Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

[Ed H.]

I guess all of this tech session involvement has primed my juices for a true adventure. My daughter, who has her own travel agency just returned from a trip to Cuba. She had a great time and was treated very well. While there she met a taxi driver named Jack, who took her group around the Island in a beautiful 57 Bel Air, black 4-door.. During a conversation she mentioned her dad restored a 57 Red and Beige Corvette. That opened a door for her. The driver told her that he knew of 5 50;s era Corvettes. One is a Black 54 owned by an artist on the island. The other is a Red 58 that has been modified. He said if I came to the island he would help in locating the other 3. He told her, he is a member of the local antique car club known as the "Club de Autos Classico y Antigues".

All of this is leading up to another item on anyone's bucket list. Travel to Cuba, spend 5-7 days on the island, meet the members of the car club and try to locate and document, with history, all five of the Corvettes that may be present. What a Restorer article that would make for Vinnie. Plus a trip to an exotic location where hundreds of 50's era GM cars, travel daily up and down the malecon. Anyone interested let me know. I will make a list and let those who want a real adventure, the details of such a trip. I think two old trained detectives (Vinnie and me) could squeeze the necessary information out of the car club members in an attempt to locate all of the missing Corvettes. One Corvette, I am told, was presented to Batista, ( the Cuban Dictator of the 50's), by a Miami or east coast Mobster. Who can beat a cold rum and coke, a big Cuban cigar and old cars. Oh, I forgot, and the dancing girls!

[David H.]

Re: Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

I guess all of this tech session involvement has primed my juices for a true adventure. My daughter, who has her own travel agency just returned from a trip to Cuba. She had a great time ...

All of this is leading up to another item on anyone's bucket list. Travel to Cuba, spend 5-7 days on the island, meet the members of the car club and try to locate and document, with history, all five of the Corvettes that may be present. What a Restorer article that would make ... dancing girls!

Ed,

Always with the good ideas.

Dave

[Ed S.]

Re: Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

I see an international incident that is going to make the evening news in the making here but.... for five 1950s era Corvettes, it may be worth the risk (but not to me) - thanks anyway.

[Michael J.]

Re: Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

Rum, Cigars, hot Latin women............cars???

[Ed H.]

Re: Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

Ed,
Sometime you have to be bold. I have been creating international incidents all my life, Sierra Hotel, ask an old military guy what that means. We will miss you.

[Ed H.]

Re: Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

Mike,
Do I detect someone harboring a hidden desire. What plays in Cube stays in Cuba, that will be my mantra. If you don't want anyone to know of your interest you can private e-mail me and than make it self destruct in 90 seconds, that is what other folks are doing.

[Lou R.]

Re: Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

Well this is interesting...I'm a Corvette lover with a 58 & 63 SWC and I was born in Cuba back in 58 and came to this county at the age of 7. I can be the official translator and have a great time. To add some interest this can also be a "cultural" exchange trip which is sanctioned by the US. I think I would seriously consider this opportunity. Did anyone see the resent TV series "Cuban Chrome"?

[Ed H.]

Re: Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

Lou,
I saw a program on Corvettes in Cuba, that program got my juices flowing, it was ok but I think the fellow who made the film only stopped at the 54 and the 58. He did not document the way NCRS does. That program left me with the desire to dig deeper, film and photograph the results and share it with the membership. When I begin to put this together you will be at the top of the list as translator and provide me with the information on, how to apply for a cultural exchange. My daughter met the taxi driver "Jack" that was used by the fellow who made the film. My daughter went to Cuba a few months ago on a travel agents exchange, to view and review hotels, restaurants and entertainment. She came away praising the people she met and loved the food and drink. She is the one who will put the entire trip together. She has inside knowledge on what is required for air, ground transportation, and hotels. All of this will be during the winter and fall of 2017/18.

[Terry M.]

Re: Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

My daughter too offered to be translator when I told her about your expedition Ed. She was to Cuba a while back, but Corvettes were not on her agenda then. She was doing cultural things for her grad school work. She loves the country and is eager to go back.

[Mike E.]

Re: Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

I could easily be persuaded to take part!

[Ed H.]

Re: Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

Terry,
As you probably viewed Lou Romero's response to my idea. I would be very interested in your daughters knowledge on the cultural aspect and what is required to put it together. My daughter did not travel on a cultural program. She and some of her travel agent counterparts flew to
Cancun, Mx., spent a few days there, than flew to Havana. They are all very experienced travelers and know the in's and out's of traveling in countries that have political restrictions. Let me know how to contact your daughter or you can e-mail me with her info. Would you like to take part in this adventure, there is always room for you, one of the good guys.

[Ed H.]

Re: Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

Mike, stay tuned this animal is generating some very positive interest and feed back. From one acorn does an oak tree grow. I will let you know.
I think I should start a list.

[John M.]

Re: Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

You have my attention. I plan to stay tuned.

[Sal C.]

Re: Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

My wife was born there. She would love to go back. I'm listening.

[Ed H.]

Re: Who wants to find the five corvettes in cuba

To Sal and all who are interested: I met with my daughter last PM. She advised me to contact the Cuban Immigration Office via the internet, apply for a cultural visit visa. Once that is done and I find out all of the in and out procedure, my daughter will run the travel numbers for air fare and hotels. I have discovered that a cultural visa can be a blanket process for all of the members that want to complete this travel. I plan on talking to a news man, Devin Scillian from WDIV a Detroit new station. He produced a very good documentary on the history of Cuba and the 50's GM cars that travel daily in Havana. I was able to find an old photo of the first 53 Corvette delivered to Cuba. I would suggest all those interested type in Corvettes in Cuba. There is some great photos and history regarding Corvettes in Cuba and their owners.