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A traffic accident reported on the afternoon of this Sunday in Jagüey Grande, Matanzas, left two people injured and a historic vehicle damaged: a 1958 Buick Special, one of the most iconic American cars preserved in Cuba since the 1950s.
According to information provided on social media by the community page 'Yo Amo Jagüey', the collision occurred around 2:00 p.m. at the intersection of 13th and 66th streets. Two injured individuals were taken to the municipal hospital, although details regarding their health status have not been disclosed.
The classic car collided with a motorcycle, which lay sprawled on the pavement. The body of the Buick showed visible damage on one of its sides, where its recognizable spear-shaped chrome trim and rear tailfins, typical of late 1950s American automotive design, stood out.
The 1958 Buick Special, manufactured by General Motors, is remembered for its striking design featuring dual headlights, a distinctive chrome grille, and the sleek fins that defined an era.
That year, more than 240,000 units were produced, and many arrived in Cuba before 1959, where they still circulate thanks to the mechanical ingenuity of generations of Cubans.
Neighbors from the area approached the site of the accident while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Cuba and the American Dream on Wheels: "You can indeed have a Buick"
The damaged car is not just a mechanical relic: it is a symbol of the automotive boom that Cuba experienced in the first half of the 20th century. By 1919, the island was already the largest importer of cars in Latin America, and Havana became one of the main testing markets for the American automotive industry.
The entry of vehicles began early on. In 1902, a steam car from the brand Locomobile and Co. of America arrived in Santiago de Cuba, and by 1910, around 4,000 automobiles were circulating in the streets of the capital. By 1922, that number had grown to 20,000.
For decades, Cubans experienced a true car fever. The streets were filled with Chevrolet, Ford, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Plymouth, and Buick, brands that fiercely competed to attract an audience increasingly captivated by modernity on wheels.
Among them, Buick earned a special place in the hearts of Cubans, establishing itself as a symbol of status, comfort, and modernity. Its fame was propelled by a simple yet effective slogan that was repeated by radio stations, newspapers, and magazines:
"You can have a Buick."
With the option of installment purchasing and illuminated showrooms in the center of Havana, thousands of Cubans were able to access vehicles that today would be considered classic collectibles.
In 1958, just a year before the triumph of the Revolution, Cuba ranked sixth in the world for the average number of cars per capita, only behind powers like the United States, Canada, and West Germany. More than 180,000 cars were on the roads of the island, mostly American, and many of them are still operating today, transformed into an astonishing living museum that rolls through the streets thanks to the ingenuity and resilience of the Cuban people.
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