Cuban Chrome

[TheJDMan]

I'm watching Cuban Chrome on Velocity and I'm thinking, as much as we complain about car and part prices, overall we have it pretty damn good as car guys compared to Cuban car guys. When we need a part we don't give it a second thought, just drive to the parts store and buy it or order it on-line. I was surprised to find out that car racing has been banned in Cuba for 50 years but they still manage to street race. I guess car guys will always be car guys. It will be very interesting to see how the Cuban car guys react to the 50 years of car technology that has passed them by as the embargo is lifted. I can see there are going to be some amazing business opportunities in both cars and car parts once the US trade embargo is lifted. Can anyone say parts store franchise? I really like this show!

[jakespeeds]

There seems to be some funny business. I was enjoying it until the one guy has an issue with a steering box. Forget I don't think those bearings came out of that box. He sends his boys off for new bearings for a steering box. They get a U-joint for a drive-shaft. They come back and the dad is working on a drive shaft. That looks like a half-shaft from an IRS rear-end. Then they say he is installing the new bearings in the steering box. I wish they would just tell the stories. That stuff makes it hard to take. I don't know what to believe. I deleted it out of my scheduler.

Jake

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

Unfortunately the editing on some of these shows is so terrible, it takes one mistake for me to question everything about the program, then just cancel it all together. One in particular was a show, Highway to Sell. They buy a 67 Camaro, bring it to the shop as a basketcase with like a 4 day deadline, next shot... BAM! It's a beautiful, done, perfectly restored 68 Camaro. No construction filming at all. Instant delete off the DVR.

[TheJDMan]

I agree there were some editing issues like the shot of the 57 Chevy drag car quarter fender close up then, they show a 56 Chevy going down track. Still it is an interesting insight into the Cuban car culture.

[vintageracer]

Who in their right mind pays $9000 Dollars/Peso's whatever they call it for a POS 4 DOOR 58 CHEVY????

[Ed90061]

I enjoy the program. The car guy life in other places is interesting to me regardless if it's my thing or not. For all of these types of shows I enjoy them for what they are, car based entertainment. And since its taken so long to get said entertainment, I won't throw rocks. And especially not at cuban chrome because no matter how poor I am, I/we have it so much easier than those guys. And the pos 58, if we had no after market parts industry, how much do you think that pos 69 camaro or 70 chevelle would cost. Perspective, just sayin.

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

I finally caught this several weeks back, and watched one episode. No more for me given that it follows the tired old reality show format I have grown to loathe. It was an episode with a guy's Austin Healey I believe? Anyways, so this guy spends like 15 years working on this car, then suddenly he needs to have it done for this club meeting, and the car needs to be painted in 3 days... come on, it never works like that. This is after they show the guy globbing on bondo like mashed potatoes, then somehow the result is actually decent. No way that was done in a few days at the bodyshop.

[TheJDMan]

I watched an episode of Anthony Bordain in Cuba and he briefly touched on the Cuban car culture and how until recently drag racing was banned. He also discussed how the Cuban culture is about to undergo many drastic changes due to the relaxed sanctions. He made the point that in a few years Havana will look like every other international city complete with a McDonalds or Starbucks on every block. I will say that I can see several business opportunities coming in Cuba not the least of which is auto parts stores. Anyone interested in a Cuban NAPA franchise? Just Sayin.

[raustinss]

i like how the show also shows the lives of the car guys and their families , the ingenuity, the struggles etc. you Americans have NO IDEA HOW WELL YOU HAVE IT the parts are readily available and are cost effective . i believe us Canadians would be next with availability but with the exchange rates being the issue . Now imagine being in Europe ,Asia or god who knows where else . That's when things change lots being parts availability,exchange rates and shipping . regardless Cuba will be able to get some relief in the next few years and then lets see how things are for them .im sure it will change their lives exponentially .