The Story Behind Miami's Viral Moskvich: "Many Wonder if It Belongs to a Cuban Communist or Leader"

Amid the highways of Miami, a red Moskvich—one of those iconic Soviet cars that once dotted the streets of Cuba—has become a fascinating sight for many, who take photos without knowing the tale it carries. Its owner, Marcos Miranda, a Cuban software engineer living in the city, revealed to CiberCuba that the vehicle was a "surprise gift" for his father, reminiscent of the Moskvich they once owned in Camagüey.

"When I found an identical one back in 2018, I knew I had to buy it for him," Miranda shared. "There are only three of these cars in the entire United States. My father was in disbelief, and we immediately began restoring it together. Every outing attracted Cubans in Miami who wanted to take pictures or chat. He, who wasn't much of a talker, enjoyed his coffee and cigar at La Carreta or Versailles, right next to the car," reminisced the Miami resident.

The Moskvich became an integral part of their family life. However, in 2020, Marcos's mother passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer, and shortly after, his father also fell ill and died in 2022. "The car was left in the garage, filled with memories," he confessed. "It was tough to look at it again, but eventually, I realized it shouldn't remain idle. It was something we shared and needed to keep moving."

Over the years, the red Moskvich of Miami has been filmed on highways and has gone viral on social media, garnering thousands of views and comments. Many speculated about the identity of the driver behind the Soviet vehicle. "People even suggested it belonged to a communist or a Cuban leader," Miranda told CiberCuba. "But in reality, it was a gift I gave my father, identical to the one we had in Camagüey."

As time passed, Miranda decided it was time to bring the car back out from the garage. "I chose not to let Miami's Moskvich gather dust any longer, and now it's known as La Moska Libre, my tribute to the old man," he stated. "My father and I shared beautiful moments restoring this car and other antiques we've owned." Although his parents are no longer around, the Moskvich continues to cruise the roads, carrying its touching story onward...