Oscar Rodríguez displays his 1947 Nash in his courtyard like a trophy...
The Nash was one of America's earliest luxury sedans. It was expensive and built to impress – the kind of car a doctor or local businessman might have driven.
However, most of them are gone today. You'll find a few in car shows or museums, but almost never on the road.
Rodríguez doesn't baby his prized possession, though. He still drives his Nash regularly... through the streets of Havana.
Rodríguez and several of his peers call themselves "Cubanicos" – a mash-up of "Cubano" and "mechanic." It's a fitting term for folks who rebuild postwar American cars with whatever parts they can find.
Under the hood, this particular Nash is barely a Nash at all. The engine is from a Toyota. And the transmission comes from a Hyundai... That's bolted into place with custom brackets that Rodríguez made himself.
This is the state of many cars on the road in Cuba.
These American relics from the 1940s and 1950s are kept alive with a patchwork of parts...
The 1959 U.S. embargo made original car parts nearly impossible to get. And while newer vehicles are technically available, they often come from China or Europe. They also have inflated price tags and little long-term reliability.
For most Cubans, it's cheaper and more practical to keep the older machines running.
Now, there aren't schematics on how to fit a modern Toyota engine into a 70-year-old chassis... But folks like Oscar Rodríguez get it done.
He once repaired another car by taking a 1954 Jeep, cutting it in half, and welding in 18 inches of steel. Rodríguez refitted it with a Mitsubishi clutch and a Soviet-era Volga steering column.
Importing new vehicles today costs more than most Cubans earn in a decade. So men like Rodríguez are indispensable.
He charges about $400 for a major job. Many of his customers are cab drivers who have turned their classic cars into tourist attractions.
Rodríguez's story may seem unique to Cuba, but it mirrors broader truths...
Machines often outlast their original plans. And folks are always looking to extend the lives of their cars.
New-car prices are also constantly rising... with tariffs adding to the pain.
Right now, the average age of a passenger car in the U.S. is a record-high 14.5 years. That ensures a lot of wear and tear.
Simply put, the market for replacement parts is getting stronger. And suppliers are flourishing... even in tough economies.
As long as old cars keep humming along, auto parts will remain a safe and reliable market.
Regards,
Rob Spivey
February 26, 2026
