Earlier this year I took a trip around China to visit friends and of course search for cars. I also visited several Car Museums and collections that I will cover over a series of articles. In today’s article I will cover a semi-private collection in Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province. I have also used the “gallery” feature available to us on this website for the first time so that the scrolling length of the article can be shorter whilst still containing all the photos of the individual cars. Be sure to scroll through the gallery for each car! Let me know what you think of this new feature and whether I should continue using it in future articles! I have covered the Chinese cars first and finished off with the foreign cars.
Shanghai SH760
The Shanghai SH760 was made by Shanghai Auto Works, later renamed Shanghai Auto, today better known as SAIC, the Shanghai Auto Industry Corporation, joint venture partner of General Motors and Volkswagen. The SH760 was made from 1964 to 1974. Power came from a 2.2 liter Jinfeng 685 six-in-line petrol engine with 90 horses and 147nm, which was good enough for a 130km/h top speed. The SH760 was design-wise inspired by the 1958 Mercedes-Benz W128 220SE, but the Chinese designers added some interesting extra’s such as the chrome strip running from the headlight over the front fender to the center of the front door. (credit)
Hongqi CA72
The CA72 was made from 1959 until 1965 when it was replaced by the much better known Hongqi CA770. In 6 years only 198 vehicles were made, making the CA72 one of the rarest Hongqi branded cars. The styling of the CA72 was inspired by American automobiles from the early 1950’s. The CA72 also has real American roots, it is based on a 1950’s Chrysler chassis and powered by a 217hp Chrysler-sourced 5.6 liter V8. The body shell however was entirely designed and produced in China by First Auto Works (FAW), the owner of the Hongqi brand. (source)
Hongqi CA770 (1966)
The Hongqi (Red Flag) CA770 was a giant sedan made exclusively for the Chinese government, only 847 cars were produced in its long life from 1966 until 1981. The Hongqi CA770 was based on a new platform, the body work however was designed in China by First Auto Works, or FAW, the owner of the Hongqi brand. The design sought to combine ‘modern’ elements with traditional Chinese elements. For modernity FAW looked to the United States. Loads of chrome up front, very square greenhouse, and small tail-fins at the back. The Chinese elements come back in the grille which was shaped as a Chinese fan and the rear lamps which were shaped like Chinese lanterns. Power came from a 5.65 liter V8 that was related to the Russian ZIL 111 and Tschaika (GAZ) M13 engines.
However, this particular CA770 did not have a V8. It had a 4 cylinder turbodiesel! AND a manual transmission! You see back when this car was new(ish) petrol was scarce and a big, gas guzzling limousine was not the easiest thing to keep running. Therefore, much like in Cuba, big cars had their engines swapped out for smaller, more fuel efficient petrol and diesel engines. Keep an eye out for a Plymouth Belvedere later on in this article with a very interesting engine swap! Not diesel in a Hongqi interesting, but curious none the less.
Hongqi CA771
The CA771 is the shortest CA77x series Hongqi ever made and was only produced between 1967 and 1971 with 129 being produced. The CA771 was intended for provincial military leaders who were not worthy of the bigger CA770 but also not so low ranked that they had to make do with a BJ212. The bodywork was designed in China by First Auto Works (FAW), the owner of the Hongqi brand. The Ca770 and CA771 share the same Russian-derived 5.6 liter V8 with 215hp. (source)
This particular CA771 was still legally allowed to drive on the roads until 2 or 3 years ago when stricter emissions regulations in Shandong province meant it no longer could.
Hongqi CA773 (1978)
The Hongqi CA773 was a slightly shortened version of the CA770 (shortened by 40 centimeters) and was made from 1969 until 1976, in seven years 291 cars were produced and for Hongqi that is mass production. The CA770 in turn was based on the 1950′s Chrysler CA 70 for which First Auto Works (FAW) obtained the rights in the early 1960’s, FAW is the owner of the Hongqi brand. The engine for the CA770 and CA773 came from the Russian derived V8 as well, a mighty 5.6 liter V8 with 215hp. (source)
In the case of this car the former owners had done something rather ingenious. They had lifted the body of this CA773 completely off the chassis and placed it on the chassis and running gear of a Lincoln Town Car! That way they got the classic styling of the Hongqi with the modern driveability and reliability of the Lincoln! Truly inspired thinking.
Hongqi (likely CA770)
There was a Hongqi sitting under a cover outside, likely a CA770.
Hongqi CA7460 x 2
The CA7460 was based on the Lincoln Town Car. Kits were shipped from Ford in the US to Changchun where they were built up and new front and rear fascias added. The engine for the CA7460 was the Ford Modular V8.
Now for the foreign cars!
Austin Sheerline
Buick Special
Dodge D11 Luxury Liner Sedan
Dodge Power Wagon
Ford Model T Pickup
Franklin
GAZ-21
Imperial
Jaguar XJ Series II
Maxwell
Packard Super Eight
Plymouth Belvedere
This particular Belvedere had had its original engine swapped out for a Toyota M Engine. I suspect this was more to do with the original engine being difficult to obtain parts for whereas Toyotas were very common in China in the 1970’s and 1980’s. In fact I got confirmation that this particular Belvedere has been in China pretty much since it was new! The engine swap just further proves this.
Pontiac Torpedo
Rolls Royce Silver Wraith II
Toyota Crown (fourth generation)
The fourth generation Toyota Crown used to be a very common sight on Chinese roads.
M151A2
Volkswagen Beetle
Wooden Chariot
And so this ends my coverage of this collection in Jinan. In future articles we will cover various other museums around China so stay tuned!
Thanks for another great article, Sam. I look forward to seeing this wide assortment of cars in person sometime. I like the Gallery feature. The extra tidbits of information that you share really helps tell each car’s story.
Magnificent. I wonder what the story behind all these Western cars was… they must have been quite the sight in 60s and 70s China!
Hello Sam! I recently came across your article and noticed that some of the cars mentioned in your article are very similar to those in our school’s museum. I would like to visit the museum and take a look. Do you remember the specific location of the museum in Jinan? Thanks a lot! Also, you are welcome to visit our automotive museum. The location is in Changqing District, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan City.
wow! does the car museum include very rare automobile?