The Taishan Classic Car Museum is the second museum owned by Zhang Yonglong, the other being the Weifang Generations Classic Car Museum that I have covered previously. His Taishan Museum is located on the north shore of Tianyi Lake (天颐湖) in the Tianyi Lake Resort Area, about 20km south of Tai’an city. The museum itself is a massive 5-storey building with each floor having a distinct theme. The collection is diverse and contains some vehicles that are very seldom seen in other museums in China. It is definitely worth a visit!
The museum is best found by searching 泰山世界古典汽车博览馆 on Baidu Maps. Food options are available in a connecting building. The museum also houses a theatre and other entertainment facilities such as a 5D cinema. It is also popular with schools arranging field trips for students but don’t worry, on the day I was there a large group of students came in and in the time it took me to admire just 2 or 3 cars they had passed through the entire floor so interruption to your visit will be minimal. In this article I will show you the vehicles present on the first floor.
Dongfeng EQ2082
This beautiful EQ2082 was equipped with 10 canons on the back. To be honest the EQ2082 is still in use in many places around China so isn’t all that rare, though it is rare one to see one in civilian hands.
Hongqi CA72
One of two CA72s owned by Mr. Zhang. The CA72 was only produced from 1959 to 1965 with 198 being produced in that time, making it one of the rarest Hongqis. Power came from a 5.65 liter V8 making around 215hp and the CA72 was in fact based on a Chrysler.
Ford F100
American classic cars are highly sought after by Chinese collectors and classic American pickup trucks like this are also beginning to be imported in ever-increasing numbers. This particular F100 is a late 1950’s second generation example.
Morgan 4/4 (Series 1)
As much as I love a perfectly restored car, there is something about an unrestored car with lots of glorious patina that excites the 12 year old boy inside me. This Morgan 4/4 was just such a car. It is a very early Series 1 car with original license plates (registration now apparently belongs to a BMW) and a sticker from the Morgan Sports Car Club on the windscreen.
Mercedes-Benz Patent Motorwagen
Yes, he also has a second replica of the infamous Benz Patent Motorwagen.
Daimler Motorwagen
And a Daimler Motorwagen.
Ford Model A
Cars like this Ford Model A were once a relatively common sight in China in the first half of the 20th century, especially in larger cities like Shanghai where old photos taken in the 1920’s and 1930’s reveal a wide array of what are now referred to as “vintage cars” being driven. I recall watching a documentary style film taken in Shanghai in the 1970’s and one of the presenters noted the prevalence of cars from the 1940’s still being driven. Of course at that time those cars would only have been 30 to 40 years old as opposed to 80 years old today!
Hongqi CA773
This museum really has got a bit of everything – perfectly restored cars, unrestored cars and this – a Hongqi CA773 as though it is in the process of being restored. The CA773 in case you didn’t know was a slightly shorter variant of the CA770.
Lincoln Continental Mark IV Landau
No you are not seeing double, it may look identical to the one in the Weifang Museum but it is in fact another car. The 3rd generation Continental was produced between 1958 and 1960 and this is specifically a 1959 Mark IV “Landau”. Powering this massive car is an equally massive 7.0 liter V8 making 350hp and hooked up to a 3-speed Turbo-Drive automatic transmission. Mr. Zhang must like his big Lincolns!
Pontiac Torpedo
The Pontiac Torpedo was the largest Pontiac at the time and came highly equipped. This particular car is likely a 1941 example as it lacks running boards. According to the museum it has the larger 4.1 liter straight-8 “Silver Streak” engine making around 100hp. All Torpedos came equipped with a 3-speed manual transmission.
Chrysler Windsor
The Windsor was placed second from bottom in Chrysler’s vehicle lineup (in terms of price) above the entry-level spot occupied by the Chrysler Royal. This particular car is a 1946-1948 example. All Windsors were powered by a 4.1 liter (250ci) straight-six engine making 114hp and came equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission.
Chevrolet Corvette C3
The third generation Corvette was produced between 1968 and 1982 with this particular example being from 1973 or later. The C3 was available with everything from a 5.0 liter V8 “Small-Block” to a massive 7.4 liter V8 “Big-Block”. Transmission options were 3 and 4-speed manuals and automatics depending on engine and model year.
Xinjiang Hongshiyue tractor
Assorted military vehicles
Imperial
As the luxury arm of Chrysler, Imperial was responsible for the largest and most expensive products from the Chrysler group. Imperial cars were sold under this standalone brand between 1955 and 1975, as well as between 1981 and 1983. At other times they were sold as Chrysler Imperials. This particular imperial is a 1958 4-door sedan. The 1958 Imperial is credited as being the first car to be fitted with Cruise Control. There were 3 engine options – 6.4, 6.8 or 7.2 liter V8 engines. Only three-speed automatic transmissions were available.
Be sure to come back later for more on the Taishan Classic Car Museum!
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