Classic Car Market About To Crash

[Nyboy]

A client in to classic cars just warned me, might want to rethink truck, market about to bottom out. Cuba is loaded with classic cars in prefect shape. Once trade with Cuba opens up collectors we be importing cars like crazy driving down prices. She just got back from Cuba paid a $380 bill in $5 was told only bring small bills no credit cards on trip. I am restoring truck for me not profit, but would have been nice if I could have at least got my money back if I needed to sell.

 

[so lucky]

Gee, I don't think Cuba will be the same without all those colorful classic cars on the road. Good for the US collector wannabes though.
As one of my DH's favorite quotes "Tis an ill wind that blows no man good fortune."

 

[Nyboy]

She was showing me photos the cars look like they just rolled out of showroom. All the classic are own by the government, who rents them out for taxis. The few people lucky enough to own a car have a cheap little Russian car, kind of like the yugo.

 

[Smart Red]

Might I remind you. . . I suggested you wait and get your parts from Cuba.

I am willing to 'guess' that these mint collectors are rebuilt with Cuban made replica parts. The only way these vehicles could have been running daily from 1960 is if there were places (factories) in Cuba that made replacement parts. And many of the cars were in daily use.

I wouldn't worry overmuch about your truck. If I got good use out of it that would be good enough for me. Chances are good you could still get what you have in it. It just won't be inflating with age anymore.

 

[Nyboy]

 

[Smart Red]

I've seen photos through the years of American cars running about in Havana. Lots of trucks hauling produce and other products through the city as well. Can't all be owned by the government. Perhaps just the best of them.

 

[dickiebird]

I don't know where your client got her info but don't look for many cars to leave Cuba very soon.
Most every car that would be exported would have to be replaced with something else, that will be hard to do.
All those cars that look real good, do just that, look good. If you want to keep one running you have to have someone make the part you need, there are no factories producing parts for '50's and '60's models vehicles in Cuba, just back alley mechanics.

THANX RICH

 

[Smart Red]

My point is that replacement parts were being made. Had to be a lot of back alley mechanics and metalworkers to keep all those vehicles going and all Black market goods.

But you are right, dickiebird. No FORD (plant 2) factories running in Cuba.

 

[baymule]

We watched a documentary show about Cuba and the cars. Many of them are individually owned. The really nice cars get to taxi foreigners about from the nice hotels. The not so nice cars taxi regular people around. They have to make many of their parts. I was thinking what a great thing it would be to have an Auto Zone franchise in Cuba.

 

[Smart Red]

Not so much, bay. Very few auto parts stores deal in parts more than ten years old. Even the junkyard type businesses tend to send for recycling any vehicle older than that.

We're talking a big market in 60+ year old vehicles.