodeled. What a nightmare. Finally gave up and let it turn GREEN (Verdigris) like the Statue of Liberty...

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by burner31

QWhy are most of the cars "taxi's"?

Because the economy is so bad almost no one can afford a car.

[juke joint johnny]

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Originally Posted by burner31

QWhy are most of the cars "taxi's"?

It's a way to make a living !!! Not an easy thing to do there.

A lot of those Taxi's have a diesel Tractor engine in them, they could be 3 cylinders or something as they really vibrate and jump around!! when they pull away from a traffic lite a great plume of black smoke comes out of the exhaust !! Quite a sight to see !!

John Cochran

[Lona]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I've always wondered just how much living next to the ocean affects the cars as far as rust. Is the air just humid, or does it actually carry some salt with it? And how far inland would one have to live to be rid of rust problems caused by the ocean air? My cousin lives on the east edge of lake Michigan (about 1 mile from the shore), and metal rusts much more than where I live.

Tom,
I don't think the high humidity actually causes the rust unless the temperature of the metal gets below the dew point and condensation occurs. The weather doesn't get cold enough in the tropics to do that. It's more that when it rains, things don't dry out including the metal on the cars, especially the lower body panels and the undercarriage. The trade winds in the Caribbean will carry salt air some distance inland. Depends on the topography where you live. I imagine east of lake Michigan gets much more moisture/rain than the west because of the prevailing winds. They certainly seem to get more snow!

More serious than plain metal rust is the problem of electrolysis between dissimilar metals when exposed to salt laden moist air. HVAC designers specify copper tube/copper fin coils or automatic coil washdown systems for equipment near the ocean or the alum fins will disintegrate in two years or so. Same thing happens to car radiators although not as quickly. I assume these photos were taken in Havana which is on the ocean. Because of the scarcity of cars, they likely take better care of them and wash them frequently to avoid the rust. Keeping their cars running all these years is testament to the well known industrious and clever nature of the Cuban people.
Glen

[Tom Wesenberg]

Glen, I know what you mean about salt and cooling fins. Most of the Horizon and Omni cars that came into the yard only had about half the radiator fins still in place, due to corrosion from road salt. Road salt is probably our states biggest pollution problem.

[ian Simpson]

Originally Posted by Lona

Great pics....brings back memories. Having lived in Puerto Rico for many years and seeing what salt air can do to cars, I'm amazed that these old ones are not totally rusted out.

Isn't pic No. DSC-0792 a 2CV Citroen and not a Puegot?

Glen

When I lived on the coast it was seagull poop and not the sea air that caused more corrosion on my vehicles.

I should have canned it as a paint stripper.

Ian

[jerry of whidbey]

looks like a great colection

[stewwolfe]

Apparently the economy is doing pretty well down there for taxi drivers. Did anybody else notice the high dollar rims and tires on most of the cars?

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by stewwolfe

Apparently the economy is doing pretty well down there for taxi drivers. Did anybody else notice the high dollar rims and tires on most of the cars?

Are tips part of the "underground" economy (EVERY economy has an underground) or are they mandated like wages?

Or are they verboten as a vestige of pay for performance?

No return on equity, of course.

Joe K