Classic American cars from the 1950s are a common sight in Cuba, where sales of newer vehicles from the U.S. have been blocked by an embargo for decades.

Before then, only cars that were in Cuba before the 1959 revolution could be freely bought and sold, which is why there are so many U.S.-made, vintage 1950s cars on the streets.

Modern cars are made to last three or four years, these were made for 50, 60," said Argelio Hernandez, tapping the bumper of his blue 1952 Ford taxi in Havana's old quarter.