After my article about the Whale JZK1010S last week, we received a lot of comments. (Super! Continue sending!) Some were about the different versions of the Changjian sedan made in Meng county, Henan province.
Changjian JZK6420, photo copyright Erik van Ingen Schenau, Xi’an 1991. Registration Shaanxi 01 T3177.
One of the most desirable cars is the Rolls-Royce. It is not strange that over the years many copies, look-a-likes, or Rolls-Royce-inspired cars, appeared in China.
Geely GE, Shanghai Auto Show April 2009.
At the Shanghai Show of 2009, Geely introduced a whole range of concept cars, small and big. They were designed by Nova Design of Taiwan.
At the end of the 1990’s it was clear that the Chinese state limousine, the Hongqi CA770, designed in 1965, was old fashioned and needed replacement. A last revival was the Jiang Zemin version of 1999, called the “9910 Model”. In fact, five old CA772 armoured cars were rebuilt to make a last appearance during the celebrations of the 50 years existence of the People’s Republic.
Time for new blood.
FAW Hongqi HQD, design Chang Bing, 2004.
This is a drawing of the Hongqi HQD concept. The drawing is made by the designer Chang Bing.
By scrolling the internet I always hope to show you more about the past of the Chinese auto industry. Now and then with success. In April this year I found some photos for sale on the always interesting website Kongfz, where you sell your second hand books and photos. These photos show an auto show in Beijing in 1988.
Jiangbei JJ720 and Qinchuan SX720, Beijing Auto Show 1988. Photo Kongfz.
Production of the Daihatsu Charade in Japan started in 1977. In 1983 a second generation was launched, which was replaced in 1987. The third generation Charade was also made in China as the very popular Tianjin Xiali TJ730.
Tianjin-Dafa (Daihatsu) Charade CX (2nd gen.), assembled in Tianjin, 1986.
But before the third gen., the Tianjin Automobile Industry Corporation assembled 3000 units of the second generation in 1986-1987.
At the Guangzhou Fair, outside, there was always a small auto exhibition. Here you could see some small makes, which were not exposing at the Beijing or Shanghai Auto Show. Tianqi Meiya was one of them.
Tianqi Meiya T3, drawing at the Guangzhou Spring Fair 2010.