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Forum 18
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Topic starter
06/05/2021 10:07 am
In 1958, Chairman Mao demanded a Chinese built state limousine. The task was given to the aptly named First Auto Works (FAW). The car was based on the first generation Simca Vedette and at least one vehicle was imported for study. The 2 liter four cylinder engine was based on the 1955 Mercedes-Benz M121 and the result was a 70hp gas guzzler. The car was named the Dongfeng or East Wind which are the two characters on the nose and the badging. The fender scripts read "China First Auto Works". About 20 of the CA71 were hand made and on the 2 existing samples you can see the hammer marks on the hand formed bumpers. The tail fins were a nod to American designs at the time and the tail lights symbolized the traditional Chinese lantern and that tradition continued with the Hongqi branded state limos. The fierce gold plated dragon's name is Jinglong or "Golden Dragon".
06/05/2021 3:10 pm
Excellent model of this curious and interesting "great leap forward" for Chinese auto manufacturing.
06/05/2021 9:15 pm
Who made the model? I do not think you included that.
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
Topic starter
07/05/2021 7:00 am
@ed-davis The model was commissioned about 15 years ago by FAW (or SAIC) in two forms: a very expensive 1/18 with an actual gold dragon with a roped in museum display stand supposedly for in-house gifting (although many found their way on eBay). The other (mine) is 1/20 but very similar in detail. The actual vendor(s) were not named. It could have even been a subsidiary. Mine came with a pictorial booklet of the car's history some with photos of Chairman Mao reviewing and even driving the car.
07/05/2021 7:05 am
Thanks for the history lesson as well as the terrific photos.