AMONG the more than 100 deluxe limos by Mercedes Benz, BMW, Volvo and Cadillac, two old-fashioned Redflag cars attracted the most attention Wednesday at a second-hand car expo in Dongguan.

Virtually handmade, the Redflag cars were used by Chinese high officials in the 1960s. Though produced 40 years ago and appearing cumbersome compared to modern models, a Redflag with license plate number S98981 was offered for auction for a minimum bid of 280,000 yuan (US$34,000). The price was more expensive than a new 2003 Bieke Regal GL 2.5.

The other Redflag, a CA770 model, was a three-row-seat sedan used for eight years before it became part of the collection. It was also offered for a high price.

The first Redflag car, model CA72, was produced in 1958 in Changchun in Northeast China for late Chairman Mao Zedong.

The CA72 sported a red pennant-shaped hood ornament and -- on the front bumper -- a sign with the Chinese characters hongqi, meaning red flag, that were handwritten by Mao himself.

The car was driven in the parade that marked China's 10th anniversary in 1959, and it became a national star.

Beginning in the 1960s, the Redflag car was designated for the use of Chinese officials with ranks higher than vice-minister and visiting foreign heads of state. A total of 1,540 Redflags were manufactured over 20 years. Production of the Chinese limos stopped in the 1980s.

But the Redflag rose again in 1998 when new models began production after the Changchun company received investments from Ford and Volkswagen.

New model Redflag cars are no longer made with red flag hood ornaments, but buyers often customize their cars with the old style ornament.

The four-day second-hand car expo in Houjie Township, Dongguan was the first in Guangdong, where more than 600 second-hand cars were displayed and sold.

 
Editor: Wings