Cuba's classic cars

Tourists ride in a classic American car on the Malecon in Havana, Cuba, Oct. 15, 2014.

Those lucky enough to have a pre-revolutionary car can earn money legally by ferrying tourists, or Cubans celebrating weddings, along Havana’s waterfront Malecon boulevard.

Havana

A man drives a classic American car after an exhibition of antique classic cars in Havana, Cuba, Oct. 17, 2014.

While the U.S. embargo that took effect in 1961 stopped the flow of new cars, and most parts, a few Cubans now manage to bring in replacement parts when friends or family visit from the U.S.

Havana

A man cleans his American classic car before going to work in Havana, Cuba, Oct. 16, 2014.

Havana

Yoandi Failu, 34, repairs a coil spring from a classic American car in Havana, Cuba., Oct. 16, 2014.

Failu fabricates parts in crude workshops. Many scavenge parts, particularly engines, from Soviet-era cars and trucks.

Havana

Tourists drive a classic car through Old Havana, Cuba, Sept. 26, 2014.

Havana

People drive classic American cars in Old Havana, Cuba, Oct. 16, 2014.

These cars are now part of Havana’s tourist draw.

Havana

Tourists ride in a classic American car on the Malecon in Havana, Cuba, Oct. 15, 2014.

Officials in recent years have eased state control over the economy by allowing limited self-employment. Those lucky enough to have a pre-revolutionary car can earn money legally by ferrying tourists.

Havana

An American classic cars is reflected in a mirror in Havana, Cuba, Oct. 15, 2014.

The cars may gleam on the outside, but they’re often battered, rolling monuments to ingenuity within.

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Men repair a coil spring on a classic American car in Havana, Cuba, Oct. 16, 2014.

Havana

A man drives a classic American car on The Malecon in Havana, Cuba, Oct. 15, 2014.

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Tourists sit in a classic American car in Old Havana, Cuba, Sept. 26, 2014.

Guanabo

Women rest while sitting on a vintage car in a parking lot at the beach in Guanabo as rain clouds gather, outside Havana, Aug. 12, 2007.

Havana

A car drives past a mural of revolution leader Che Guevara in Havana, Jan. 8, 2012.

Havana

A vintage car drives by a mural showing Cuba's former leader Fidel Castro, right, national hero Jose Marti and revolution leader Che Guevara, left, in Havana, Aug. 13, 2009.

Havana

Cars are driven as the sun sets over Havana's seafront boulevard 'El Malecon' April 3, 2012.

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A bride rides a convertible car during a wedding celebration in Havana, April 17, 2013.

Havana

The driver of a U.S.-made car used as a private collective taxi drops people at a beach on the outskirts of Havana May 19, 2013.

Collective taxis, also known as "almendron" (big nutshell), have established routes around or near Havana, picking up and dropping off passengers along the way. The price of a journey in these taxis ranges from $0.50 for a ride within the city to $1 for a 30km (18.7 mile) ride to the outskirts of Havana.

Havana

People sit in a U.S.-made car used as a private collective taxi parked near the sea on the outskirts of Havana, May 19, 2013.