President Obama's controversial steps toward normalizing relations with Cuba mark a new, uncertain chapter for the United States and the Castro regime.
But perhaps restoring diplomatic relations, some trade and most travel between the countries will bring the Cuban people out of the time warp that is illustrated by the vintage American cars still driving on Cuba's roads.
"Cuba is one of those markets that stood still in time," said AutoTrader.com analyst Michelle Krebs.
Cuba has a population of more than 11 million, with only a small number of households that can own a vehicle due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Some 60,000 vintage vehicles are on Cuban roads after the revolution in 1959 ceased importations for American cars.
A limited supply of replacement parts has made it difficult to keep even those vehicles running.
"Most of the older cars will have one windshield wiper, because that's all they can find," veteran auto journalist Brenda Priddy, who has visited the country twice, told CBS Detroit. "That's all they can afford. Many people don't drive their cars at night, because they don't have headlamps, they don't have the bulbs."
The average Cuban salary is around $20 a month, and the country is unlikely to become a market for new American vehicles in the near future.
But at least Cubans who are driving cars that date back to the 1950s may find more success getting replacement auto parts from the U.S. Under the current restrictions, parts can only be delivered by family members, which are sometimes real and sometimes couriers posing as family.
"When you're at the airport, you'll see people going to Cuba to visit their family, and their luggage may consist of four or five tires," Priddy said.
This week's decision has expanded trade between the U.S. and Cuba, but completely ceasing trade embargo will require congressional action. New vehicles were not specifically listed in Wednesday's expansion of U.S. commercial sales and exports to Cuba.
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