WANTED: photos of the 1959 Jinggangshan.

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What you see above is no photo but a superb artistic interpretation by Ivan Kolev. This based on only two not very brilliant photos. No other materials are known. And of the car not one survived as far as we know. Erik van Ingen Schenau of the China Motor Vehicle Documentation Centre is asking you to look out for photos of this superrare non survivor.

The history in short: Beijing Auto Works started a project in 1958 to build small family cars. The first prototype was ready in June 1958. A two door car based on the VW chassis and engine yet with a more modern coachwork. Mao had a look but thought the car too small. This prototype survived and there are many photo known from the past and recent years. Erik found back the car somewhere deep in a chinese factory.

Not very well known is the evolution of that model as shown above. In October '58 three were shown during the first of October parade. Plans were to build 10,000 a year, especially for use as taxi in big cities. The palns failed due to economic mishap and the last cars were taken of the road in 1968  due to lack of spares. From 1958-1961 only 154 were built. So far Erik only found three photos, but he suspects that more photos should re appear now that more and more material from China emerges. If you know anything please contact Erik through chinesecars.net

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