Classic American Cars #1

Too easy... 1953 Chevrolet sedan. It appears to have Bel Air trim, but it's been altered. The three chrome 'teeth' have been removed from the front grille, the stainless trim around the windshield is gone and the 'Bel Air' script is missing from the rear door - plus, there are several other small changes.

Cubans are famous for "customizing" their cars and making little (sometimes major) changes to them, for reasons not obviously apparent to us but which would have made great sense to them when they did it.  But I'm sure as a car guy you are very familiar with this.  It's only easy if you know the answer, Dave B.  Thanks for your help in figuring out what it is.

And thanks for sharing thes beautiful car photos, GarryRF.  I could look at these great machines all day long.  

That Bel Air is nice but show me a car with Dagmars.  You can't go wrong with Dagmars/

Sorry... didn't mean to come off as a know-it-all. The message that I wanted to convey was that when you said 'Cuban cars', I was expecting to see some extremely modified sheetmetal/trim. That '53 is in very near-to-stock condition.

Garry I for one love seeing all the American Cars in Cuba and I know you have a lot that  will really be hard to identify. Glad we have car expert members on here!

OK - still confused - what is or are Dagmars ?

The wizards at Wikipedia explain  ....  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagmar_bumpers

They were named that for Dagmar, she was a big actress...big THAT way...back in the 50s. My mom used to say that's the only time my dad really wanted to watch TV...

It appears that Dagmars are the equivalent of car bumper nipples.

Those Car designers of the 50's must have had some influence on Madonna's wardrobe designers too. Funny how some images stick in your mind !

Man, that's a beautiful car, Garry!  Wish I'd seen it up close -- or better, go for a ride in it!