"The starter motor sounds like a Chrysler" His knowledge of cars must take up so much of his memory. Jays gunna go senile one day and just start spouting off engine codes in every conversation
What a cool and uncommon piece of history. That fact that it is even in the US is simply amazing. It just needs a little love and attention and that ol' Ford V8 will be pulling that hulk down the highway again.
@@MimicoBungalowthese are listed as having Chrysler 340’s up to the early 70’s and Ford 351’s after that. I can’t say 100% it’s a ford engine but I can say that’s definitely NOT a Chrysler LA engine of any type, 340 or otherwise. The vertically mounted front distributor means it’s not a Chrysler engine of any type I’ve ever seen. Ford Windsor and late model Ford big blocks are the only engines I know of with that setup.
When I was a kid living in Hefei China, I remembers seeing these in a garage on the way to school. It seemed like they left left the garage or moved around on their own power. Always taken apart.
Eastern Bloc cars are very historic and special. They are getting rare, especially this time capsule. Glad to see someone appreciates this car and takes good care of it.
Eastern bloc cars represent everything that was, or rather still is, wrong with eastern bloc system - promises not backed by the quality of production.
I love the new, slower pace of this and the last episode (1931 Indian Scout). Relaxed and thoughtful. Also, no corporate PR geeks with their boring marketing horseshit. Keep on truckin, Jay!
I don't know, never really liked Jay Leno. But since I've been watching these videos (kind of hooked now), seems like a really good guy. Such passion and knowledge (AND he doesn't play golf, which really helps). Great series of films about such interesting vehicles. Keep up the good work.
Never watched late night comedy myself, but I really like Jay Leno's Garage. He seems like a class act and down to earth, not your typical Hollyweird egomaniac.
I can just imagine a group of engineers staring at the snake nest hydraulics extracted from a 600 Grosse. "Personally, I'm thinking window winders." "They're very reliable you know." "Reliability is important." -> murmers of agreement
Loved when Jay said the premiere would have to roll down the window himself. Dude would have had a harem of women to do that, and much more, for him on command.
Personally I find smaller eastern bloc cars (Trabant, Polski Fiat, FSO, Lada, ZAZ, Skoda, moskvitch etc) more interesting but I suppose they are more well known and there are more existing videos. The most interesting eastern bloc car in my opinion and my favourite other than the Trabant of course but which is much further from being Russian is the LuAZ-969 which is a Ukrainian military off road vehicle that was also mostly sold to civilians. I'm annoyed I did not know about them until recently.
When he said "red wood" I'm sure he meant padauk, mahogany, rosewood and the like, which are all broadly categorised as "red wood" traditionally in China, not the giant sequoia in North Cal.
X. Found the statement that this interior was made of redwood as odd. North American Redwood is pretty soft. Car interiors need to be made of some kind of hardwood to be durable. Redwood of the Northern California variety would get banged up pretty quick.
Hopefully the guys at the shop give this gent a hand in figuring the problem, gotta be heartbreaking for the guy after all the work to be able to get it in.
@@williamkeith8944 Some shops won't work on old cars, but I'm sure he found someone. I had my 1991 pickup in for an inspection a few years back, the mechanic said the high beam switch wasn't working but he passed it anyway. I get in the truck and test the high beams, and show him they worked fine, he was pulling on the turn signal arm, he didn't know the button was on the floor.
@@bigredc222 yeah and some shops pretend to do work if they dont know what theyre doing, i had a wheel alignment done on my 1982 subaru and on the sheet they adjusted the rear camber and toe... I asked how they did it and he said they loosened the bolts on the arms and moved them then did them back up.. I said, erm, its torsion bar suspension in the rear, the arms have no adjustment, the only way you can adjust the toe is to raise or lower the suspension same with the camber, but its still the same height it was before. He went red and said i didnt understand. When i got home i looked through the factory service manual. It states if you have incorrect rear alignment to replace the bent arm... Paid $200 for them to adjust the front toe and then lie about the rest. They didnt even adjust the castor on the front, the radius rod bolts still had mud caked on the bolt heads and thread.
something we will never hear Jay say: "Here we are in the Hongqi section of my garage . . . " I have never seen him so reserved and quiet like he didn't want to make any jokes about it for fear of being called racist, so he just shut down.
A good comedian knows when not to do a cheap joke. The fact that the car broke was funny enough and he took that hilarious nab at communism at the end of the video so it was not like he was censoring himself.
Speaking about the steering: "You see the center of that is a golden flag. It is suppose to be made of pure gold" Jay "I'd rather have power steering instead of pure gold" That was so funny.
Jay seemed a little scruffier than usual. This is one of my favorite channels and I can tell that he was not totally his usual self. Sounds like he might have a slight cold or something.
I love these kinds of videos its so original do authentic shows you some unanticipated accidents or events randomly occur to you while driving a Classic vehicle.
Great episode. I love how keep finding these unusual machines. Well, whether you're finding them or they are finding you, I love the presentation, you get a history.... love it.
I don't see Opel similarity. It has a Volga nose. It has American car proportions. And, finally, we know who designed the Alan Ford cars. Incredible! Magnus, you are magnificent.
It looks like european cars of the era but not like any specific model really. Opel rekord Ford Consul etc but its not like in the 80's when most cars looked like a mk1 golf/scirocco becasue Guigaro/Bertone designed them all.
I find it interesting that these cars are preserved and really appreciate the opportunity to see this vehicle outside of its natural environment. Just like almost any other car that's used mostly for a conversation piece or is used for taking pictures and not as a road car, it's not used to being driven so Jay takes it out and the generator dies and takes the batteries out with it. It's pretty common. I'm sure that Jay would've had his team of guys help him out with it. You don't exactly pop down to your local AutoZone and ask for a generator or alternator for a 1978 Hongqi. Seeing as how it uses American running gear I'm sure they were able to find a replacement for the antiquated charging system. Come on guys, this car is old and it doesn't get driven much, it could've happened to anything that Jay drives.
Boosted B Series EK If Jay has the guys at the shop fix it it's gonna end up with an alternator swapped in. I can see it now. Wilwood disc's. Mini alternator and electric cooling fan....and your classic Hong Qi has now been butchered by American resto-modder.
Go watch Jay's videos on his steam powered cars and rethink your comment. He spent weeks researching and rebuilding from scratch a 100 year old boiler tank out of pure copper for one of the cars. He keeps everything to the T. He doesn't do "dad cars".
Kind of brings back memories of when it was common to need a push out of an intersection every now and then. I had a 63 Nova in high school so I'm quite familiar with the drill
+pfflyers1 My FIAT X19 had to be pushed backwards constantly because I couldn't keep up with repairs. The reverse gear kept going out every 6 months, It _was_ fun to drive forward though! ;O)-
It is a stunning car. Jeremy Clarkson said it best, "This car looks like a baddy, it just looks evil" I absolutely love this car, the grill and details.
That was true for the very first Hong Qi. Yet, through the years, as he said, FAW put whatever engine they could put their hands on. Some Hong Qi even got some Mercedes-Benz engines
I don't think people appreciate how limited the production on these cars was. They built a few hundred of them for top party leaders - they are like Presidential limousines in the US. Hand built special cars. At the time, about the best an ordinary Chinese person could hope for was a bicycle.
holy sht i cant believe there will be a hongqi on this channel. the hongqi series are made specifically to officials and are very rare. i believe most of the hongqis are being kept by museums and collectors. its good to see a car like this in America.
+Kragatar yeah i noticed that as well, last episode he sounded sick as well. can you believe other you tubers were saying jay is a fat slob in the comment section on this video?? lot of haters on you tube, hope you tubers dont truly represent the people of the world, we be in bad shape, and jay commenting negative about communism isnt right, should just focus on the subject at hand (rare cars) if its an american power train then usa is at fault? or perhaps using an outdated power train from the late 50's would be a reason for it breaking down, who's to blame? who cares, just nice to learn about something different for a change, but jay seem to make fun of the car.
+SeaBass85 Jay was right when he said that we like what we grew up with. I think we all have a fondness for some cars that if we were to use in their original form would be pretty disappointing. Besides, unique is cool too. Who wants to drive what everyone else has?
The guys that tried to help roadside, very nice of them and a trip for them to realize it’s Jay F’n Leno! I knew this thing would break down just because of the wobbly hub cap.
The engine to me looks more like a early Pontiac or an early Caddilac,Y Block Fords had spark plugs under the exhaust manifolds,this engine has plugs above the manifolds
Damnedest thing is, this vehicle was produced with a Chrysler 340, according to many sources. Sure sounds like a MoPar starter. I've never seen a 340 with valve covers with studs and grommets, nor an oil breather tube like this one...🤔
The engine in the car is indeed an American V8 it is an International Harvester SV -345 CID engine. Durable engine, very very heavy, peculiar in that it is timed off cyl 8. Visually it is similar to the AMC but AMC's engine isn't as wide and the distributor is angled to the left not the right as it is in this application. Ford applications the distributor is not canted but is vertical and the oil fill is on the valve cover, not through the intake as it is in this Hongqi.
No, not an IH SV-V8. The distributor is in the right place (roughly), but the other details are wrong. IH rocker covers have a "scalloped" bottom and are fastened to the cylinder head with bolts along the edge, not studs in the middle. The thermostat housing is also VERY large on an SV-V8, with a large bypass hose and two distinctive coolant tubes running from the water pump to each head. The oil filler tube - discontinued in the the late '60s/early '70s - is not in the right place. Also, the intake manifold isn't open between the runners. I buy into the theory that the Hongqi V-8s are "reverse engineered" copies of Western engines, much like Russian ZIL V-8s. The ZILs look suspiciously like '50s-era Ford Y-blocks, while the general consensus is the Hongqi is based on the Chrysler A-block, with distributor obviously relocated.
+Jeff DeWitt Not to offend any Chinese peoples on here, this was basically the first car China designed and produced on their own. At this point they really didn't have any automotive taste, they just saw what other countries saw as pretty and copied it.
There is one of these in Las Vegas, I saw it for myself 2011. It was in a big car collection in the Imperial Palace casino which the bloke who owns the car here said. I always wanted to know more about it, so thanks for the great video.
We call it Dawn Redwood here in the US. The two trees are related but the Dawn is deciduous and doesn't get quite as tall as the Coast Redwood or the Giant Sequoia.
Jay, I'd say both the car and you are a bit under the weather. But I think I'd forego an illness too, to get the chance to drive something as unusual as this. Luckily its got an American engine and drive train, so matching up few tuneup parts can ascertain what's really under the hood and then it can be put into good running condition again. Would be much more difficult if the whole thing was a Chinese design. Might be worthwhile trying to retrofit power steering that's appropriate to this engine. Thanks to the Chinese gentleman for his efforts to preserve this car, and for another interesting video!
@@isaakwelch3451 BUT they drive so much better with P/S. In '17 I installed P/S on a '69 Torino I've owned since 1973 & on another in '19. In the '70s I'd have argued it was best driving car on road, by '90s was comparable with a field truck. I ain't goin' back.
@@tombryant1104 BUT when a car as rare as this one is at stake, it's better to preserve originality. This isnt a torino, its a chinese executive limo. I doubt there are 500 of these in existence. Its not a sports car, nor is it someones daily driver, so quick steering is a moot point. Manual steering is part of the experience of a vehicle like this, and by replacing it you diminish that experience
My guess: late 50s Chrysler engine, revised by Russians, manufactured new in China in the 70s. That would explain some differences from the original engine like the valve covers. AC, generator, alternator placement are exactly the same as a late 50s Imperial.
+Domspun Nah, Leno is right, it looks ford. As for the valve covers, keep in mind that NK's "great leader" had a limo that was a Lincoln with NK badges and trim.
How does it look like Ford when it is identical to a late 50s Imperial engine? Ford engines with a distributor up front have it positioned dead center. On Imperials, it is offseted to the passenger side, like in this car. This car even use floor pans and a lot of parts from the Chrysler Imperial. No wonder it sounds like a 50s Chrysler.
Matthew Matthewq Distributor is at the same place as a 1959 and AC/Generator setup is like the 1955. This car is based on the Zil Limousine, which is based on a Imperial. Zil reverse-engineered engines and body parts from Chrysler in the 60s and the Chinese did copy of them in 70s.
Up into recent years the Hongqi saloons look much as they did in the 70s but sleeker and more modern. Few car companies manage to preserve a design that looks both modern and retro so props to them for that
"China is the largest tire producing country." Sorry, that would be Denmark. Billund Denmark. Oh, sorry. You're talking about "full size" tires. LEGO Group produces more tires than ANY other country. :D (Yes, I'm having some fun here.) steve
carnewschina.com/2013/01/23/extremely-rare-hongqi-ca72-pops-up-in-romania/ It’s a 5.6 liter Chrysler engine from the ‘50s. The link has the CA72 which is a previous generation, but the CA770 engine has the same displacement so it would make sense if it’s the same engine. Edit: CA770 series engine is the same www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/12/tychos-illustrated-history-of-chinese-cars-the-perfect-hongqi-ca770/#more-471224
Knew this car looked familiar! I was in Vegas a couple weeks ago and went to the Auto Collections. The car they have looks identical except that it's a '74. Crooked hubcap bugs the hell outta me though.
”I’m not gonna make any jokes” *10 seconds later* ”If Chairman Mao was in the back I’d be dead”
Mao had over 25 Mercedes 600. Lol
Lol
I coughed beer out my nose I laughed so hard after that quip Jay is Legendary
💀
This car throws a lot of red flags... XD
Nice play on words!
gotcha!!
I don't understand.... Can anyone explain?
@@alexsun5247 The car is Chinese, red is the colour of communism, China is communist, therefore. . .
Alex Sun throw red flag means having issues or problems.
"It's like a cartoon baddies car." - Jeremy Clarkson
Horrible man that jeremy clarkson.
ignatius reilly Look who's talking
I read that in Clarkson's voice.
I can almost hear James may yelling CLARKSONNN!!!
it's impossible.😂😂
"The starter motor sounds like a Chrysler"
His knowledge of cars must take up so much of his memory. Jays gunna go senile one day and just start spouting off engine codes in every conversation
If you've never heard a Chrysler starter, they have a very distinctive sound
wish that on no man.
LOL I hope not, but funny joke.
No, that would be Mark Worman.
Well someone isn't much of a car guy
I just met Capa, the car's owner, in Beijing. Nice guy.
Where?l
@@123fourfive5
"Where"? You can't be serious..Get out much?
@@kickinbackinOC Where in Beijing did he meet Capa? Hes not something I can just walk around and stumble upon.
@@123fourfive5
Oh, I see what you mean now...:/
Now I wonder the identity of Capa, he must be some sort of "prince" of a provision leader or national or military leader.
What a cool and uncommon piece of history. That fact that it is even in the US is simply amazing. It just needs a little love and attention and that ol' Ford V8 will be pulling that hulk down the highway again.
I believe it is a Chrysler motor.
Lol
@@MimicoBungalowthese are listed as having Chrysler 340’s up to the early 70’s and Ford 351’s after that. I can’t say 100% it’s a ford engine but I can say that’s definitely NOT a Chrysler LA engine of any type, 340 or otherwise. The vertically mounted front distributor means it’s not a Chrysler engine of any type I’ve ever seen. Ford Windsor and late model Ford big blocks are the only engines I know of with that setup.
china # 1
When I was a kid living in Hefei China, I remembers seeing these in a garage on the way to school. It seemed like they left left the garage or moved around on their own power. Always taken apart.
I am living hefei😂
The fact that is named Red Flag, should've been the first "red flag"
Eastern Bloc cars are very historic and special. They are getting rare, especially this time capsule. Glad to see someone appreciates this car and takes good care of it.
And it still won't run.
Eastern bloc cars represent everything that was, or rather still is, wrong with eastern bloc system - promises not backed by the quality of production.
@@infolord79the funny thing is it's an american engine, it's not even a copy they just straight up swapped it into there
I bet you can get parts for this at Harbor Freight.
Toys r Us?
LOL
HA!
One of the funniest goddamn comments I've ever read. You, sir, need praise from HF.
Most likely not, however can try AliExpress
I love the new, slower pace of this and the last episode (1931 Indian Scout). Relaxed and thoughtful. Also, no corporate PR geeks with their boring marketing horseshit.
Keep on truckin, Jay!
You must dig the COVID episodes
"The more it runs the better it drives" car dies a few seconds later. Lmfao
Yeeesh...😨
Wishful thinking.
I read it at literally at the same time Leno said it ima
Private User yeah american quality died in 5 years even quicker. Tell u a joke American have quality
@Paul Lunsford Hi! I'm from a Spanish speaking country so my name is quite wierd here
sometimes the car's story is more interesting than the car itself.
Hear, hear! Interesting indeed!
ALWAYS
I don't know, never really liked Jay Leno. But since I've been watching these videos (kind of hooked now), seems like a really good guy. Such passion and knowledge (AND he doesn't play golf, which really helps). Great series of films about such interesting vehicles. Keep up the good work.
Never watched late night comedy myself, but I really like Jay Leno's Garage. He seems like a class act and down to earth, not your typical Hollyweird egomaniac.
I like that car, it has a very attractive body style, and the Chinese redwood interior really makes it rich!
I can just imagine a group of engineers staring at the snake nest hydraulics extracted from a 600 Grosse.
"Personally, I'm thinking window winders."
"They're very reliable you know."
"Reliability is important." -> murmers of agreement
+Daniel van Slooten I was thinking the exact same thing!
Say what you will, that interior is fantastic.
Loved when Jay said the premiere would have to roll down the window himself. Dude would have had a harem of women to do that, and much more, for him on command.
But I wonder if the inside is made of tofu like all those ghost city apartments.
Jay you should do videos about big Russian limousines like GAZ Chaika 13,14 or ZIL-41047. These are really astonishing cars.
I'd love to see Jay find and do a walk around and drive of a Russian ZIL limousine. Huge and heavy!
Yes I would love to see Jay review some Russian vehicles
He has done a smaller USSR car in the past.
@@tedse21 Are you thinking of the Volga GAZ-21?
ruclips.net/video/Ozzlbrh6Tfc/видео.html
Personally I find smaller eastern bloc cars (Trabant, Polski Fiat, FSO, Lada, ZAZ, Skoda, moskvitch etc) more interesting but I suppose they are more well known and there are more existing videos. The most interesting eastern bloc car in my opinion and my favourite other than the Trabant of course but which is much further from being Russian is the LuAZ-969 which is a Ukrainian military off road vehicle that was also mostly sold to civilians. I'm annoyed I did not know about them until recently.
When he said "red wood" I'm sure he meant padauk, mahogany, rosewood and the like, which are all broadly categorised as "red wood" traditionally in China, not the giant sequoia in North Cal.
@notfiveo bad joke and bad emoji my friend.
Maybe he’s referring to dawn redwood? It is native to China.
maybe he meant 紅酸枝 Redwood。
Henry Lau 红木 is rosewood....
X. Found the statement that this interior was made of redwood as odd. North American Redwood is pretty soft. Car interiors need to be made of some kind of hardwood to be durable. Redwood of the Northern California variety would get banged up pretty quick.
It's nice to know that Jay has the same number of cars in the Hongqi section of his garage as I have
The front of the car reminds me of the Russian Volga.
I rode in a Volga Gazelle. Better car. It could be roll started with acceptable perform stats. Not as fancy.
Exactly, Volga GAZ-21
NIGHTFOX I was thinking more like a russian ZIL
Actually it based on Chrysler c69 model, the grille was adopted old style chinese funs. it also adopted some thing from old Skoda Vos.
hell no. The idea is from the Tiananmen square
That is a pretty car. I particularly like the slotted headlight surrounds.
cool
Kinda ala '57 Bel Air
No modern manufacturer gives me a place to fly my flag.
Thoes headlights were the first thing I spotted, they look fantastic
The 54 Chevy had slotted headlight surrounds but only that year.
Any machine that stumps Jay is one worth learning about! Thanks for sharing Capa.
Jay’s sense of humor is the best
The way JL said, ‘We made it back to the garage, and the tow truck scene made me laugh so hard.’ It was funny because it unexpected; bravo!
Hopefully the guys at the shop give this gent a hand in figuring the problem, gotta be heartbreaking for the guy after all the work to be able to get it in.
Problem is, I don't think the guy knows the difference between a breaker bar and a torque wrench.
He might have a hard time finding people willing to work on it.
@@bigredc222 not sure about that. Good mechanic could sort problem out because all the mechanicals are take offs of American products.
@@williamkeith8944 Some shops won't work on old cars, but I'm sure he found someone.
I had my 1991 pickup in for an inspection a few years back, the mechanic said the high beam switch wasn't working but he passed it anyway.
I get in the truck and test the high beams, and show him they worked fine, he was pulling on the turn signal arm, he didn't know the button was on the floor.
@@bigredc222 yeah and some shops pretend to do work if they dont know what theyre doing, i had a wheel alignment done on my 1982 subaru and on the sheet they adjusted the rear camber and toe... I asked how they did it and he said they loosened the bolts on the arms and moved them then did them back up.. I said, erm, its torsion bar suspension in the rear, the arms have no adjustment, the only way you can adjust the toe is to raise or lower the suspension same with the camber, but its still the same height it was before. He went red and said i didnt understand. When i got home i looked through the factory service manual. It states if you have incorrect rear alignment to replace the bent arm... Paid $200 for them to adjust the front toe and then lie about the rest. They didnt even adjust the castor on the front, the radius rod bolts still had mud caked on the bolt heads and thread.
I love these old videos of obscure land yachts! Keep it up Jay the content is amazing!
I LOVE THIS SHOW. Can't say that enough. Thank you Jay!
I think this is why he brought it to Jay for a review. He knew it would crap out and then have Jay's people fix it.
something we will never hear Jay say:
"Here we are in the Hongqi section of my garage . . . "
I have never seen him so reserved and quiet like he didn't want to make any jokes about it for fear of being called racist, so he just shut down.
Precisely;;
in this "new communism" era he may be thrown in some modern gulagh for making jokes in that situation.
A good comedian knows when not to do a cheap joke. The fact that the car broke was funny enough and he took that hilarious nab at communism at the end of the video so it was not like he was censoring himself.
Speaking about the steering:
"You see the center of that is a golden flag. It is suppose to be made of pure gold"
Jay "I'd rather have power steering instead of pure gold"
That was so funny.
"We've made it back to the garage" LOL, love this episode.
Jay seemed a little scruffier than usual. This is one of my favorite channels and I can tell that he was not totally his usual self. Sounds like he might have a slight cold or something.
+Jim Bales I was thinkin' the same exact thing.
:)
+Jim Bales He coughed a few times and he didn't sound too good.
+Jim Bales Just a little baked is all.
+Jim Bales He's retired bro! He doesn't have to get spray tans for T.V. anymore, he's a FREE MAN OF MEN!
The Grand Tour brought me here. Anyone else
YEP, Mee too. Mercedes GTR I think.
same
Sag it on Grand Tour as well.
Nope.
Me too, it was a review of the new model of this car
I love these kinds of videos its so original do authentic shows you some unanticipated accidents or events randomly occur to you while driving a Classic vehicle.
Great episode. I love how keep finding these unusual machines. Well, whether you're finding them or they are finding you, I love the presentation, you get a history.... love it.
It looks like an early 60's Opel Kadett, Volga, and Mercedes 600 had a love child.
+The Obsolete Geek "menage a junk"
Volga and Chaika in particular,because of USSR and China friendship in that time
Opel Kapitän or Admiral maybe. A kadett is much smaller. I see one almost every day appro 1960-65.
I don't see Opel similarity. It has a Volga nose. It has American car proportions. And, finally, we know who designed the Alan Ford cars. Incredible! Magnus, you are magnificent.
It looks like european cars of the era but not like any specific model really. Opel rekord Ford Consul etc but its not like in the 80's when most cars looked like a mk1 golf/scirocco becasue Guigaro/Bertone designed them all.
Electric windows are bourgeois.
Even Chrushev had that
And automatic transmission too
LoL
Classic!
Electric windows easier to install and lighter than crank systems
0:15 no doubt that's a CHRYSLER starter right there.
Hahaa
That wobbly wheel cover made me a little seasick:)
That was the straight one...
I find it interesting that these cars are preserved and really appreciate the opportunity to see this vehicle outside of its natural environment. Just like almost any other car that's used mostly for a conversation piece or is used for taking pictures and not as a road car, it's not used to being driven so Jay takes it out and the generator dies and takes the batteries out with it. It's pretty common. I'm sure that Jay would've had his team of guys help him out with it. You don't exactly pop down to your local AutoZone and ask for a generator or alternator for a 1978 Hongqi. Seeing as how it uses American running gear I'm sure they were able to find a replacement for the antiquated charging system. Come on guys, this car is old and it doesn't get driven much, it could've happened to anything that Jay drives.
Boosted B Series EK If Jay has the guys at the shop fix it it's gonna end up with an alternator swapped in. I can see it now. Wilwood disc's. Mini alternator and electric cooling fan....and your classic Hong Qi has now been butchered by American resto-modder.
Go watch Jay's videos on his steam powered cars and rethink your comment. He spent weeks researching and rebuilding from scratch a 100 year old boiler tank out of pure copper for one of the cars. He keeps everything to the T. He doesn't do "dad cars".
this car gave the body guards a good workout back in the day
Lol
Foo fighters can hop in full crew.
Must have been a real chore pushing it at highway speed
Kind of brings back memories of when it was common to need a push out of an intersection every now and then. I had a 63 Nova in high school so I'm quite familiar with the drill
+pfflyers1 My FIAT X19 had to be pushed backwards constantly because I couldn't keep up with repairs. The reverse gear kept going out every 6 months, It _was_ fun to drive forward though! ;O)-
So excited to see this car on youtube! It remained pretty mysterious to me till now
It is a stunning car.
Jeremy Clarkson said it best,
"This car looks like a baddy, it just looks evil"
I absolutely love this car, the grill and details.
I like how it was the 6,000 lb car that breaks down in the middle of the road, props to the men who has to push this boat
+Kenny Lopez 6,000 lbs + jay leno lol
+HeartlandRanchTV so about 8k.
+Kevin Allen lol
The nice guys that came to help push the car were probably shocked that it was Jay F’n Leno!
"I wouldn't ride in a Hongqi deathtrap again for all the tea in China. Mostly because I already have all the tea in China."
-- _Chairman Mao, 1972_
+fidorover LOL
I wish he said that
you are just full of bullshit buddy.
fidorover "the more it runs the better it drives " right b4 it broke down oh boy we still love you jay
nine years earlier. my great-grandfather met Mao
According to Google, Hongqi is based on a 1955 Chrysler model, powered by a 5.6 liter Chrysler V8.
Google. Oh boy. Did they praise chaiman Mao five times before giving you that answer?
good catch!
Now it's a V12.
That was true for the very first Hong Qi. Yet, through the years, as he said, FAW put whatever engine they could put their hands on. Some Hong Qi even got some Mercedes-Benz engines
So like a 340 ci
The previous owner was Krong Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia's head of state until 1993.
"I don't think the battery is coming back.......", followed by a whistling rendition of , "Get Along Little Buckaroo". Priceless Jay Leno and Crew
Single weirdest Garage episode ever... love it!
I don't think people appreciate how limited the production on these cars was. They built a few hundred of them for top party leaders - they are like Presidential limousines in the US. Hand built special cars. At the time, about the best an ordinary Chinese person could hope for was a bicycle.
The dude could've at least gone through the maintenance before taking it to jay
holy sht i cant believe there will be a hongqi on this channel. the hongqi series are made specifically to officials and are very rare. i believe most of the hongqis are being kept by museums and collectors. its good to see a car like this in America.
That looks like a 55 Chrysler motor
My 55 Chrysler has legit the exact same look and set up to it, but it had less displacement making it 188 horses
Wikipedia says a Chrysler LA block.
To me it looks like a rambler engine. The guest states The engine capacity as 5.7 litres.
I've got that same head cold Jay. It's a pain in the neck..
Hope you feel better, thanks for sharing!
Chinese dawn redwood trees are beautiful, bit different to Californian redwood... but interesting to see it used in cars.
Jay has been sounding drained the last couple of episodes. I hope he's not having health issues.
+Kragatar
yeah i noticed that as well, last episode he sounded sick as well. can you believe other you tubers were saying jay is a fat slob in the comment section on this video?? lot of haters on you tube, hope you tubers dont truly represent the people of the world, we be in bad shape, and jay commenting negative about communism isnt right, should just focus on the subject at hand (rare cars) if its an american power train then usa is at fault? or perhaps using an outdated power train from the late 50's would be a reason for it breaking down, who's to blame? who cares, just nice to learn about something different for a change, but jay seem to make fun of the car.
I noticed a few episodes ago that he was suddenly looking quite elderly and aged
@@sacooper802 Easy to hate Leno for seriously botching his retirement from the Tonight Show.
I don’t care how many times Jay is driving a car it’s always hilarious watching his face change when it up and dies on him....😂🤣
I have a very odd appreciation for this. Actually, I quite like it!
I like it, plus Capa seemed to be a pretty nice guy, I like the car and his personality
Yeah, he seems like the perfect guy to own this car.
the owner seemed super cool... nice car!
+SeaBass85 Jay was right when he said that we like what we grew up with. I think we all have a fondness for some cars that if we were to use in their original form would be pretty disappointing. Besides, unique is cool too. Who wants to drive what everyone else has?
Jay thanks for continuing with your fascinating videos even though your not feeling well... It'll pass
The guys that tried to help roadside, very nice of them and a trip for them to realize it’s Jay F’n Leno! I knew this thing would break down just because of the wobbly hub cap.
Always very engaging and authoritative, Jay.
The engine to me looks more like a early Pontiac or an early Caddilac,Y Block Fords had spark plugs under the exhaust manifolds,this engine has plugs above the manifolds
It is based on an OHV Cad from what I can tell.
@@stephenbianchi7141 Thats what I thought
Damnedest thing is, this vehicle was produced with a Chrysler 340, according to many sources. Sure sounds like a MoPar starter. I've never seen a 340 with valve covers with studs and grommets, nor an oil breather tube like this one...🤔
Y blocks have the distributor on the rear, also
Even the Chinese wouldn’t use Ford junk on their cars 😅😂🤣
One problem with this car. An hour after you've driven it, you need to drive it again.
Wouldn't it be in the shop after the first ride?
@@infolord79 What do You think this is A Mercedes!?
@@yanuchiuchihaanimegamesand3907 Worse = ) . This is a 3 tone chinesse copy designed by a begineer and made by people paid with 1Euro/day = ) .
Now that's funny..
@@motanelustelistu True, meaning it has none of the Mecedes flaws in it.
It's a Chrysler 5.6 (early 340) and a 3 speed auto which is probably a 727. That combo is bulletproof, especially the transmission
I believe your correct.
+Ryan T Yea from what I can find Online its a Chrysler V8 but the Distributor in the front must mean a very early model engine late 50's early 60's
+Ryan T yeah, Considering "The CA72's design was based on a 1955 Chrysler" - Copied from Wikipedia
+Ryan T transmission would be a 727 no?
+J.A.Ratt85 it should be considering the 727 came out in 1956 as the brand-name "Chrysler Torqueflite"
I must say even with it's odd design it's quite elegant and carries some kind of a intimidating look to it.
This car is more of history than a 4 wheel thing. Nice to see things like this in JLG! More plz!
It's like Steve McQueen's car form me! Loveit!!!! (from Europe:))
I want the convertible version
Ichiban Moto so do I
So did JFK. And look how that ended....!
It look like Jay's soviet GAZ-21 Volga)) Thumbs up, if you agree))
peugeot 404 as he said , the french helped them making it ;)
The engine in the car is indeed an American V8 it is an International Harvester SV -345 CID engine. Durable engine, very very heavy, peculiar in that it is timed off cyl 8. Visually it is similar to the AMC but AMC's engine isn't as wide and the distributor is angled to the left not the right as it is in this application. Ford applications the distributor is not canted but is vertical and the oil fill is on the valve cover, not through the intake as it is in this Hongqi.
No, not an IH SV-V8. The distributor is in the right place (roughly), but the other details are wrong. IH rocker covers have a "scalloped" bottom and are fastened to the cylinder head with bolts along the edge, not studs in the middle. The thermostat housing is also VERY large on an SV-V8, with a large bypass hose and two distinctive coolant tubes running from the water pump to each head. The oil filler tube - discontinued in the the late '60s/early '70s - is not in the right place. Also, the intake manifold isn't open between the runners.
I buy into the theory that the Hongqi V-8s are "reverse engineered" copies of Western engines, much like Russian ZIL V-8s. The ZILs look suspiciously like '50s-era Ford Y-blocks, while the general consensus is the Hongqi is based on the Chrysler A-block, with distributor obviously relocated.
+Scott McElheney right
Easiest way to tell that it's not a Y block Ford is that Y block's had a rear distributor, not a typical Ford V8 front distributor.
345? Maybe. Everything is cast iron,, none of this fancy aluminium. I had one in an Acco truck several years ago.
its a Chrysler LA the whole car is based on the Imperial
The most interesting car i have seen on this show. So much history and facts about this car. Totally amazing
The brand new Hongqi H9 looks very nice!
Interesting car, I couldn't help but notice the fancy woodwork looked kind of crude.
+Jeff DeWitt Mactac
+Jeff DeWitt
That's the fine example of communism.
gdcat777 Yes, the same great craftsmanship that made the Yugo the legendary motor vehicle it is.
+Jeff DeWitt Not to offend any Chinese peoples on here, this was basically the first car China designed and produced on their own. At this point they really didn't have any automotive taste, they just saw what other countries saw as pretty and copied it.
It is as much an example of Chinese culture rather than communism, but you probably don't know much about Chinese culture.
It's a 5.6L Chrysler V8
Source: www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/12/tychos-illustrated-history-of-chinese-cars-the-perfect-hongqi-ca770/#more-471224
+mylifeisJDM Thank you that was an interesting site. I wish this guy did something with this car before he brought it to jay's garage.
+mylifeisJDM the distributer is on the wrong side for a Chrysler small block.
+mylifeisJDM I thought some of the styling looked 60s Chrysler.
If this were one of Top Gear UK episode, the car would explode at the end of the episode.
+Manseung Ha Not that one. You would expect to buy that car for 825,000 USD, because it got historical importance.
This cost too much to blow up.
There is one of these in Las Vegas, I saw it for myself 2011. It was in a big car collection in the Imperial Palace casino which the bloke who owns the car here said. I always wanted to know more about it, so thanks for the great video.
Love obscure cars like that. The breaking down part is part of the fun or owning these classic and rare cars.
And I thought it is was because that it Made in China. Oh Hongqi 😅
where's the white hongqi
😂😂😂
he's hosting the show
+Zach B :-D
+flahr1 EYYYYYYY
pronounced nigcher??
Chinese redwood is vastly different from coastal redwood.
We call it Dawn Redwood here in the US. The two trees are related but the Dawn is deciduous and doesn't get quite as tall as the Coast Redwood or the Giant Sequoia.
Ranger Sequioa
Jay, I'd say both the car and you are a bit under the weather. But I think I'd forego an illness too, to get the chance to drive something as unusual as this.
Luckily its got an American engine and drive train, so matching up few tuneup parts can ascertain what's really under the hood and then it can be put into good running condition again. Would be much more difficult if the whole thing was a Chinese design.
Might be worthwhile trying to retrofit power steering that's appropriate to this engine. Thanks to the Chinese gentleman for his efforts to preserve this car, and for another interesting video!
Manual steering isn't as bad as many think. it's no performance car, might as well leave the steering stock.
@@isaakwelch3451 No it's worse... If ratio is reduced so manuals steer easily, takes two turns of steering wheel just to get around corners.
@@tombryant1104 for decades cars had manual steering and they made it around corners fine
@@isaakwelch3451 BUT they drive so much better with P/S. In '17 I installed P/S on a '69 Torino I've owned since 1973 & on another in '19. In the '70s I'd have argued it was best driving car on road, by '90s was comparable with a field truck. I ain't goin' back.
@@tombryant1104 BUT when a car as rare as this one is at stake, it's better to preserve originality. This isnt a torino, its a chinese executive limo. I doubt there are 500 of these in existence. Its not a sports car, nor is it someones daily driver, so quick steering is a moot point. Manual steering is part of the experience of a vehicle like this, and by replacing it you diminish that experience
It has actually a stylish body. Good vintage car. I like the wedge front end
Always something interesting in transportation history on Jay Leno's Garage. Thanks for lernin me up Jay.
My guess: late 50s Chrysler engine, revised by Russians, manufactured new in China in the 70s. That would explain some differences from the original engine like the valve covers. AC, generator, alternator placement are exactly the same as a late 50s Imperial.
+Domspun Nah, Leno is right, it looks ford. As for the valve covers, keep in mind that NK's "great leader" had a limo that was a Lincoln with NK badges and trim.
How does it look like Ford when it is identical to a late 50s Imperial engine? Ford engines with a distributor up front have it positioned dead center. On Imperials, it is offseted to the passenger side, like in this car. This car even use floor pans and a lot of parts from the Chrysler Imperial. No wonder it sounds like a 50s Chrysler.
+Domspun You are right, besides you can tell by the typical sound of the starter it's a Chrysler product.
+Domspun; Imperial used the Hemi in the late 50's and the Wedge Neither of which this engine is based off.
Matthew Matthewq Distributor is at the same place as a 1959 and AC/Generator setup is like the 1955. This car is based on the Zil Limousine, which is based on a Imperial. Zil reverse-engineered engines and body parts from Chrysler in the 60s and the Chinese did copy of them in 70s.
" Oh yeah you got P you got reverse you got neutral" Lmao
It looks kinda like a Mercedes 600 crossed with a Russian Zil.
+fred grove that's what i was thinking
+Nick Belanger Grille and headlights look like a GAZ Volga 21.
Front from gaz21 and body from zil114))
Not every car jay shows is the best there was at that time, some are just a footnote in history but great that jay shows these cars too
Up into recent years the Hongqi saloons look much as they did in the 70s but sleeker and more modern. Few car companies manage to preserve a design that looks both modern and retro so props to them for that
I live in china, and I've only seen one of those once in my life, last week i saw a car collector driving it in beijing.
I'd love to see Jay get his hands on an old Trabbi!!
"China is the largest tire producing country."
Sorry, that would be Denmark.
Billund Denmark.
Oh, sorry. You're talking about "full size" tires.
LEGO Group produces more tires than ANY other
country. :D
(Yes, I'm having some fun here.)
steve
lol. Have a number to prove your statement? :p
+Harry Verolme (TPT)
www.statista.com/statistics/225677/revenue-of-the-leading-tire-producers-worldwide/
+Harry Verolme (TPT) Lego, nuff said.
Ronald C Krause Jr I meant for the Lego company. Thanks for this statistic though! :)
I sure love Jay Leno... he sure knows how to make a point
I think that's a Chrysler power plant from the 50's in my opinion.
D J Tanner I think its base on a chrysler engine too.
carnewschina.com/2013/01/23/extremely-rare-hongqi-ca72-pops-up-in-romania/
It’s a 5.6 liter Chrysler engine from the ‘50s. The link has the CA72 which is a previous generation, but the CA770 engine has the same displacement so it would make sense if it’s the same engine.
Edit: CA770 series engine is the same
www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/12/tychos-illustrated-history-of-chinese-cars-the-perfect-hongqi-ca770/#more-471224
Danny Rumbles w
You're 100% right Chrysler LA engine 5.6
Danny Rumbles i think its the 318 Chrysler Y-block of the late50's to late 60's
Knew this car looked familiar! I was in Vegas a couple weeks ago and went to the Auto Collections. The car they have looks identical except that it's a '74.
Crooked hubcap bugs the hell outta me though.
I was worried for the owner that that hubcap was going to come off during their drive.
You don't need power steering to ride in the back seat.
If you like this car its it's available in model kit from ~ Trumpeter in 1/25th scale.
or fully assembled in 1/32 scale from aliexpress
I’ve never chuckled at a RUclips video so much!!
Great video Jay, loved the final comment you made... lol