CUBAN MAN WALKS PAST VINTAGE AMERICAN BUILT AUTOMOBILES IN OLD HAVANA, 2002-07-01 (photo)

A Cuban man walks past vintage U.S.-built automobiles in Old Havana July 1, 2002, including post-war versions of a Plymouth (foreground), Chevrolet (C) and a Ford (behind man). In spite of financial difficulties and an economic embargo by Washington, D.C., thousands of American automobiles circulate through Cuban streets every day, with models ranging from the late 1920's to the early 1960's. While many have been converted into taxis, the biggest problem has been the lack of original replacement auto parts; none have entered Cuba in the past 40 years since the U.S. embargo has been in place. Estimates place the number of vintage american cars on the island at 60,000. REUTERS/Rafael Perez RP/GN