I guess this was the equivalent of "See the USA in your Chevrolet" during the "Great Leap Forward" era in Mao's Red China.
Here's Chairman Mao in late 1958 looking over China's first People's Car, The CA71 Dong Feng or "East Wind":
It was China's first passenger car, but you could consider this more of a prototype with only 30 hand built examples made. Before that, Chinese factories built trucks based on Soviet designs for the PLA for military and transport duties. It was also called the Golden Dragon for its nifty plates hood ornament that in later model was replaced with a stylized "Hongqi" or "Red Flag". It was powered by a 70 HP 1.9 liter OHV 4 cylinder linked to a 4 speed column shift trans derived from Mercedes mechanicals. It's overall design seemed to have been influenced by the '54 to '57 Simca Vedette. It was built at FAW (First Auto Works) at the request of Mao and the company soon began producing state limousines which was his original wish. Only 2 known examples exist today. The only design cue that was carried on in later limos was the pagoda style tail lamps.
A remarkable replica of this incredibly rare Chinese automobile. Certainly, a well-done scale model to have in one's collection. It must be rather uncommon to see either the 1:1 or the diecast model in someone's possession !
A cool little, albeit simplified, model with some nice touches. I just wish it was in 1/18 scale. Great pics!
@chris There was a 1/18 released at the same time. The base was a miniature roped off display platform and the dragon was gold filled. I was somewhere in the $300 range at a time when the average precision 1/18 diecasts were just under $100. I liked the historical significance of the car... but not that much when I could have bought a couple of Exotos with money left over/

