Cuban Car Mechanics

Cuban car mechanics are arguably some of the best in the world! Due to lack of resources and money, car mechanics are forced to be innovative and economically friendly in finding and recycling car parts. Some parts are cannibalized from land fills, household kitchens and Soviet vehicles for example. But the most unusual adaptation is the plastic Flintstones vitamin bottle one mechanic got from relatives in the U.S. that he has rigged to hold in the car's brake fluid. "These are things you learn out of necessity," this man says, explaining that he sets aside every Tuesday as a maintenance day for the car, which is a family heirloom that he inherited from his father. The Cadillac and other rolling symbols of American prosperity are still on the road mostly because of a Cuban communist quirk. Russian Ladas and modern European or Asian models now make up most of the vehicles on Cuba's roads, but only cars manufactured before the 1959 Cuban Revolution can be freely bought and sold here. One mechanic says: "These cars are a part of our national identity now, like rice and beans, or roast pork. We take care of these old American cars as if they were another member of the family". *** Photos provided by Jen Osborne. www.jenosbornestudio.com ***