February 4, 2004 02:09 PM EST MIAMI - Two Cubans who tried to sail to Florida in a truck converted to a pontoon boat last year are making another attempt, this time piloting a seagoing 1950s-era Buick with four other adults and five children, relatives said.
Marciel Lopez and Luis Rodriguez, who were sent back to Cuba in July after they failed to reach Florida in a converted 1951 Chevrolet pickup, were at the helm of the newest vehicle-boat conversion, and had set out to sea on Monday, relatives said.
The Coast Guard refused on Wednesday to confirm the status of the tailfinned car. Under U.S. immigration policy, Cubans who reach U.S. shores are allowed to stay while those caught at sea are usually returned.
The Miami Herald said the 1959 Buick was nearly halfway to Key West by Tuesday evening. Key West is 90 miles from Havana, but it was not immediately clear where on Cuba the group had set out to sea.
The Buick's doors had been sealed to keep water out and it was powered by its original V-8 motor.
Gotta love that GM quality.
Personally, I hope they make it. ~Wease
I think the Coast Guard should turn a blind eye.
Put the car in the Smithsonian.
And have Marciel Lopez and Luis Rodriguez for half-time entertainment at next year's Super Bowl.
Due to the trade embargo, Cubans still use and obsessively maintain classic American cars from the pre-Castro era. Saw a PBS show on this once, and the cars are awesome.
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
-Benjamin Franklin
TTTBone wrote:Due to the trade embargo, Cubans still use and obsessively maintain classic American cars from the pre-Castro era. Saw a PBS show on this once, and the cars are awesome.
yea, i went to cuba a lil while ago and its really cool to see how many nice old cars are there and there all in such good shape
CKY_ROX wrote:yea, i went to cuba a lil while ago and its really cool to see how many nice old cars are there and there all in such good shape
Wow. Any chance I could get a good Cuban-American exchange rate deal down there on my dream car?
A '56 Chevvvy BelAire!
Rolled and pleated. Crager mags or baby Moons preferred.
I'm serious.
How hard is it to get a visa?
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by ScreamingWeasel » Wed Feb 04, 2004 3:26 pm 
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Any chance I could get a good Cuban-American exchange rate deal down there on my dream car?
