Month: July 2024

Jinggangshan and Dongfeng. Which one where?

The Jinggangshan (the two-door prototype) from Beijing and the Dongfeng CA71 from FAW (First Auto Works) were made in 1958. Both prototypes are still existing.

The original Dongfeng CA71 at the Museum of the Communist Party, Beijing. Photo Erik van Ingen Schenau.

This is the car which is generally regarded as the first Dongfeng CA71, and by official sources, also the first Chinese car.
Before, the car was stored in the FAW Warehouse, later the car was exhibited in the FAW Cultural Pavilion. Now you can find the car at the Museum of the Communist Party.

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Frazar and Company in Tianjin.

I spent a lot of attention to the coach builders in the 1920s in Shanghai, the most important one of them and their motor show in 1921.
Though Shanghai was the most important of the cities in that era, there was also automotive activity in cities like Beijing and Tianjin. This time more about the Frazar company from Tianjin, it was reader Kate who told us that her grandfather worked there. A good reason to do some research.

Dodge car imported by the Frazar company.

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