Last week, while strolling along the malecón (promenade) here in La Paz, Baja, I noticed some classic cars lining up and stopped to take a closer look. It appeared to be a car show of some sort. People were arriving and checking out the cars, admiring them and taking photographs.
I can’t tell you what type of cars they were, but I can show you in the photos below.
Cuba or Mexico?
Seeing these cars with the Sea of Cortez in the background, I was reminded of Cuba, with its old cars that are regular cars used by the people–not classic cars for a show. They’re known as “Yank tanks” or “máquinas”. I especially felt this about the red car and the blue one below (less so for the final photo).
By the way, the cars you see in photos of Cuba exist because of the U.S. embargo against Cuba, which started in 1962. Replacement parts for cars could not be ordered, according to Wikipedia, and “currently, the only way to keep these cars on the road today is by using Cuban ingenuity to adapt household products and Soviet technology into these vehicles.”
Anyway, for a brief minute, I thought I was in Cuba. Then I remembered where I was.
Right here in La Paz. Baja California, Mexico.
Truth be told, being in La Paz is a tiny bit like stepping back in time. Not so far back, but back a little bit. I wish I could explain this, but right now, I can’t.
These look less like the ones found in Cuba.; still they’re pretty cool.
Your Thoughts/Reactions?
Have you ever been in one place that reminded you of another one for any reason? Was it the architecture? The way of life? Or something else? If so, where was it and what was it?
Have you been to Cuba? Was it fun to see the old, colorful cars on the streets?
Also, do you know anything about classic cars? If so, can you identify the cars in this post and let me/my readers know what make/model they are? Thanks.
Nice! Yes, very much like Havana except that the cars seem much better maintained. The above are “collector’s items”, in Cuba they are still the rule rather than the exception. Some nice old cars from Havana in this post: http://bbqboy.net/havana-cuba/
Frank (bbqboy)
Frank recently posted..Guide to visiting Tadoussac, Quebec
Hi, Frank. I was thinking the same–that these looked a tiny bit better. Makes sense. Fun to see them in any event!
Magnificent! All you need is a pair of roller skates and a window tray *grin*
Ha ha–funny!
I’m not much of a car person (I usually can’t identify makes or models on sight), but there’s something about the old classic cars that I really love. That must have been fun to see them. Great photos!
Gray recently posted..New Experiences in Montreal
There is something fun about seeing those cars–definitely. I can’t ID them, either, usually (except for maybe super famous one or two).
Glad you like the photos–thanks!
OMG! Love it!! We get that in Santa Fe sometimes and on a Friday night- lowriders on the Plaza. We have a great low-rider profile on the blog and he’s become a friend.
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Hi–glad you like the pics! It must be fun to see the low-riders there in Santa Fe and to be friends with someone who has one. Cool!