Ep 2. Bye Bye Boat Motor

In the second episode of Cuban Chrome season 1 titled "Bye Bye Boat Motor," viewers are taken on a journey through the streets of Havana as a group of car enthusiasts strive to restore a vintage Chevy Bel Air. The episode starts with a man named Mario who is the owner of a garage called "Yank Tank" looking for a reliable boat motor to replace the old one in his Chevy Bel Air.

As we are introduced to Mario and his team of expert mechanics, we learn that they are extremely passionate about cars, especially American vintage vehicles. We see Mario's garage is always busy with customers coming in to have their car engines checked out, and we hear how difficult it is to find replacement parts for such rare vehicles.

In search of a new boat motor for his Chevy Bel Air, Mario and his team have to navigate the complexities of the Cuban black market, where finding parts like a boat motor is not as straightforward as one would assume. They go on a wild goose chase, checking multiple scrapyards, calling various contacts, and dealing with unreliable individuals who claim to have the parts they need.

Watching Mario's team search for the boat motor, viewers get a glimpse into the everyday life of Cubans on the bustling streets of Havana. Street vendors sell fresh produce to passersby, kids play in the streets, and old cars zoom through the city. The show captures the old-world charm of Cuba, and how automobiles are an essential part of the nation's culture.

Throughout the episode, we witness the camaraderie between Mario and his mechanics, as they work together tirelessly to restore the vintage Chevy. There's a real sense of community in the garage, and viewers get a glimpse into how difficult it can be to operate without consistent access to essential resources. The team must improvise when they can't find the exact parts they need, and yet the passion for their job never wavers.

As the episode progresses, we see that the team faces numerous setbacks while trying to find the boat motor, including a brush with the police, an argument with a shady seller, and a failed negotiation. The tension is palpable as they approach the deadline for the car to be ready for Havana's annual parade, where they plan on showcasing the restored Chevy.

The sense of urgency is heightened in the latter half of the episode as Mario and his team finally come across a reliable seller who has the exact boat motor they are looking for. The team purchases the motor and rush back to the garage to begin the process of installing it into the car. With time running out and the revived Chevy Bel Air still in pieces, the team must work hard to get the car ready in time for the parade.

The final minutes of the episode culminate in a breathtaking car parade, where Mario and his team proudly showcase the restored Chevy Bel Air. The car looks like a work of art, making all the long hours spent restoring it worthwhile. The parade scene is a fitting tribute to the mechanics' hard work and their unwavering love for cars.

Overall, "Bye Bye Boat Motor" is an exhilarating and heartwarming episode that not only showcases the challenges of operating a car garage in Cuba but also highlights the significance of vintage cars to the Cuban culture. The commitment and passion of Mario and his team in restoring the Chevy Bel Air act as a reminder of how cars have the power to bring people together and inspire a love that transcends borders.