FAW Hongqi CA72 State Limousine
The Hongqi CA72 holds a unique place in automotive history as the first car designed and manufactured in China. Created during the feverish industrial campaigns of the Great Leap Forward in 1958, the CA72 was a declaration of national sovereignty — proof that the People's Republic could produce a luxury automobile without relying on foreign technology. Chairman Mao Zedong himself took a keen interest in the project, and the first prototype was reportedly completed in just 33 days.
Developed at the First Automobile Works (FAW) in Changchun, the CA72 drew engineering inspiration from the Chrysler Imperial and Lincoln Continental, but its design language was distinctly Chinese. The grille featured a stylized bamboo pattern, the hood ornament was a red flag symbolizing communism, and the overall proportions conveyed a sense of authority befitting a state vehicle. Traditional Chinese fan-shaped taillights and chrysanthemum-motif wheel covers added cultural symbolism to every detail.
The CA72 was powered by a 5,652 cc V8 engine producing 220 horsepower, paired with a 2-speed automatic transmission — a remarkably sophisticated powertrain for a nation that had manufactured its first automobile only two years earlier. The engine was largely reverse-engineered from American designs, and the transmission, named Dongfeng (East Wind), was similarly derived from contemporary Detroit technology.
Only 202 CA72s were produced between 1958 and 1964, each essentially hand-built. The cars were reserved exclusively for senior government officials and visiting heads of state. Every CA72 was tracked by the state, and private ownership was prohibited. During state visits, foreign leaders including Nikita Khrushchev, Ho Chi Minh, and Kim Il-sung were chauffeured in these vehicles.
The interior featured Chinese silk upholstery, lacquered wood trim, and a rear compartment designed for two VIP passengers with a fold-down partition separating them from the driver. Air conditioning, a remarkable luxury for the era in any country, was fitted to most examples.
Today, surviving CA72s are among the rarest and most historically significant cars in existence. Most remain in Chinese government collections or museums, with very few ever appearing on the international market. The CA72 established the Hongqi lineage that continues to this day with the L5, making it the spiritual ancestor of China's state cars.
Virtually impossible to acquire outside China. Any car offered for sale internationally requires extremely careful provenance verification. Check for authenticity as reproductions exist. The V8 engine parts are unique and irreplaceable — engine condition is paramount. Body panels are hand-formed and cannot be reproduced. Any surviving CA72 should be considered a museum piece. Export from China may require special government permission.
Hand-built at First Automobile Works (FAW) in Changchun. First prototype completed in 33 days in 1958. Only 202 units produced total. V8 engine reverse-engineered from American designs. Each car tracked by the state — no private ownership allowed during production. Most surviving examples are in Chinese government collections. Succeeded by the Hongqi CA770 in 1965.