Yank tank

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Yank tank or máquina are the words used to describe classic cars in Cuba. After the Cuban Revolution, the USA imposed an embargo on Cuba, making international trade very difficult. As a result, the cars that were present were nurtured. And since there were many of these, due to the presence of many rich US citizens in Cuba under Fulgencio Batista, classic cars are the standard, rather than an exception in Cuba. Due to the constant good care, many remain in good working order.

However, many of these vehicles, especially those in taxi service, have been converted to accept replacement engines. The practical limits of engine longevity, scarcity of replacement parts, and the high cost of fuel in post Cold War Cuba have made diesel power a popular choice for engine replacement.

The term "yank tank" is also used in Australian and British slang to describe these cars, but more generally to describe any American car considered to be large and unwieldy - including both classics (such as Cadillacs) and modern SUVs.