Recently, an iconic piece of automotive history took to the streets of Los Angeles, capturing the attention of car enthusiasts and curious onlookers alike—both Chinese and American. This reassembled Hongqi car, sleek and all-black, immediately draws comparisons to an American-made Lincoln Town Car. However, it proudly showcases the distinctive “Hongqi” emblem on its front, while its trunk features both the name “Hongqi” and the Chinese characters for “China FAW Group,” evoking a sense of nostalgia among many Chinese immigrants familiar with the brand’s rich heritage.

The car’s owner, Cao Yang, a Chinese student at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, reflects on his intriguing journey to bring this car to life. “I bought the Hongqi sedan in late 2022 during a trip to China,” Cao explains. “It had been sitting idle for years, with expired registration and canceled plates. Exporting it to the U.S. was challenging. Customs required a complete reprocessing of the vehicle.” Ultimately, he opted to ship only the car’s shell, sourcing the internal components from a Lincoln Town Car he purchased in the U.S. After a month of transportation, the car arrived at the Port of Los Angeles in April 2023, and by May, the Hongqi was fully reassembled and ready to cruise the streets of LA. “I had no issues with customs,” he recalled. The total cost of shipping was over $1,000, with nearly $10,000 spent on reassembly.

Describing his creative workaround, Cao remarked, “This is a hybrid car. By bringing back just the outer shell, I avoided the extensive paperwork associated with exporting an entire vehicle.” This innovative fusion of Western and Chinese components revives a spirit reminiscent of the early partnership between the First Automobile Works of China and General Motors in the late 20th century.

Cao’s interest extends beyond aesthetics; he has a profound appreciation for automotive history. He detailed that this specific Hongqi model, produced in 1999 by the First Automobile Works in Changchun, was originally intended for a National Day parade featuring then-General Secretary Jiang Zemin. However, tensions following the U.S. bombing of the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia delayed the collaboration, preventing the Hongqi from ever making it to Tiananmen Square. During its production run from 1998 to 2005, only 200 units were made, primarily for military and government use, with just a few finding their way into private hands.

Cao highlighted the car’s power: “This Hongqi has a V8 engine with a displacement of 4.6 liters, which is quite a leap from the 2.5-liter standard for government vehicles in China during the 1990s.” He explained that higher emissions contributed to its gradual phase-out among official vehicles.

Now in the U.S., the Hongqi stands out as a rare find, often attracting crowds wherever it travels. Many older Chinese immigrants experience a wave of nostalgia upon seeing it, while Americans are intrigued by this unique “Chinese Lincoln.”

Cao shared a lighthearted moment: “Once, I posted a photo online in China, and some netizens were skeptical, criticizing me for bringing a Chinese car to the U.S.” Despite that, he maintains that cars transcend borders. “While America is a major automotive hub, the Hongqi represents a significant historical collaboration between our two countries—a testament to the partnership between socialist and capitalist systems.” He noted that many Americans who encounter the car appreciate its unique backstory and find it fascinating.