Author: Chairman MacPherson

Audi A6 With White License Plates In China

A black Audi A6 sedan with white license plates, seen in Beijing in 2015. The big Audi was in a fine shape with darkened windows and the original allow wheels, which looked nice and shiny for their age.

White license plates for passenger cars were only issued in 2002 and 2003 in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen. It was an experiment were citizens were allowed to come up with their own alphabetical/numerical combinations.

The experiment was cancelled after citizens came up with far too much creativity, choosing for various combinations with ‘sex’, ‘CIA’, ‘FBI’, and the infamous USA-911 which appeared on a Beijing car not long after the September 11 attacks. After the ensuing uproar the experiment was killed off but owners were allowed to keep the non-offensive plates.

The second generation Audi A6 (C5/Type 4B) was made in China by FAW-Volkswagen in Changchun. Production started in 2004. Wheelbase was extended by 9 centimeters to 2850 for more space in the back. It was available with three engines: a 150 hp 1.8 turbo, a 170 hp 2.4 V6, and a 190 hp 2.8 V6. Prices started at 348.500 yuan. White plates are priceless.

Toyota Corolla Sedan Of The Bulgarian Embassy In China

An E100 Toyota Corolla sedan with diplomatic license plates, seen on a small car repair market in north Beijing in 2015. The good Toyota was in a pretty bad shape and appeared to be abandoned.

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Mercedes-Maybach S400 4Matic Was Only For China

Here we have a majestic Mercedes-Maybach S400 4Matic, seen in the far north of Beijing in early 2016. The big Benz’ was a bit dusty but seemed fairly new, painted in a sombre black with the almost-sporty gray multispoke wheels.

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W124 Mercedes-Benz 280E With Black Plates Needs A Cleanup In China

An early W124 Mercedes-Benz 280E with black license plates, seen at a small car repair area in north Beijing in 2016, not far from where I found a Volvo 960 sedan. The good Mercedes was in dire need of a good cleanup bit in a great overall shape, fitted with the ultra cool wheel covers that were especially designed for the W124.

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Beijing-Jeep Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 3.0L Is A Classy Chinese-Japanse 4×4 SUV

A very cool Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 3.0L, seen in the Chinese capital Beijing in 2016. The Pajero Sport was in great shape, painted in a dark shade of green, with gray bumpers and wheel arches, and with the original alloy wheels.

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Jaguar S-Type 3.0 Sedan Is A Stately British Sedan In China

A Jaguar S-Type 3.0 sedan, seen in the far far east of Beijing in the spring of 2016, on a slightly polluted bit otherwise fine day. The Jag’ looked fantastic, painted in a dark green shade and fitted with the standard sporty five spoke alloys. When I looked at the vehicle I immediately noticed the enormous mirrors, and now, more than five years later, the mirrors catch my eye again. They are enormous indeed.

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Yema F99 Is A Special Chinese-British Crossover Wagon

A classy Yema F99, seen in Beijing back in 2016. The Yema was in fine shape, painted in black with the factory wheel covers. License plates are from Hebei Province. The Yema F99 was a wagon-like crossover manufactured from 2009 until 2012.

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Subaru Impreza GL Is A Basic Japanese Sedan In China

A wondrous white Subaru Impreza sedan, seen at a parking lot at the Goldenport race track in northeast Beijing in the early spring of 2016. The Subaru was covered in dust and missed 3 of its wheel covers, but overall it was in a reasonable shape.

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