[refurb]

Is it plausible that Cubans would really be driving oldsmobiles if they had access to European or Asian cars?

It sounds like the restrictions on cars comes from the Cuban gov't, not the embargo.

Until a few weeks ago, there was no way to legally transfer ownership of a vehicle like this. The only cars that could be freely bought and sold were those built before 1959, when Fidel Castro came to power. That's why there are still nearly 60,000 classic cars on Cuba's streets, but few late-model Hondas. Bringing in a new car requires special government permission and a 100 percent import tax...[1]

[1]http://www.npr.org/2011/10/31/141858419/in-cuba-a-used-car-i...