In the Switzerland of South America – in Montevideo, Colonia and Punta del Este – a unique Uruguayan approach to cars can be seen. Cars are expensive and the climate is benign, so the road along the south coast from Montevideo to Punta boasts gently rusting fields which present a history of the car in the twentieth century. And some are on the street …
Mid-20th century car on 17th-century street, Colonia. Not the rustiest road-going car I saw …
At Carrasco airport, the taxi fleet is dominated by white C-class Mercedes estates, and the long-distance bus services are frequent and excellent. The transport infrastructure is sound.
Land transport, República Oriental del Uruguay Armada, Colonia
The familiar brands are there.
Champion spark plug, Montevideo
In Punta, playground of the rich, you see plenty of Porsches and the odd Ferrari, while at the other end of the scale, Uruguyan recyclers – recolectores – use a very eco-friendly form of transport.
Recolector, Plaza Zabala, Montevideo
Horse-drawn transport has its enthusiasts and collectors, but most striking is the 3- and 4-wheeled, small-engine transport.
Cart and carriage collection, Finca El Sosiego, site of the Punta Jazz Festival
As elsewhere, quad bikes are basic and economical, adopted and developed enthusiastically. The well-known brands appear here too.
Kawasaki quad, petrol station, Punta
In Colonia hire quads ply the cobbled streets; Dad drives with son up front, while Mum and daughter take the rear-facing seat, enjoying that view. Quads can also be hired at the ferry terminal from Buenos Aires.
Ready to tackle the slopes
Locals clearly find them useful.
Quad in a mild climate, Colonia
None more so than the jobbing builder I encountered. It was hard to believe that this is road-legal, though it reveals the Uruguayan approach to regulation: when he’s stopped by the police the usual reaction is a joking “Get that thing out of the way!”
Kick-start engine, no differential on the axle
It boasts a 1969 100 cc Honda engine, like the Honda Cub step-through bike, and does 38 kilometres per litre, 107 miles per Imperial gallon.
Single windscreen wiper, tiller-style steering
Metal sides, fibreglass roof repaired with gaffer tape, sliding windows, carpeted floor and doors …
Room for all the tools of the trade, including self-made ladder
He has to drive carefully in cross winds, and take corners slowly. Don’t think somehow he’ll be putting in a claim for injury on the job either …
P.S.
Here’s one I saw at a wedding reception.
1949 V8 Cadillac, Montevideo 2014
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