Classic cars being refurbished at Garaje NostalgiCar include a toy car that will be fixed up for the owner’s son. AngelVR Airbnb
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo smiles after seeing a Japanese Toyota engine fitted into the body of Lola, a refurbished 1956 Chevrolet in Havana. The car’s owner, Julio Alvarez Torres, left, lifts the hood. Cuomo was the first American governor to visit the island since the thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations. Desmond Boylan AP
Detail from the dash of a Chevy Bel Air in the NostalgiCar fleet. Mimi Whitefield Miami Herald Staff
Lola, a Chevy Bel Air, has lipstick-pink door locks. Mimi Whitefield Miami Herald Staff
Julio Alvarez Torres still drives the 1937 Ford that bears this tag on his way to and from work. Mimi Whitefield Miami Herald Staff
A fully restored Chevy Bel Air gleams outside Garaje NostalgiCar AngelVR Airbnb
This work-in-progress Chevy Impala is the next car that will join the NostalgiCar fleet. AngelVR Airbnb
Julio Alvarez Torres checks under the hood of a 1937 Ford that he uses to get to and from work. AngelVR Airbnb
Work on this 1959 Chevy Impala at Garaje NostalgiCar is nearing completion. Julio Alvarez explains what’s under the hood: a Mercedes engine. AngelVR Airbnb
Julio Alvarez’s personal car, a 1937 Ford, is in the front while a two-tone car used in the NostalgiCar fleet can be seen in the background. AngelVR Airbnb
The gas tank in this classic car is accessed by lifting up the tail light. Mimi Whitefield Miami Herald Staff
Julio Alvarez Torres explains the progress made on refurbishing a classic car at the Garaje NostalgicCar in Boyeros, Cuba Mimi Whitefield Miami Herald Staff
Julio Alvarez’s 1956 Chevy Bel Air, Lola, stops in front of a casa particular, or private guest house, in Havana. Mimi Whitefield Miami Herald Staff
Sign on the dash of a 1956 Chevy Bel Air welcomes passengers. An evil eye medallion, left, swings from the mirror. Mimi Whitefield Miami Herald Staff
NostalgiCar will dispatch its fleet of vintage cars for dropoffs and pickups at the Havana airport. Mimi Whitefield Miami Herald Staff
