Cuba,The Classic Car Scene & Your Chance to Join It-Discovery Channel Hiring for Reality TV Show

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Photo use courtesy of Pilgrim Studios, photographer © Roberto Lusso | Dreamstime.com

A warm climate, classic cars, beaches, delicious Latin food, cervezas, and amazing jazz.  Sound like the perfect vacation?  Want to live that way, not just vacation?  Well, your opportunity may have just opened up.

I recieved a bizarre email from Pilgrim Studios, producers of Fast N' Loud on the Discovery Channel, announcing they are issuing a casting call (request for cast applications) for a new "unscripted" reality TV show filmed in Cuba; they're going to send American car restorers down to help the Cubans restore their vintage iron. They asked if I could help get the word out to American car restorers and I thought it'd be fun to pair that with a blog on the Cuban classic car scene, so I agreed.

Photo use courtesy of Pilgrim Studios © Jedynakanna | Dreamstime.com

Do you have a vague recollection of what's going on with the Cuban car scene?  Want a brief refresher?  Here's a little perspective before you fly to the "casting call/submit application" website address at the end of this blog. 

Photo courtesy of Jim Culp, Flickr Creative Commons License

First let's flashback to the 1950s Cuba, a successful and vibrant time for Havana. Imagine casinos filled with American tourists lining downtown Havana.  Starting in 1957 Cuba hosted an International Grand Prix race. See the above car? It's a Ferrari 335 S.  More specifically Stirling Moss won the 1958 Cuban Grand Prix in one of these.  In just six laps!

What?  Six laps?

Photo courtesy of Jim Culp, Flickr Creative Commons License

The race was red flagged because another competitor had crashed into the crowd killing seven at a race where safety was already much in question for two reasons: 1. the track layout was dangerous with poor run-offs (hence the crash into the crowd), and 2. Juan Miguel Fangio had been kidnapped by rebels the night before and was still missing.

Photo free on Wikipedia, photographer unknown

Yes, the socialist rebels that were trying to overthrow Cuba's American friendly 1950s government had taken "El Maestro" from his hotel by gunpoint.

For some of you "Fangio" may not ring-a-bell so a quick history lesson, Fangio is possibly the best driver to ever race cars.  Wikipedia says this about him:

"Juan Manuel Fangio nicknamed El Maestro ("The Master"), was a racing car driver from Argentina. He dominated the first decade of Formula One racing, winning the World Drivers' Championship five times - a record which stood for 47 years until beaten by Michael Schumacher. He is regarded by many as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time and holds the highest winning percentage in Formula One - 46.15% - winning 24 of 52 Formula One races he entered."

Photo available on wiki, courtesy of 玛莎拉蒂 - 玛莎拉蒂中国 Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons

Fangio was returned rather un-ceremonially after the race but the kidnapping was a sign of things to come in regards to how socialists dealt with car racing.

In extreme short, because this is a car blog not a history blog, circa 1959-1960 the rebels succeeded in overthrowing the government.  Extremely socialist in nature, they began re-allocating the wealth (as it rapidly disappeared), and persecuting those that didn't conform to the new status quo, as they were trained by expert emissaries sent from the USSR to help make sure socialism was firmly established.

The US, not being fond of Socialism or the USSR just miles from Florida, applied trade embargoes against Cuba. Alyn Edwards of the Vancouver Sun writes, "Thousands of American cars were brought into Cuba up until 1960, the year that the United States government declared a trade embargo that stopped all imports. From that time on, the innovative Cubans found ways to keep their prized American cars in operation, even though they could no longer import parts from the U.S.."

Photo courtesy of Alexander Schimmeck, Flickr Creative Commons License

The Cuban Grand Prix tried once more to race in 1960 but the same safety and political instability plagued the event and the 1960 Cuban Grand Prix was the last to be held in Cuba.

In 1962 the Cuban government issued an edict that car racing was elitist in nature, and that no government infrastructure would be used for car racing. In a socialist government, where all infrastructure was controlled by the government, this effectively killed all motor-sport competition in Cuba.

Ok, history lesson over, let's move forward to the now.  Again, in extreme brief, Cubans are gaining some personal freedom, enough so that President Obama has decided to lift some of the embargoes against Cuba.  Apparently enough restrictions have been lifted that Pilgrim Studios/Discovery Channel thinks they can bring down a film crew, tools and car parts to restore classic cars in Cuba for a reality TV show.

Photo courtesy of Alexander Schimmeck, Flickr Creative Commons License

Now the first question that popped into my head is, "do they need the help"?  After all, they've been keeping vintage iron alive for 55 years without American help.  They've got to be pretty good mechanics right?  I decided to do a little research into the state of classic car repair in Cuba.

Again,  Alyn Edwards of the Vancouver Sun writes (after a visit to Cuba), "The majority of these cars have been re-powered with diesel engines, either from Russia or Japan. There are no junkyards in Cuba. Everything that would have been junk is on the cars. A passing old Ford sports a grille from a Buick. A mid-'50s Chrysler slides by with parts that look they came from an old refrigerator. A 1956 Ford features extra side trim of unknown origin. Many of these cars have been banged up over the years and have been recipients of very bad body repairs."

Socialism resulted in most of the population going into poverty as gross national output fell.  I don't know if you've ever had a classic car and been poor but I have so let me tell you how that goes.  You do  not restore your classic car to look like a SEMA Car Show winner when you are poor.  What you do, when poor, is fix things that break in the cheapest way possible to continue to be able to make it to your low-paying job on time.  I've done this with an old Ford F-250.  See the bike in the back in the below picture? That's so when the classic car breaks down you can still make it to said low-paying job without being so late you get fired and have to find another low-paying job.

Photo courtesy of Anthony Easton, Flickr Creative Commons License

I searched "Cuban Classic Car" in Flickr photos to confirm visually that "repairs done as necessary" was indeed the state of the majority of classic cars in Cuba.  The photographs from Cuba did confirm that the majority of photographed classic cars in Cuba are in a state of disrepair and fall far short of American "restoration" standards.  

In other words, a bunch of Americans with nice parts and the available time to spend on restoring cars (rather than having to work 14 hours every day to afford food) could help the Cuban classic car owners have nicer cars.

Photo courtesy of Alexander Schimmeck, Flickr Creative Commons License

Remember the picture of Cuban mechanics around the blue car earlier in the blog (think stomach)?  Well, the photographer also shot a picture of the inside of the car.  Notice lunch. And the state of the interior.

Photo courtesy of Alexander Schimmeck, Flickr Creative Commons License

I also happened across this photo of a mechanics garage space.

Photo courtesy of Susan Sermoneta, Flickr Creative Commons License

All signs indicate a majority of classic car owners in Cuba would appreciate help getting their cars restored.  I will caveat though, although some American builders will be better at complete restorations, I highly doubt that they will be better at "just-make-it-work" based on what I'm seeing.

Photo courtesy of Alexander Schimmeck, Flickr Creative Commons License

Now, I've come across photos of good looking cars in Cuba too, but they were not in the majority.  Also, I asked Pilgrim Studios to provide me stock photos for this blog and the below picture they sent me does appear to show some well restored cars.

Photo use courtesy of Pilgrim Studios © Kmiragaya | Dreamstime.com 

And some guys in Cuba are hot rodding their cars. A new movie documenting Cuba's underground drag racing scene was just released and it's earning rave reviews.  It's called Havana Motor Club and Jalopnik wrote up an article praising the movie you can read here (click the word "here").

I am a cynic of everything corporate, and I can't help but think that Pilgrim Studios is probably hoping they can make some money buying up cars like the famed derelict Cuba Mercedes Gullwing.  I can't find a royalty free picture of the car but you can see it at the blog located here - http://www.scottgrundfor.com/finding-the-cuban-gullwing/

If you need more incentive than just helping poor people fix up their pre-1960 American cars (a noble cause in my mind, especially if they need it for work like a taxi service, or etc), then consider the following factors.

Factor 1 - The food is tasty.  I live near Portland Oregon where there is a Cuban restaurant, Pembiche. The food is delicious and the ambiance is colorful.  I'm sure you'd find much more of the same in Cuba.

Photo courtesy of Joel Bechtolt, Flickr Creative Commons License

Factor 2 - The Cuban jazz scene is vibrant and lively.  I'm sitting here listening to the Buena Vista Social Club as I write this.  If you haven't heard the Social Club go find it online and listen to it now, you will thank  me.  Or watch the movie documentary of the same name.  After a hard day of working on cars I don't think you could go wrong catching one of these artists at a show.

Photo courtesy of Frnbrnks, Flickr Creative Commons License

Factor 3 - It's tropical.  Tired of winter in Portland/Minnesota/etc?  Palm trees. 

I do have a practical question though.  In a nation where people are supposed to all be equal, and motor racing has been banned as "elitist" how will you select who will get their vehicle restored?  Won't that put them at an economic advantage that socialism frowns at?  Castro is going to allow this?  Oh well, I'll let Pilgrim Studios worry about this detail.

Photo courtesy of Gerry Zambonini, Flickr Creative Commons License

So what do you say?  Want to go help people in an impoverished nation restore their vintage American metal?  Want to enjoy a tropical climate, lively jazz scene, and good food while you do it?  Want to experience what life is like under a quasi-dictator in a socialist country?  Well, the cars, owners & Cuba await.  Here's the link to the casting call (place to submit your resume) - http://www.pilgrimstudios.com/casting/cuba/

Oh, and here's the blog Pilgrim Studios suggested I post:

"Do you want to restore classic American cars in Cuba?"

"Discovery Channel is now seeking American Classic Car restorers to fly to Cuba for an exciting unscripted TV series."

Three low-res low-quality pictures go here (OK I wrote this last sentence, but the first pictures they sent me were LOW quality but they did follow up with better photos when I published this blog).

1969 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series II Coupe

This particular model is Olde English White with Black leather interior, wooden steering wheel and Chrome Wires. This car was found in good nick with its tool-kit, jack, lead hammer and tool for knock-ons.

There has been a huge upswing in the classic and vintage car market recently - prices have sky-rocketed and available stock is becoming more and more scarce. I would imagine a great factor is the fact that a lot of our stock is grabbed up by overseas collectors due to the fact of our vehicles being largely rust free and as the rand weakened and greater prices were realised overseas, many of our cars are being exported.

 One of the greatest of all British sports cars ever to be manufactured (and this fact is supported by the many conversions and build-up kits being offered to the enthusiast), was the Jaguar E-Type - (Roadster in particular, as far as I'm concerned) and it was an instant classic, an exercise in cool, aerodynamic theory and unashamed showmanship, producing probably the most beautiful sports car of the 60's.`

From the outside, the 3.8 and 4.2 Series I E-Types are had to tell apart, but the bucket seats are a giveaway : this one below is a 3.8 roadster.

Below: The Series I and Series II compared - the later car has open headlights to comply with American safety regulations.

It had the ability to live up to it's looks, too. The 150mph (241kph) that Jaguar claimed for the E-Type was devastatingly quick in 1961 (in reality, only the tweaked-up press cars could achieve it, and 140 (225) was nearer the truth), making the new Jaguar Britain's fastest production car. Better still, it was probably Britain's greatest bargain price-wise, undercutting its nearest rival, the Aston Martin DB4, by a third.

That curvy shell, inspired by the Le Mans-winning D-Type racer, was immensely stiff - all the better to take advantage of it s new wishbone and coil-spring independent rear suspension.

Combining near-limousine ride comfort with vice-like grip, even on the slender cross-ply tyres that looked like something off a bike to modern eyes, the new Jaguar handled superbly. Providing the power was the 3.8litre XK engine, already 13 years old but still well worthy of the new chassis.

The same couldn't be said of the elderly, slow-shifting Moss gearbox, a feature of all Jaguars since the 1930's or the disc brakes that were spoilt by an uncertain-feeling pedal.

Pop stars, racing drivers and royalty jostled for position in an ever-lengthening waiting list for the car. Lew Grade wanted to borrow one for his new British TV series, The Saint, but Jaguar turned him down - they could sell every car they could make.

 Despite the demand, development continued. The bigger 4.2 engine from 1964 was torquier and and came with a much better gearbox and brakes. Seats and trim improved, as did the electrics, making the 3,2 Series I E's the best of the bunch. Appeals for a roomier car were met by a two-plus-two version in 1966 and there was even an automatic, as Jaguar tried to reconcile the E's performance image with a need to increase sales in America.

The E-Type's design found a place in the Museum of Modern Art and is sensual rather than sexy, for the car was designed from the heart and the world has been in love with it from the start!

Below : On the open road, the E-Type was good for over 140mph (225kph). The car in front is an early Series I 3.8 Roadster, behind is a Series II Coupe. 

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1966 Jaguar 3.8 MK.II

About two years ago I heard about a 1966 Jaguar 3.8 MK.II which was for sale in Tzaneen. I phoned the owner and after a short discussion I decided to go and have a look at it. I was astounded at the originality of the car and bought it on the spot. I put in a battery and fuel and even after standing for 20 years, it started immediately and ran like a watch. We drove it onto the truck and headed back to Tarlton.

BEFORE - 1966 Jaguar 3.8 MK.II 

Upon closer inspection at home, I found the original tool kit in the boot in it's original tray situated in the spare wheel well. In the glove box I found the original Jaguar wallet with it's hand-book, Wall Service Chart and the original factory warranty. The licence fees had been paid every year from 1966 by the previous owner. Incredibly, the car has done only 85,000 miles, never been in an accident and the cylinder-head has never been off.

AFTER - 1966 Jaguar 3.8 MK.II

Over the next year or so, I re-sprayed the car Windsor Blue, an original Jaguar colour, cleaned up the upholstery and woodwork and fitted a new set of brake pads as well as new silencers.

The windscreen is original, but I renewed the rubbers when I sprayed the car and also put in new rubbers at the rear window. Mechanically the engine, gearbox, over-drive and suspension is original apart from new rubbers and grease boots. the car went through roadworthy the first time and turns heads whenever I drive it.

C'est la vie – happy motoring!
From the pen of the "Ja Broer" (Dave Clarkson)

More than 80 000 MK.II's were sold and the model inspired a whole raft of more expensive variations on the same theme : The S-Type, the 420 and even a Daimler with its own special V8 engine. It is the pure original MK.II, however, that has won the hearts of enthusiasts and collectors.

The sight of a Jaguar MK.II inspires a misty-eyed emotional response like no other 60's saloon. For a decade from 1959, the year of Britain's first motorway, the compact Jaguar was the bread and butter of Browns Lane, Coventry. It was the last proper sports saloon the company ever made.

The MK.II was nothing if not versatile. It was favoured not just by the criminal fraternity (it was no accident that the James Fox character drove a white MK.II in Donald Campbell's superb 1970 film Performance, or Michael Caine's pursuers a red one in the classic Get Carter of 1971) but also by the law itself, because it was so wickedly fast. At the same time, the MK.II was also a very respectable car; a quiet, comfortable and classy businessman's express for the stockbroker belt. It made a fine name for itself on the track as a saloon-car racer, and industry personalities such as Graham Hill and Colin Chapman gave the MK.II the stamp of approval by using them off-duty too.

Technically, the MK.II wasn't vintage Jaguar (though the unitary shell had broken new ground for the company on its 2.4 MK.I progenitor of 1955), but its beautifully-balanced shape had the classic William Lyons touch, as did the interior with its leather seats and wooden dash and door cappings - the fascia packed with dials and switches like a wartime bomber's flight deck.

The MK.II owner could do a legal 125mph (201kph) if he owned the full-house 3.8 manual overdrive car - it was the fastest saloon on the road for a time in the early 60's - or 120 (193) in the 3.4. The leisurely 2.4, on the other hand, couldn't even mange 100 (160) - which was why Jaguar's press department never allowed one out to be tested.

JAGUAR MK.II - 1959 - 1969
Engine - Straight Six
Capacity - 2483/3442/3781cc
Power - 120-220bhp
Transmission - 4-speed manual, 3-speed auto
Top speed - (3.8) 125mph (201kph)
No. built - 83 980

The 1966 MK.II was one of the last to have big bumpers: slim line bumpers were announced for the 240/340 models of 1967. Jaguar gave the MK.II a bigger rear window and different semi-open spats to help brake cooling.

Above : The 3.8-litre engine gave a claimed 220bhp, making the MK.II one of the fastest saloons on the road. 

"The Cat" 

At the Centenary Car Club, Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa

At the Centenary Car Club, Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa 

1966 Jaguar 3.8 MK.II - Car of the Month May 2012 - Centenary Car Club

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