This is one of my favorite cars ever: the massive Hongqi Qijian CA7460 sedan, seen here at the Poly Theater in central Beijing. The Hongqi was in super shape, totally clean and largely original.
Hongqi is China’s oldest and most famous car brand. It was founded in 1956, and it is owned by First Auto Works (FAW). Hongqi means Red Flag. Qijian means Flagship.
Flag poles on each side of the bonnet indicate this is a government car. The red ornament on the hood depicts the Red Flag, and the grille is made to look like a traditional Chinese fan.
The CA7460 Qijian series was made from 1998 until 2005. It was based on the third generation Lincoln Town Car.
Under a deal between FAW and Ford, Lincoln would provide near-finished Town Cars to Hongqi. The Chinese would add a new grille, new badges, and of course the hood ornament. They didn’t even bother to change the Ford-branded windows!
Hongqi also developed three limousine versions of the CA7460 Qijian. See this article for a full history of the Lincoln-based Hongqi’s.
The ‘handwritten’ characters write Hongqi. V8 badge on the right. That is the same engine that powered the Town Car: a 4.6 liter V8 with 210hp (158kw) and 392nm. Top speed was 185km/h.
When new in 1998 the CA7460 was priced at 690.000 yuan. That was a lot of money in those days, and sales to the private market were very slow. Most of the CA7460’s were sold to the government.
Today most are gone. The CA7460 isn’t seen as a collectible car because of its too-obvious Lincoln genes, so collectors stay away from them. And that, sadly, means that most of these great cars have been scrapped.
This particular car has red flag ornaments of top of the rear fenders. That is definitely not original, but they look kinda cool.
Yes, it is basically a Lincoln with other badges. But it also is a real Hongqi, and it looks iconic-y cool. So if I were a collector, I would get one before it is too late…
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Towncars of this generation are relatively cheap in Canada. I need to be able to source the HongQi trunk lid and grille, to make a replica of one of these!
[…] produced.Hongqi had another go when Lincoln launched the third-generation Town Car in 1997. The Hongqi CA7460 followed in 1998 and kept the basic looks far more than with the previous attempt. Powered by the […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The City Automobile was constructed from the 1981 by means of 2011 mannequin years, with a whole redesign for 1990 that saved the identical chassis however added a much less angular physique and rear air suspension. In 1998, the City Automobile bought the complete “whale” physique remedy seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and manufacturing of that model continued till the tip. In China, Hongqi constructed a model badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from model years 1981 through 2011, with a complete redesign for 1990 which retained the same chassis but added less angular bodywork and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car received the full «whale» body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis brothers and sisters, and the production of this version continued until the end. In ChinaHongqi built a version bearing the badge CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 to 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 retains the same chassis but adds a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, Town Car received a full body treatment of the “whale” seen on Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis brothers and sisters, and production of that version continue until the end. In ChinaHongqi built a version with the badge of CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] La Town Car a été construite des années modèles 1981 à 2011, avec une refonte complète pour 1990 qui a conservé le même châssis mais a ajouté une carrosserie moins anguleuse et une suspension pneumatique arrière. En 1998, la Town Car a reçu le traitement complet de la carrosserie “baleine” vu sur son Ford Crown Victoria et Mercure Grand Marquis frères et sœurs, et la production de cette version s’est poursuivie jusqu’à la fin. En Chine, Hongqi a construit une version badgée comme le CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was produced with model years ranging from 1981 to 2011. A complete redesign for 1990 which kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car received the full “wheel” body treatment seen on it. Ford Crown Victoria And Mercury Grand Marquis Siblings, and production of this version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi made a version with a badge attached. CA7460 Kejian. […]
[…] Town cars were manufactured from 1981 to 2011 models, Complete redesign of 1990 It kept the same chassis but added a less angled body and rear air suspension.In 1998 the Town Car got the full ‘whale’ body treatment found on its body. ford crown victoria When Marquess of Mercury siblings, and production that version continued until the end.of ChinaHongqi built a version badged as CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 to 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 retains the same chassis but adds a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, Town Car received a full body treatment of the “whale” seen on Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis brothers and sisters, and production of that version continue until the end. In ChinaHongqi built a version with the badge of CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The City Automobile was constructed from the 1981 via 2011 mannequin years, with an entire redesign for 1990 that saved the identical chassis however added a much less angular physique and rear air suspension. In 1998, the City Automobile acquired the total “whale” physique remedy seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and manufacturing of that model continued till the top. In China, Hongqi constructed a model badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 to 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 retains the same chassis but adds a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, Town Car received a full body treatment of the “whale” seen on Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis brothers and sisters, and production of that version continue until the end. In ChinaHongqi built a version with the badge of CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] The Town Car was built from the 1981 through 2011 model years, with a complete redesign for 1990 that kept the same chassis but added a less angular body and rear air suspension. In 1998, the Town Car got the full “whale” body treatment seen on its Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis siblings, and production of that version continued until the end. In China, Hongqi built a version badged as the CA7460 Qijian. […]
[…] car started life as a Lincoln Town Car but is now a Hongqi Qijian (红旗 旗舰) CA 7460. I described what Hongqi cars were about for Jalopnik years ago, when a pair were brought to the […]
[…] car started life as a Lincoln Town Car but is now a Hongqi Qijian (红旗 旗舰) CA 7460. I described what Hongqi cars were about for Jalopnik years ago, when a pair were brought to the […]
[…] a quick update. Look what we saw! A Hongqi CA7460! What are the odds of that? Essentially zero, and yet here we are. We’ll have more on this […]
[…] four vertical bars on each side of the license plate area. There were similar bars on the earlier Lincoln-based Hongqi […]
What is the purpose of the wedge of glowing red plastic boldly mounted on the bonnet?
That’s the Hongqi ‘Red Flag’ hood ornament. No purpose, really, just for looks.