A Cuban mechanic fulfilled his dream of owning a car, and to do so, he had no choice but to practically build it himself. Gabriel González, a resident of Playa Baracoa, Havana, shared several photos of the repair process of his car, showcasing the severe deterioration it had when he purchased it and its current state after months of hard work and sacrifice.
"Here I show you how I picked up my little Ford and how it is now," he said in the Facebook group "Ford 52 in Cuba." Dozens of users have congratulated him for the achievement of bringing such a wrecked vehicle back to life.
González mentioned that this is the result of many hours of work and that at this moment, he is not thinking about what is still missing but about how good it can turn out. "I am doing it alone, without any help," he emphasized.
The young man, residing in Playa Baracoa, Havana, revealed that he never really liked Fords much, but he got the chance to acquire one for a low price due to its condition. "I picked it up with a magnet from the floor; it was more dead than alive."
"The fortunate thing is that I do everything myself: welding, mechanical work, and part of the bodywork, as well as brake adaptations and everything. The only thing I don't do myself is the lathe work," he specified. His goal was to have a good car, and that's why he embarked on this project, even though it was completely rusted out.
"It was missing many parts; in short, it was almost impossible to assemble. So much so that when I dragged it home, everyone made fun of me in a nasty way, and little by little, I have silenced all those people who didn’t believe in me. That's why I want to publish my story with more strength, which is one of overcoming, achievement, and fulfilling a dream," he detailed.
Gabriel admits that one has to be a bit crazy to assemble a car in Cuba during this crisis, but for him, the desire to have his own means of transportation is greater than the country's needs. "What I picked up wasn’t a car; it was an illusion," he emphasized.
Now his Ford features a Volga 24 engine with a fourth gear box and a Mitsubishi 4.1 differential, with disc brakes on all four wheels and 18-inch rims. He also had to install a rack and pinion steering system that he doesn't particularly like, but for now, his financial situation doesn't allow him to install the Cherokee worm gear he would prefer.
"I've finished with the bodywork; now what I'm going to do is paint the undercarriage before mounting it on the chassis," he noted. "This is a battle of pure ingenuity because we really don't have anything; everything is based on improvisation," he added.
For now, Gabriel is unsure whether he will have the heart to sell or trade the car once he finishes it; it is most likely that he will keep it, as it is his first car and he would like to preserve it.
To a user involved in a similar project, he advised, "Don't look at what you lack; think about how you want it to turn out. Many people mocked me when I started. They told me I couldn't do it, and today I am filled with pride because those same people now praise me."
Frequently Asked Questions about Gabriel González's Car Restoration
Here are some common questions and answers regarding Gabriel González's impressive project of restoring a severely damaged Ford in Cuba.
What motivated Gabriel González to restore such a deteriorated car?
Gabriel was driven by his dream of owning a car. Despite the vehicle's poor condition and the numerous challenges, his desire to have his own means of transportation was greater than the obstacles he faced.
What parts of the car did Gabriel González handle by himself?
Gabriel took care of the welding, mechanical work, part of the bodywork, and brake adaptations by himself. The only aspect he did not handle personally was the lathe work.
What specific components did Gabriel González use in his restored Ford?
Gabriel's Ford now has a Volga 24 engine with a fourth gear box, a Mitsubishi 4.1 differential, disc brakes on all four wheels, and 18-inch rims. He also installed a rack and pinion steering system.
Does Gabriel González plan to sell his restored car?
Gabriel is currently unsure if he will sell or trade the car once it is finished. It is likely that he will keep it, as it is his first car and he has a sentimental attachment to it.