The article says it has an 83 CI engine. Perhaps this was a rice burner.
If it was in Havana, it might have the ubiquitous Chinese four cylinder diesel that the Cubans have ingeniously mated to old American cars’ drivetrains. The motors are relatively quiet and have enough torque to push the 50’s lead sleds around the island in dignified, if leisurely, manner.
383 Cubic inch