Jeeps made after the production start of the Beijing BJ212.

It is amazing to see how many small factories and workshops have developed cross-country vehicles in the 1950 and 1960s. I wrote already about them: “Jeeps made before the production of the BJ212.”
But it stopped not after the introduction of the BJ212. That was in 1966, at the beginning of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution.
I will show you here some of the more exotic cross country vehicles made during and just after the Cultural Revolution.

First: in the 1970s when we were confronted with the Beijing BJ212 photos we were sure that the jeeps on the photos were Beijing BJ212’s!
It was Oliver Barnham who helped us out of the dream: many jeeps were Beijing look-a-likes, just copies as the government wanted many local factories to produce the same jeep: in the case when the Russians were coming they couldn’t destroy the jeep production by just destroying the Beijing jeep factory.
I won’t describe all these look-a-likes here, but to give you an idea I will give you some of them: Daqiao DQ212, Fuzhou FZ211, Guangzhou GZ212, Kunming KQ212, Lanzhou LZ210, Lushan LS210, Shancheng SC210, Sichuan SC212, Xiangyang 212.

Here I want to pay attention  to the more  different models.

To start with the second most important jeep of that time, made by the Shanghai Auto Chassis Works in 1968, the Shanghai SH211. This model is different from the BJ212, with flat doors and square shapes. The engine was the 490Q which we also find in the Shanghai SH760 sedan: 2290 cc, 90x90mm, 75hp. Sizes: 3850x1690x1850mm, wheelbase 2270mm.

The second model from the same company, the Shanghai SH211A, -the counterpart of the BJ212-, was often confused with the BJ212. Except for the different front, the car was completely based on the BJ212. Note: reader Jiang Chen wrote us:  the chassis of SH211A is different from BJ212, it has fully independent suspension and 4 wheel disc breaks.

The SH211A-version had the same 2290cc engine as the SH211. Only the wheelbase was a bit longer: 2300mm.

Production statistics show 3.243 jeeps produced between 1969-1977.

Made by the Wuhan No2. Auto Works, also named Wuhan Changjiang Auto Works , the Wuhan WH211 had some minor outside differences. It was very near the BJ212, but had a bigger engine: 2660cc, 92x100mm, 80hp. Sizes 3860x1750x1850mm, wheelbase 2300mm.

Besides the four-door version, there was a two-door version, Wuhan WH211A.

Later Wuhan developed on its own, based on the WH211, the WH213 station car. But that is a story in itself.

The FBJ212, vehicle name unknown, made in Nantong, Jiangsu is an interesting vehicle. According Barnham the car was made of fibreglass.

The official name of the factory according the dataplate is Jiangsu Province Nantong District Maintenance & Repair Factory of the Motor Vehicle Transport Corporation.

Fibreglass, two-wheel drive, Nanjing made NJ70 6-cylinder 3480cc engine, which was also in use in the NJ130 trucks. Sizes 3910x1760x1940mm. Date of production 26 June 1977, vehicle number 77720. Registration 39-70169.

The Fujian Province Fuzhou Motor Vehicle Repair & Manufacturing Factory (short: Fujian Auto Works) replied a letter from mr. Geert de Kleyn (Holland) on Januari 21, 1980. Attached to the letter was a number of photos and technical details including one of the Fujian FJ212. According the letter the production of the car was transferred to another factory. I suppose this was the other factory in Fuzhou, which made the FZ211 jeep.

The Fujian FJ212 was made from 1966-1970. Basically it was 100% Beijing jeep, except for the interesting front.

I already showed you the Guangzhou GZ215 and GZ215A , derivates of the standard Guangzhou GZ212 (Beijing look-a-like). Guangzhou Bus Assembly Works (later Guangzhou Bus Works) made also a very long wheelbase closed 4×2/ 4×4 version of the GZ212. We don’t know its name.

The Guangzhou GZ215 (?) long wheelbase was very popular in those years.

The Liaoning Bus Repair & Assembly Works (Shenyang) showed the Liaoning No.4 in 1970. Liaoning Province numbered the new automobiles at that time with no.1, no.2 etc. Liaoning No.4 is an angular version of the BJ212. Sizes and engine are the same.

Later the car was named Liaoning LN210.

There was also a Liaoning No5. It was made by the Dalian Yuejin Machinery Works, in 1978.  I have only one picture:

Also from the north (Dongbei) is the Changbaishan JL210. Made in 1970, like so many. This car is not connected to the BJ212, it is totaly different. It is made by the Jilin Province Auto Repair & Assembly Works. .

This car is a bit bigger than the others: 4250x1850x1900mm. The engine is a 3250 cc twin! cylinder, type 101-IV. The same factory also developed a JL130 2-ton truck in 1970.

Two jeeps from Jiangxi Province. Both developed in 1970. The Jinggangshan 66 is made by the Jiangxi Tongmuling Auto Works.

Sizes and engine correspond to the BJ212. Note the radiator with 6 slats.

The second car is the Jinggangshan 70, made by the Jiangxi Huangyangjie Auto Works.

This was a totally different and much bigger jeep: 4370x2020x2220mm, wheelbase 2500mm. The engine is a 3650cc twin-cylinder, delivering 70hp.

Of course there are many unsolved mysteries. Here a four-slat jeep, in stead of the BJ212 three-slat jeeps. Who knows more??

Another mystery, the name Beijing on the bonnet. Seen by Barnham, Shanghai 1981.

Who can help me? Looks like a prototype.

Still two more.

Note the vertical radiator slats, 4×2 jeep.

Cross between the BJ212 and BJ210.

And the last one of today, also a small BJ/TJ210 type.

Two years ago I wrote about the Wuqi ZH70. You will find more in the article. Except for the front and front window the ZH70 is similar to the BJ212.

This blue beauty, which has a resemblance to the Wuqi ZH70, is named DX212A, as it is written on the rear. Nothing more is known.

So many things known and so many things unknown. I need your help!!