hong qi

i'm not knowledgeable about cars. except for the one month i plunged deep into the particulars of the automobile market, eventually selecting my toyota yaris, the most i can tell you about any random car i see is its color. i'd be a useless eyewitness at, say, a hit-and-run.

but sometimes specific objects impress and intimidate you by their mere presence.

hong qi (red flag) vehicles began production in 1958 and seem to be the top limousines that one would use in china -- politicians and dignitaries were probably very proud to ride in these, and the manufacturers, probably very proud to supply them.



click to slideshow on flickr

this car has been parked right outside for many days now -- perhaps it's too long to get it into the garage. it's drive-able -- the tires are fine and the clock is working, but i suspect someone has obtained it with the intention of restoring it to its past glory. it's dusty, with old curtains on the windows, and even a picture of chairman mao hanging from the mirror. it spurs the imagination as to what it's witnessed. it's worth taking a snapshot -- or 20 -- of it now, before restoration. the after is predictable but right now it's... interesting.