About China's Coolest Cars
Three generations Buick GL8 MPV in one shot, seen the Second Ring Road in Beijing. From left to right: third generation, second, and first.
The Buick GL8 is one of the greatest successes for General Motors in China. It was launched in 1999, made in China by the Shanghai-GM joint venture, known today as SAIC GM.
Continue reading “Three Generations Buick GL8 In One Frame In China”
A flashy Suzuki Alto Happy Prince, seen in central Beijing in 2003. The good Suzuki was slightly modified with a new bonnet, red painted wheels, red mirrors, red light units, a new grille, fake shark fin antennas on the roof, and most of all a load of stickers.
Continue reading “Suzuki Alto Happy Prince Is Slightly Modified In China”
Back in the great days of 2009 there were regular tuning and dealer shows in the Agricultural Exhibition Center in Beijing. Naturally, I went to each and every one of them. These shows had a very local character and were great fun. These days the Agricultural isn’t used anymore for such low-key events and tuning shows have mostly moved to locations out of town. No matter! Things change. On the first photo a bizarre Spider Man-themed machine, with enclosed wheel arches and a very impressive paint job.
Continue reading “Visiting A Tuning Show In Beijing In 2009”
A dark blue Volvo 850, seen in the 798 art district in Beijing. The good Volvo was still used as a daily driver and that is always a great thing. It was in a reasonable shape but in dire need of some love and maintenance. The Volvo 850 was manufactured from 1991 until 1997 with a facelift in 1994. Our blue Swede is a facelifted example, with the new grille, bumpers, and alloys.
A poop brown Smart ForTwo, seen in Beijing in 2015. The good Smart was fitted with all-black mirror housings, the typical old-school antenna, and ultra cool Hello Kitty seat covers.
Continue reading “Smart ForTwo has Hello Kitty Inside In China”
A Beijing-Jeep Grand Cherokee, seen on the road in Beijing in 2017. The big Jeep was dusty but otherwise in a good shape, and its best part was, without a doubt, the rare white 京·A MWZ-001 license plate.
Continue reading “Beijing-Jeep Grand Cherokee BJ2021G With White License Plates In Beijing”
A red Volkswagen Polo sedan, seen parked at a charging station in Beijing in 2017. Well, Volkswagen still doesn’t make an electric Polo even today, so we can be sure our red car is in the wrong lot. Happily, it was in a reasonable shape for its years. Paint was fading a bit, some damage here and there, and the original wheel covers were gone. But that’s okay, as black steelies always look great on red cars.
Continue reading “Mk4 Volkswagen Polo Is A Rare Sedan In China”
A very nice Saab 9-3 2.0T Vector, seen in the beach city of Beidaihe in 2017. The good Saab was in a fine shape, painted in a classy shade of silver, with darkened windows and the 5-twin-spoke alloys that were exclusive for the Vector trim level.
Continue reading “Saab 9-3 2.0T Vector Is A Rare Swedish Sports Sedan In China”
This little pretty brown car is a real Jonway UFO, seen in Beijing in 2017. And that was very special. These never sold in big numbers in the Chinese capital, and lots of them have since been scrapped. Happily, this example was in a very fine shape, albeit covered with dust and some dirt. Continue reading “Jonway UFO FD6392C Is Not A Toyota In China”
A Chery Riich M1 hatchback, seen in Beijing in 2015. The M1 was painted in a classy shade of dark red and fitted with steel wheels, which is always cool. The Riich M1 seemed to be in a fine shape. Front design still looks kinda crazy after all those years, with the gigantic headlights flaking a tiny grille.
Continue reading “The Riich M1 Was A Cool But Expensive City Car From China”