O/T but good documentary on cars....

Last night I was looking at the website that sends you movies for so much a month. Came across a movie called "Yank Tanks". It is about the people of Cuba and how they keep the Cars from the 30's-50's going. Let's just say I have a new found respect for these folks. Just a clue as to what they have to do, they interview a guy who handbuilds, yes by hand, asbestos lined brake shoes. Truly a must watch if you like different cultures and old cars. Bunch of sub titles and Cuban rap, so I know you just can't wait for that.

 

When you consider they have no HAMB,no pick-a-parts,no parts houses and they're at sea level and under the rule of oppressive overlords.....they are real hot rodders?

 

and it was even HAMB-friendly til the Coast Guard scuttled it?

 

Very resourceful people. They use these cars as every day cars and do what they have to do to keep them going. I mean. when's the last time you rebuilt asbestos lined brake shoes? Also if you can float a '58 Buick Roadmaster 92 miles to Miami, that takes some skill.

 

Sounds like it would be an interesting documentary.

 

I watched this like 5 times, my wife hates it!

 

I love the old man that makes stainless trim. I think I may watch it again tonight!
Gotta love the watch instantly feature.

 

I checked out the trailer for the movie (I googled Yank Tanks Trailer). Looks like it would be a good documentary to watch.

 

it really is. Awesome what these folks can do and how much they love their old daily drivers.

 

I've watched it myself, I thought it was pretty interesting. I'd say it is probably one of the better Cuban car documentaries.

 

Ive watched it before... Very interesting . Had a Cuban customer that was telling me basically the same thing the movie shows. " parts we don't need no stinkin parts" lol Those guys are hardcore and reuse everything....

 

There was a TV show about Cuban cars about a year ago. They even swap Russian engine parts into American engines.

 

I wonder if by chance the HAMB was available in Cuba? Probably not, but if so I know the car guys there could contribute a lot here!!!!

 

its a shame they probably don't. imagine the good the hamb could do there. if we're spreading the gospel of traditional rods and customs we need to get some missionaries down there.

 

Watched this film last night after the "heads up" on HAMB. Talk about inventiveness and determination! These Cuban brothers have a true HAMB heart. And the guy that bakes his own brake shoes in a home made furnace knowing that asbestos poisoning can be FATAL! He said he's just trying to feed the family! If you haven't seen this film, please watch it.

 

I got the DVD for Christmas a few years ago. It's a really cool movie, I should watch it again. The inventiveness and resourcefulness of the people keeping these cars going are just amazing.

 

How about the part where they make their own windshields? They make a form, get some flat glass, put it in a big oven till it droops onto the form...not safety glass like we have but sheeeeiiit! I also heard that some guys make piston rings from old pipes....they find the right diameter pipe and cut a thin band off and hand massage them until they look like piston rings!

 

I feel lucky just to have an Autozone now.

 

Every time I work on my DeSoto I think of my Cuban brethren ! Just say this show - amazing work !

 

Is the Internet not available in Cuba? Maybe not. It is a very cool documentary.

 

Good God man! This was covered many times over the last few years! Did you know there is unrest in the MidEast?

 

Un-rest??!! They need Valium.

Another O/T (Yes, I'm going O/T) Doco is 'Love the Beast', its about Eric Bana and an early Falcon he has had for the last 25 odd years. It covers the original build and then the most recent re-build so he could race it in the Targa Tasmania.
Well worth watching, never knew Bana was a true rev head from way back. Also has some guests pop up, Jay Leno, Jeremy Clarkson, Dr Phil (?).
Find it, watch it.
If you don't like it, you never heard this from me.

Doc.

 

happened to watch yank tanks last night. really interesting how this communist country is cut off by the US in so many different ways, yet it still manages to keep these cars running on the roads and at the same time embrace the culture that cut ties with em in the first place.
if I had to pay just less than half a months salary for a gallon of gas you fricken bet id be pedaling myself around on a bicycle. dang, thats love of an automobile! (or maybe just socialist living)

 

here is a link to the video if anyone want to/hasn't seen it.

http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/yank_tanks_carros_classicos_de_cuba/

 

Does anyone know the history of the white '54 merc at Gitmo? I was there in late '70's and early '80's and drooled over it!