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.
Everett W. Frazar (1834-1901) started in the 19th century the “E.W. Frazar and Company”, and the “Frazar Federal Inc., USA” which were established in China in Tianjin.
The Chinese name is Tianjin Gongmao Yanghang (天津公懋洋行) . Frazar was a trade company in Japan, Manchuria and China. General headquarters were in New York, Asian headquarters in Yokohama.
Frazar must not be confused with Fraser Motors in Shanghai or the American car company Kaiser-Frazer.
Frazar went into car business in 1915 and imported Dodge, Chrysler, De Soto, Franklin and Chalmer cars into China; and Denby and Bethlehem trucks.
Frazar was not only a car dealer, they also had a car refit department. In Tianjin, some warlords were customers, and they ordered armoured cars. Frazar built them.
In 1936, Frazar built, with backing from Chrysler, an assembly line for 1 1/4 ton Dodge trucks with dual tyres. The trucks were shipped ckd (knocked down) in crates.
Frazar was also more than that, they also were the ‘Michelin Maps’ of China: they made road mapping booklets when there was nothing of this kind. These booklets were a great hit with the motorists of that time.
Frazar organized regular trips from Tianjin to Beijing. Mrs. Spielman was the first woman driving the road in 1921. She made the trip in 5 1/2 hours.
Frazar published a regular periodical, the “Frazar Graphic”.
I am looking for some copies. When you have one, send me scans or photo copies!
From 1930s-1951, Robert Ezra McCann worked as a salesman for Frazar. He became president of the Frazar Federal Inc., USA, in 1947.
Bob McCann was born in Chefoo (Yantai), Shandong province as child of protestant missionaries. He was raised in China, studied in the US and worked for Frazar Federal Inc. since 1924, first as a salesman, in 1947 he became Frazar chairman and general manager. He lived in Tianjin.
During the Japanese occupation he was interned by Japan in 1941-1943. In 1943 he repatriated to the US, as a result of an exchange between Japanese and American prisoners. In 1946 he returned to Tianjin, and resumed his job at Frazar. In 1951 he was arrested by the government of the People’s Republic of China and accused of espionage for the USA. In 1955 he was sentenced to 15 years. In 1961 his wife petitioned his release, he had lung cancer. He was released and died a month later at the Philippines, en route to the USA.
During my research I read an article on the internet that tells us that the Provincial Archive in Tianjin has 47 archives of foreign enterprises and foreign companies, including Gongmao Foreign Company. A reason to be curious. My dear Chinese friend Yunce was willing to bring a first visit. Surprise, as there was no Gongmao file, there were only some Gongmao documents.
Yunce read the most important. Together with Chang Bing and Yunce, I went to visit the Archive on June 5.
A cold shower, as my admission to the Archive was refused.
A complicated procedure that actually leads to it that it needs more days to get admission to the Archive, so in practice ‘no (passing by) foreigners allowed!’
No ‘Laowai’, the guard used this term, which according wikipedia: “the official Chinese press has expressed concern about inappropriate use of Laowai and avoids it in all formal reporting.”
As an alternative we decided to have a look in Tianjin city to find the former Frazar headquarters. The building is still there: it is at the corner of the Jiefang North Road and Changchun Road.
After the Japanese occupation, in 1945, the Republic of China (the Guomindang) returned in Tianjin, and with her the old companies like Frazar. They restarted their activities.
Frazar was nationalized by the People’s Republic of China in 1951, and disappeared.