It’s been a week since my American Cars In Puerto Rico post, and I’m ready once again to share more snapshots from the tropics; this time from Central America. And why not start at home with this shot taken at El Salvador’s National Palace?
I’ll add a bit of context to these. With Central America being split into tiny countries with small economies, no outside manufacturer ever entertained the idea of local assembly. Also, the region’s colonial links had been severed early in the 19th century, when independence from Spain was obtained. Thus, unlike African or South East nations, the automotive offer was not linked to recent colonial ties. The end result was a rather mixed landscape of models from all over the globe.
The above image is in El Salvador’s Intercontinental Hotel, and a Renault appears on display, along some VWs and a Chrysler product. Sadly, -for my interests- the presence of French makes would be all too brief in this nation.
In the end, it was up to the will of local elites -mostly of European descent- to venture into the auto market. And for these native investors, gut instinct and personal biases were the reasons to pick one brand over another for their dealerships (In all honesty, ‘gut instinct’ is how things still work over here).
Above is Guatemala City, with a nice mix of American, Japanese, and at least one European make.
Let’s pay a visit to Nicaragua’s capital, Managua. Looks like a good mix of brands, with the Brits having a nice presence.
I haven’t been much to Nicaragua (it’s awfully hot); but if I’m not mistaken, its old National Palace is no longer. Actually, most of Managua was leveled during a horrid earthquake in 1972.
Let’s move to the borders now, with a Tatra appearing in the Customs Office between Honduras and Nicaragua. And do I see a Czechoslovakian flag on that fender? Maybe a Czech diplomat? (Update: It’s on a round-the-world trip).
Guatemala City, once again. This time with a Vega (didn’t know they came here!), a Fiat, VW, and some Japanese and American trucks further back.
Let’s not leave Honduras’ capital out of this collection; Tegucigalpa. A nice Studebaker is the one that stands out to me in this shot. There’s a nice Woodie wagon on the left too.
Allow me to come back home again. This is the Poma & Co. dealer in San Salvador, here still selling American makes. Lincoln was actually quite popular with the local upper class, the result of our dictator -Maximiliano Martinez- using one as his official ride. The Poma’s would start selling Toyotas by the late ’50s, and still are the largest car dealer in the nation; with ventures into real state across the region.
As for the sign; it’s some kind of odd sales promotion: “We’ll discount 100 Colones daily for every day this car doesn’t sell… get it today, for you may not find it tomorrow.”
A Ford Thames bus provides service between San Salvador and San Miguel. Buses would grow in size, and clothing would become more American, but the street sellers and basic dwellings remain a regional trait to this day.
Let’s finish in Guatemala City, with a nice couple of Chrysler products. Now, I may live in El Salvador, but I won’t deny I find Guatemala the most fascinating country in the region. Troubled, yes, but absolutely enthralling. A visit is way overdue, and who knows? I could find some nice CCs to share.
Please do re visit Guatemala ! .
I have mostly good memories of living there in the mid 1970’s .
Today the news isn’t good for the honest people .
-Nate
Great collection of photos here, and it’s incredible to see such a variety of vehicles.
This week I stumbled across a Central American photo that might be interesting here. I’m writing a article on the Armbruster-Stageway limousine company, and came across this 1957 photo of Chevy Suburbans that Armbruster stretched for a company that offered a shuttle service between Guatemala and San Salvador.
I wish I could find a better picture of this, but still figured it would be interesting.
Thanks for that image. I didn’t know the bus service between the two nations had been in service since then. It’s actually a bit of a grueling trip (6 hours) since roads are not the greatest even today.
Although over 21,000,000 VW Type 1 Beetles were made and were common sights all over the world, they are not common now.
I enjoy seeing them in old photos and still think of them as brilliant designs for 1930s engineers in providing basic and relatively reliable transportation for over 65 years of manufacture.
It is possible that such fascination, based largely on that unhurried pace, cozy feeling, unique sound, and distinctive smell, is only felt by people who actually owned one or more of these machines.
While I sold my Beetle in the early 1970s because I thought it was unsafe (and still do), I’d love to drive one again for old times sake… just not on an interstate.
Interesting! I never thought of Nicaragua as a British stronghold. Lots of Hillmans, and an English Ford estate in front of the Opel.
Trabant in the third picture.
Interesting shots! That looks to be a commercial Peugeot 404 wagon, with the plainer grille and front end that was also used on the pickup.
The Tatra 87 was on a round-the-world trip, which lasted from 1947-1950. I assume it was financed by the Czechoslovakia and/or the Tatra factory.
These are some really interesting street scenes, which contain several cars that figured in my own life, many countries away.
The Chrysler product in the 2nd shot is a 1959 Plymouth Fury – white, just like the one I once owned. Except this one is the fancier 4 door hardtop.
The 4th shot in Managua has a snazzy 64 Olds Cutlass hardtop, like the one I spent much of my childhood in. Finally, that 1946-48 Lincoln in the lot at Poma & Co. looks like the one owned by my car-mentor Howard when I first met him in the early 1970s. And that looks like a very effective sale they were running. The desirable cars probably sold quickly and the dogs were the ones that went to the bargain hunters – the dealer probably did well and the buyers got as much of a bargain as they were willing to gamble on.
Amazing mix of brands some of which were common here, the Thames vans have all but vanished now early Transits have done the same and seeing 4 Hillmans in one photo would usually be a club outing! VW vans seem to have been popular everywhere.
With the heat and humidity in Guatemala, I can image the VW and Fiat (air cooled) lasted longer than the Vega (water cooled).
Just an extra pint of antifreeze and coolant recovery reservoir would have made a hell of a difference.
On a visit to Belize in late 1994 I noticed mostly American brands largely from the early to mid 1980’s. I was driving a brand new Suzuki Sumari.
On a trip to the Mayan ruins north of Belize City I saw a 1993 VW Beetle with Mexico plates in the parking lot. The couple driving it was surprised at my interest as they were still quite common in their home country.
However my favorite was a 1970 Oldsmobile 98 Hearse, prominently parked on the street in front of the parlor. I have a polaroid of it among other pictures from the trip.