In 1987, the Shenzhen sub-factory of First Auto Works (FAW) produced a single right-hand drive Hongqi CA770G called the CA770C. FAW had a desire to enter markets outside China and the CA770C was created to explore the possibilities of export to right-hand drive markets including neighbouring Hong Kong.
To recap, the CA770G was produced from 1985 to 1988 and only 25 units were ever made. It was an updated version of the original CA770 that was produced up until 1981. Externally the only difference was the use of rectangular fog lights and rectangular chrome mirrors (which the CA770C did not have). Under the bonnet there was a 5.7 liter Ford V8 in place of the Russian derived 5.65 liter V8 of all the other CA770 variants.
The interior was also modernised with conventional round dials in place of the horizontal instrument cluster of older CA770’s. The CA770C got the same interior treatment. Funnily enough, the CA770G was in some ways a precursor to a future Hongqi product – the Lincoln Town Car based CA7460. This is because the entire instrument cluster and steering wheel for the CA770G and CA770C came straight out of the first generation Lincoln Town Car. Were Hongqi and Ford testing the waters to start their relationship? In the case of the CA770C, it borrowed its interior from a 1987 Town Car.
The CA770G/C used the exact same steering wheel, complete with cruise control control mounted on the lower two spokes of the steering wheel, the column mounted gear selector on the right-hand side of the steering column, the two stalks on the left-hand side of the column, the instrument cluster and information panel to the left of the instrument cluster where 9 warning lights are placed.
The interior of the CA770C was finished in a beautiful looking material with a floral pattern. The second row appears to have consisted of only a single jump seat.
Like the CA770G, the CA770C was one of the first Hongqis to come equipped with power windows
The CA770C also came equipped with a car phone from an unidentified brand (help).
We can’t say for sure but it seems likely that a CA770G was sent to Shenzhen for conversion to right-hand drive by the Shenzhen sub-factory or that a CA770G was sent to Shenzhen in kit form for assembly. The CA770C has the hallmarks of a conversion given the fact that the column shift gear selector is not in the conventional position for right-hand drive cars (normally it is on the left-hand side of the steering column). The weird thing about the CA770C is that it was registered in Beijing and not in Shenzhen. Ah the good times when right-hand drive cars roamed free on China’s roads.
To distinguish the CA770C from other CA770G’s (besides the obviousness of right-hand drive), Hongqi gave the car its own unique red flag emblem for the front fenders. Instead of the three flags seen on other Hongqis of the same period, the CA770C got a single red flag with “Shenzhen” engraved underneath.
Remarkably the CA770C still exists! Here it is in 2016 (seems to be in Beijing). Unfortunately it is in rather a sorry state. Here are some more photos:
The rear.
The interior.
The information panel with various warning lights taken straight from the Town Car.
Under the bonnet of the CA770C in 2016. It is most certainly a Ford engine given that the stickers on the rocker covers give information in english. It looks most like a Windsor V8 of the period.
In 2016 the CA770C was wearing “Heping” (Peace) brand Chinese made tyres. There is a strong possibility that they are the original tyres from 1987.
The CA770C isn’t the only right-hand drive Hongqi in existence, though it is the only one that was ever produced originally in right-hand drive by FAW. In Hong Kong there is a 1974 CA770 that was restored and converted to right-hand drive (we have proof) in 2007 by its owner Mr. York Wong and subsequently registered in Hong Kong with the registration “RED FLAG”. This car is CA770 number 0332 and was produced in April 1974.
The phone was by motorola made for Hong Kong Telephone (later Hong Kong Telecom)