This is one of my first real automotive spots in China: a beautiful blue Jiefang CA1o water-spraying truck. I saw it at the old Worker’s Stadium in Beijing in the summer of 2003. I arrived in China in the spring, found myself an apartment, and from then on, I was outside for 90% of my time, discovering cool stuff.
On a five-minute bike ride of my home was the Workers’ Stadium, commonly known as “Gongti” (工体). In the early 2000s, the stadium was home to a local football club, and within the stadium’s area were a lot of night clubs, most famously the MIX and the VICS. I have spent many nights there, usually until around 5 in the morning, going home with many new experiences and without much of a memory.
The original Workers’ Stadium was built in 1959, with many updates in between. Around the stadium was a park, with beautiful old trees and odd statues. In the photo is a discus thrower, marble, about 3 meters tall. The Worker’s Stadium was demolished in 2020. A completely new Workers’s Stadium was opened in 2023.
The term ‘water truck’ may be a tad confusing. Water trucks in Beijing didn’t deliver water. Their main job was to cool down the asphalt in super hot summers. By 2003, the temperature in summer could rise to 38 degrees Celsius, and one could see smoke going up over asphalted roads. There was barely any rainfall except for an accidental shower in the late afternoon.
The asphalt quality has improved significantly since then, reducing the need for water-spraying trucks. Climate change helped too, summers in Beijing are much wetter now, with way more rainfall.
Jiefang, (解放, Liberation) is a commercial vehicle brand under First Auto Works (FAW). The Jiefang CA10 was the company’s first truck, production started in 1956 and continued until 1986.
A perfectly round 3-spoke steering wheel with a thin rim.
The Jiefang CA10 was developed with the assistance of the Soviet Union. It was based on the Soviet ZIS-150, which itself was based on the American International KR-11. This truck was supplied in great numbers to the Soviet Union during WOII under the Land-Lease agreements. A 5.6-liter six-in-line diesel engine, good for 90hp, powers the CA10.
The main sprayer unit was located behind the cabin. It was operated by one man, seated on the bench next to the tank.
It seemed ready for the museum, but at the time this great truck was still used by the local water department. It was in fine shape, a bit rusty, but otherwise all right.
The truck and water tank were painted in white and blue, refreshing colors It was 21 years ago that I took the photos. I remember seeing it around the stadium a few times more, and suddenly it was gone. Where can it be now? Most Chinese car museums have at least one Jiefang CA10 on display, but those are mainly military flatbed variants. I have never seen a water truck in a museum. So it didn’t go there. Perhaps it still stands somewhere behind an old government office, hidden by bushes and plants, waiting to be discovered once more.