Chariots of Chrome: Classic American Cars of Cuba

by Simon Bell, Simon Bell

A photographic cruise of Cuba's vintage cars. Cuba is a vintage car lover's paradise. Until the 1960s, Cuba was the world's leading importer of American automobiles. As many as ten thousand of these mid-century American cars are still used in Cuba, making it the world's largest living automotive museum. Vintage Cadillacs, Chevrolets, Fords, Pontiacs, Ramblers, Packards, Studebakers and Hudsons are common on Cuban streets and coastal highways, with hot primary colors, dazzlingly ornate chrome, sinfully luxurious interiors, and defiantly large girths. Some cars have been restored to their former glory. Others have been kept in working condition by using Russian truck engines and hand-forged parts. Chariots of Chrome is an eye-popping pictorial tribute to those generously proportioned American automobiles, once loved and now lost, that still enjoy a vibrant old age in Cuba. Dazzling color photographs capture these beauties against the backdrop of the island's picturesque villages and Old Havana's many landmarks. This pictorial tribute of historic cars is sure to light any auto aficionado's cigar.

144 pages, Hardcover

First published August 7, 2004

Reviews

[José · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected. I thought it would provide stories about the cars of Cuba; such as how they are maintained. Instead, it is a glorified photo album with little to no insight on how these vehicles are still on the road.