Another much-loved Consul (John Phillips).
country and the length of the journeys contem- plated – most long distant transport was shared with other travellers, filling every seat in the booked taxis. There is a main highway that stretches almost
the length of the island, with three lanes in each direction, but with no central reservation. This road is shared by a variety of transport, including horses, walkers and cars. It is quite common to see a cyclist in the slow lane, overtaking a donkey cart loaded with general goods, being passed by giant Russian trucks. At the same time our taxi would be speeding along at 110kph (69mph), the driver nonchalantly checking his mobile phone to arrange his next fare! From the moment we arrived on the island we
were treated to a feast of classic American, Russian, Eastern Bloc and European cars. There were so many cars from the past that, if they
Make-shift garage keeps this car out of the elements (John Phillips).
decided to have a cruise one day, it would stretch from London to York! At every turn I would spot another ancient machine, belching smoke from a prefabricated exhaust, or a gleaming convertible carrying tourists around the town. Looking more closely at some of these cars, it
became obvious that the original structure or engine had long since gone. Old Soviet diesel engines seem to be the favourite replacement as spare parts are very difficult to obtain there. However, one can only marvel at the ingenuity and use of anything available to keep these cars on the road – I did not discover how some passed the Cuban equivalent of the MoT test. While visiting one old town, called Trinidad,
not to be confused with the island of the same name, I came across some British made cars. Two Ford Consuls were spotted resting in the shade after their hard use as taxis. I approached the
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