The images of the 1951 Chevy truck with steel barrels used as pontoons and a makeshift propeller connected to the engine driveshaft is instantly recognizable. Unfortunately, their attempt was unsuccessful when they were intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard and sent back to Cuba. Nevertheless, two more similar attempts were made, one using an amphibious 1959 Buick and then a 1949 Mercury van. The socialist revolution may have stolen the freedom and dignity of Cubans, but it has never been able to steal their ingenuity and desire for freedom.

Via CubaNet (my translation):

Daring escapes by Cubans: The story of the Chevrolet truck that navigated the sea like a raft
The story behind this escape from the island became news around the world and paved the way for two other surprising Cuban inventions that served as migration tools.

While the migration crisis Cuba has been experiencing for several months is one of the largest in the country’s history, the political and economic problems on the island have led thousands of Cubans to risk their lives at sea and through other irregular routes.