Vehicle model
FAW Hongqi CA72
The Hongqi CA72 is the very first car from the Hongqi brand and one of the first luxury limousines designed in China. Its development, decided in 1958 by the central government and personally approved by Mao Zedong, was entrusted to FAW in Changchun. Five prototypes were built in about a year, then the CA72 made its public debut on October 1, 1959 at the parade marking the 10th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, on Tiananmen Square. About 198 units were produced from 1959 to 1965. Its styling incorporated Chinese cultural motifs: a fan-shaped grille, lights inspired by palace lanterns, and ornaments evoking traditional craftsmanship. As an official state vehicle, the CA72 aimed to symbolically rival Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce and the Soviet ZIL. It is a historic collector's piece, unrelated to the contemporary tire and wheel market.
History
History of the FAW Hongqi CA72
The Hongqi CA72 is the very first car from the Hongqi brand and one of the first luxury limousines designed in China. Its development, decided in 1958 by the central government and personally approved by Mao Zedong, was entrusted to FAW in Changchun. Five prototypes were built in about a year, then the CA72 made its public debut on October 1, 1959 at the parade marking the 10th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, on Tiananmen Square. About 198 units were produced from 1959 to 1965. Its styling incorporated Chinese cultural motifs: a fan-shaped grille, lights inspired by palace lanterns, and ornaments evoking traditional craftsmanship. As an official state vehicle, the CA72 aimed to symbolically rival Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce and the Soviet ZIL. It is a historic collector's piece, unrelated to the contemporary tire and wheel market.
Technology
Technologies, engines and platforms
The CA72 is powered by a gasoline V8 engine of about 5.4 L, derived from a Chrysler "Firepower" block, mounted on a large rear-wheel-drive limousine architecture. According to FAW, it could reach about 185 km/h, a notable performance for an official car of the era.
Tires and wheels
Tire and wheel compatibility
Faute de présence officielle au Canada, les dimensions de pneus et de jantes des FAW (Hongqi, Bestune) ne suivent pas de standard local établi, mais restent des formats métriques chinois courants. Les VUS compacts comme le Bestune T77 utilisent généralement des jantes de diamètre moyen (autour de 17 à 19 pouces selon la finition), tandis que les grandes berlines et VUS Hongqi adoptent des diamètres plus élevés. L'entraxe (bolt pattern) se situe dans les standards usuels des véhicules de tourisme. Pour tout véhicule de ce type circulant au Québec, des pneus d'hiver homologués sont obligatoires et essentiels; l'acheteur doit valider la dimension exacte inscrite sur la portière avant toute commande.
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