Sorry that this topic is old. but here are more information

In 80s, the government mostly were controlling most of the trade. they made deals to import American car, and that Passat from Brazil in large numbers, also known in Iraq as "Brazili" for Brazilian. this was very popular. the government also granted some of those models especially the Passat as compensation to families of those killed in war, and as gift for those served in war. There were also government sponsored list to give free cars to people. I remember my father registered but he never got one.

Celebrity started to appear in the end of 1989 and 90 also in large numbers. in 1991, there were cars stolen from Kuwait, but those didn't make much difference in the streets of Iraq unlike previous comment.

In 90s, most cars deteriorated and stayed almost same. but in end of 90s, the government imported from South Korea KIAs in huge numbers, that's why you see a lot of KIAs. the mini-buses mostly sold in regular prices in market, some mini-suvs grants to government managers. There were little cars coming from abroad by private owners during that period.

After 2003, immediately after the invasion. people started to import second hand cars, mostly through UAE to Kuwait then to Iraq. Opel immediately entered after 2003, even in right hand wheel which supposedly illegal in Iraq, but with no traffic law enforcement, those cars with right hand steering wheel were driving in the street en masses. Streets became overcrowded.

I know friends that were working on importing cars from Kuwait, until later they were ambushed by armed gangs. Some passed away as result .

During that time already car shops started to modify steering wheel to the left.

But American cars have been always in Iraq and well known, but along with German, Japanese and Russian cars. Many Iraqis love their American cars. I even saw on news hummers dealership .

Yes it is.

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/15011035.jpg

Chevrolet Celebrity here?

That's a 1957 Chevrolet

I don't think so. It looks like something American from around 1958-60, but I cannot recognize a Checker.

The Brazilian Passat's were for a long time the most popular cars in the Iraq indeed. Brazil was the only country, who had bee in a bigger business with the Saddam Hussein-government during the sanctions-times.
O.k., bigger official business. The import of Mercedes Benz-cars was running, too (but it was not made public). The "top 10 000" of the Iraq hadn't to drive these Brazil-Passats.

On the other hand: the Iraq was nearly the only country, who has bought that cars. The orgin German 1973+ Passat/Dasher wasn't a bad car (for many years the third most sold car in Germany), but the Brazilian made ones were in horribly quality and too old in the 80ies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQcOgL4bNms

Poor quality video, but is that a Checker Cab I see at around 40 seconds?

Tonight I saw a report about Sadr City in Baghdad on Channel 4 (larger video here) and noticed quite a few Kia Besta minibuses and chassis-cabs, along with various Korean cars.

At 1:07 there's an old clip of militiamen with a car the reporter identifies as an Opel, but I think it's actually a Daewoo Nexia/Cielo (compare the tail lights).

At 1:30 there's a yellow Volga with an Iraqi number plate stuck over what I think is a Russian taxi plate.

I also noticed a couple of 'Brazili' Volkswagen Passats.

Also worth noting are the Chevrolet ambulances, which are perhaps part of US reconstruction aid. Older ambulances in Iraq are Mercedes-Benz Sprinters and Sevel vans (Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer or Citroen Jumper - I'm not sure which).

My car and my sister Yasmine

I've read in the newspaper, that the Opel Vectra (imported as used cars from Europe) is so popular for suicide-bombers, that the soldiers were getting suspicious, when they see one.

Terrorist-groups are preferring Opel Omega's.