Do Cuban Cars Run any Better?

[St. Lou Stu]

http://apnews.excite.com/article/201...D9EME4O80.html

[SinPena!]

Oh no, first yellow corn shortage now tobacco?

[PeteSB75]

Is it strange that I laughed when the article mentioned, near the end, that they grow high quality tobacco for cigarettes?

[captain53]

I don't know if they run better or not but when you see pictures and videos from Cuba there are always cars from the 50's and 60's everywhere so they must last a lot longer!

[taltos]

Originally Posted by captain53

I don't know if they run better or not but when you see pictures and videos from Cuba there are always cars from the 50's and 60's everywhere so they must last a lot longer!

They just can't afford to import new cars and must keep what they have running. If you check out the ruling class, they are running new cars.

[replicant_argent]

Originally Posted by captain53

I don't know if they run better or not but when you see pictures and videos from Cuba there are always cars from the 50's and 60's everywhere so they must last a lot longer!

And some of them will have parts from Russian tanks, Chinese forklifts, etc, keeping them running.

Originally Posted by taltos

They just can't afford to import new cars and must keep what they have running. If you check out the ruling class, they are running new cars.

There's a "ruling class" in Cuba? NOOOOO!!!!!!?????? I thought it was the perfect society! Even their fearless former leader congratulated us on our health care "progress." It works so well there. Hey Carlos, is it time to send another package of aspirin, tylenol, and antibiotics over yet?
Paul, if we sneak in and act the part, I bet we could be Generales. Huh? whaddya think? Pleeeease?

[shilala]

I know I read about tobacco being one of the top five crude biofuels already. Maybe that was just someone thinking out loud?
Anyways, it's a very big shot in the arm for PA. I grew tobacco last summer, have seeds started now, and it grows huge and incredibly well here. No beetles and the aphids really have no effect on the plants, even if they are tenacious.
We have a new biofuel plant about 20 minutes away from here, I have no idea what they're using to make fuel. I ought to find out.

My wife and I were walking down a quiet street in Havana on our honeymoon when we saw a very well kept '57 Ford.

We were admiring it when the owner started it up... It had a diesel tractor engine!!!

The owner (who spoke no English, Us no Spanish ) laughed his head off at our confused looks. He was quick to lift the hood and show us how it was installed, etc.

A friend of ours in Havana saved for about 3 years so he could buy his neighbor's 58 Pontiac... It's in pretty rough shape but his Canadian friends are always bringing him parts, tools, etc.