Red Flag Car - The Real Thing

by Bertel Schmitt

August 8th, 2010 3:23 PM

When we reported that FAW will revive the monstrous Red Flag CA7600L limousine, it received mixed reviews. Some wanted it sight unseen. Others puked in the corner. Ever since I arrived in China, my secret wish had been to own the real thing, the huge handmade Red Flag car that luminaries used to drive down Chang’an Avenue. I had been told they don’t exist anymore. I had been lied to.

My Dutch Beijing blogging buddy The Tycho found an original Hongqi (Red Flag) CA770 at a Beijing auto show. 1978 vintage, V8 engine. It is undergoing restoration and is absolutely roadworthy, the seller swears.

Prices for good examples are more than $100.000. My Chinese right hand woman recommends against it. She says it “sends the wrong message.” Whatever that may be. And I should buy BMW or Benz instead.

#BertelSchmitt #CA770 #CA7600L #China #FAW #RedFlag

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 20 comments

Neb on Aug 09, 2010

This is a definite car nut moment. On the one hand, it makes no sense. On the other hand, I understand totally and would get one too if I could. That said, I think at some point Car and Driver road tested the Zil and the Red flag. Maybe Ronnie can help you out with this, but I think they described them as the worst cars ever made.

Like Reply
George70steven on Nov 24, 2010

If you go for one, an interior redecoration is a must. The old communist party leaders or something the chinese want to forget. online car insurance quotes

Like Reply

Recent Comments

Ollicat I have a Spyder. The belt will last for many years or 60,000-80,000 miles. Not really a worry.
Redapple2 Cadillac and racing. Boy those 2 go together dont they? What a joke. Up there with opening a coffee shop in NYC. EvilGM be clowning. Again.
Jbltg Rear bench seat does not match the front buckets. What's up?
Theflyersfan The two Louisville truck plants are still operating, but not sure for how much longer. I have a couple of friends who work at a manufacturing company in town that makes cooling systems for the trucks built here. And they are on pins and needles wondering if or when they get the call to not go back to work because there are no trucks being made. That's what drives me up the wall with these strikes. The auto workers still get a minimum amount of pay even while striking, but the massive support staff that builds components, staffs temp workers, runs the logistics, etc, ends up with nothing except the bare hope that the state's crippled unemployment system can help them keep afloat. In a city where shipping (UPS central hub and they almost went on strike on August 1) and heavy manufacturing (GE Appliance Park and the Ford plants) keeps tens of thousands of people employed, plus the support companies, any prolonged shutdown is a total disaster for the city as well. UAW members - you're not getting a 38% raise right away. That just doesn't happen. Start a little lower and end this. And then you can fight the good fight against the corner office staff who make millions for being in meetings all day.
Dusterdude The "fire them all" is looking a little less unreasonable the longer the union sticks to the totally ridiculous demands ( or maybe the members should fire theit leadership ! )