Cuban mechanic named Juan Carlos Pino (56) has converted his 1980 Fiat Polski (a Polish-built Fiat model) to run on charcoal instead of petrol/gasoline.
Pino built the entire system from scrap in his workshop and rolled it out on March 4, 2026. The car has already completed an 85 km test run at up to 70 km/h.
The original 60-litre fuel tank is now soldered to the rear as the charcoal hopper. Everything is DIY scrap. Pino was inspired by his late uncle and open-source designs (e.g., from Argentine innovator Edmundo Ramos).
Short-term / crisis use: Yes, it’s a brilliant stopgap. Charcoal is abundant and cheap; the car drives normally on pot-holed Cuban roads, and Pino is already a local celebrity with people asking him to convert more vehicles (even tractors). No petrol = mobility restored. Long-term: No, not really — it accelerates wear compared to running on petrol.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5EaFUtKXdM&t=86
Read MoreBeing able to do simple repairs is a dying skill set. To basterdise something my Grandfather told me, he watched the American culture shift from a society that fixes and repairs to a throwaway society during the 70s Everything is disposable, limited use, cheap junk now a days.
@Kloi I've saved a shit-ton of money over the years ever since I learned how to use tools and fix shit myself. I think my proudest repair was our washing machine.
But then there are occasions in which the work is best left to professionals and/or my time is more valuable than the money and/or I just don't want to do it.
Man I can't quite remember the quote but it's something along lines of poverty building skills out of necessity.
I am blessed to have been handed down the skills to avoid calling professionals for beyond minor repairs.
That being said, I can not wait until the day I am finically set up, the the point $140/hr shop price is more appealing then sloshing around under my car at 9pm, in 2in of icey slush to replace my shifter cable.
Hang on while I go through, copy and past all of Typos posts so we're at least tied.
keep in mind that I still ahve not been able to unlock all those achievements.
Man that was an interesting couple of days when those first came out. I am still missing a few last time I checked.
Spreading the anti-wealth.
The first ever voice chat on here was a lot of fun
Great time shit talking and bonding on dot reds voice
@redpillschool it was a great feature

