(Updated 12/4/2025) Last time we saw a selection of classic American cars, but this time around we will move to next era and see a selection of Russian vehicles that are still common in Cuba.
There are quite a few of these Moskvich sedans still in use. The locals joked that these were sought after only if you could not afford a Lada.
Lada 2107s are common as well.
A more modern Lada station wagon. Unfortunately a poor quality photo, but it is the only one I managed to get of it.
Less common than the saloons, but there were some Niva SUVs as well. I did even manage to see a rare four door version.
There were plenty of Russian medium and heavy duty trucks including this GAZ 53.
And a much modified ZiL.
A Cuban water tanker of mixed pedigree.
A Kamas truck and Lada saloon.
Initially I thought the white truck might be Russian but it has been potentially identified as a Spanish Ebro, but there is another Moskvich behind it to stay in the Russian theme. On the truck the headlights are different, sports a Ford pickup grill and almost looks like two cabs mounted back to back to make a super cab.
UAZ 31512 4×4 in Varadero.
UAZ plus a Jeep.
I loved seeing these GAZ saloons for the first time in the flesh so to speak.
They are a nice sort of size for taxi work.
This GAZ-24 Volga looks a little worse for wear.
A more modern Moskvich 2141 hatchback.
In the next installment we will take a look some other marques from around the world.
The three part Cuba series:
Great photos! I’m guessing the Fiat Uno and Peugeot 205 lurking in the background of the GAZ 53 picture are recent imports? I think the Moskvich 2141 used the body tooling of the Simca 1307/Chrysler Alpine?
There were a few more modern Fiat, Mercedes and Peugeots around and I am not entirely clear how they were imported.
From what I understand the Moskvich 2141 was supposed to copy a lot of the Simca 1307 but only used the roof and some upper panels. They still do look similar.
Fiat, Mercedes and Peugeot also have assembly lines in South America. Besides, the embargo is US-only. The EU trades with Cuba.
Most of the old American cars from yesterday are sporting wheels that are far too large. Today we have that white UAV 4 door soft top SUV with wheels that look positively tiny.
I like those Volgas, kind of remind me of late 60’s Toyota Crown.
We really enjoyed being in Cuba, went about 15 and 10 years ago. Once the kids could travel we’ve done Cancun and Costa Rica, but not been back to Cuba…
The Lada station wagon —
Some Citroen ancestry?
I believe it is a Lada-112 (VAZ-2110) which was a homegrown design rather than a copy of something else. They are quite distinctive looking.
It was probably a first fully indigenous VAZ design and the thing looks half-baked inside and out. Crappy, too. One can note some influence of Ford Probe III and other 1980s concept cars here, esp on saloon and hatchback versions.
Sure are some odd proportions around the rear wheel on that more modern Lada station wagon. Thank you for the photos.
Google Maps now has “Photo Spheres” at many locations in Havana. Like Street Views but you can’t move left or right. A great way to see the city without actually going there!
I’m getting an IH vibe from the GAZ 53 truck.
Great job !
The GAZ saloons are quite good looking cars.
The Spanish Ebro truck has a TK Bedford look to it
Pretty neat to see all these .
What’s the little red car photo bombing the Moskvitch 2141 hatchback ? .
-Nate
It is a much modified Datsun 1000. You can see a better photo in this post – https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/travelogue/cc-travel-cuba-the-others/