The tiny Caribbean island where the streets are full of classic Fords and Chevrolets

Whilst most drivers love the feeling of getting into a brand-new car, one country is renowned for owning tens of thousands of classic models.

Colourful classic cars parked at the roadside

To a tourist, the streets of Cuba appear to be a never-ending classic car show (Image: Getty)

Drivers are just discovering the real reason why one country still has an extensive fleet of historic vehicles in daily use, with many visitors calling it a living car museum. Whilst tourists are likely to find a wide range of interesting models wherever they go, the island of Cuba likely has more classic cars than anywhere else in the world.

It is estimated that the country has between 60,000 and 70,000 vehicles that were first registered before 1956, many of which are still in daily use by their owners. One of the main reasons why so many old models are left on the streets of Cuba is due to an embargo placed by the American Government on all products made by the company following the Cuban Revolution of 1959. A move intended to prevent the roll-out of Communism across the Caribbean island, and discourage American tourists from visiting, the ban practically put a stop to almost all cars, vans, and trucks being imported to Cuba.

Light blue and white Chevrolet Bel Air convertible

Trade restrictions means many residents have owned the same cars since the 1950s (Image: Getty)

As a result, many motorists have been unable to replace the vehicle their family owned in the late 1950s – the majority of which being American-built saloons and estates from companies such as Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors.

These include a wide range of iconic models that commonly cost a fortune among Western collectors, such as the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, 1955 Ford Thunderbird, and 1958 Plymouth Fury – commonly known for its appearance in the film Christine.

Nevertheless, with the embargo also putting a ban on imported spare parts, most classic cars in Cuba are not in showroom condition – with many being modified with replacement engines (typically imported from Ladas imported for Government use by the Soviet Union) and the occasional modern feature such as LED headlights, a radio, and even air conditioning.

White Morris Minor 1000 on streets of Havana

In addition to the American classics, Cuba has many UK-made cars, such as Morris Minors (Image: Getty)

Whilst owning the same car for more than 65 years may sound less than ideal, the increasing number of holidaymakers visiting Cuba has created a thriving industry for the old vehicles.

Many classics are currently used as rental cars or taxis specifically designed to show tourists around major cities such as Havana – helped by the country’s loosening restrictions on residents running their own businesses.

However, unfortunately for tourists who fall in love with their dream car whilst on holiday, the Cuban Government prohibits any vehicle from being exported.