When it comes to luxury car collections, most people think of Dubai, Monaco, or the United States. However, China also boasts a surprising car collection.
Mr. Luo inside the Hongqi limousine.
This impressive collection belongs to Luo Wenyou, a Chinese man. Last December, Luo’s car collection appeared in a short documentary film titled Driven.
Vintage cars in Mr. Luo’s collection.
Luo currently owns around 200 cars of various types. His collection includes everything from a dark black limousine made for Chairman Mao Zedong to a magnificent red fire truck.
A unique tank in the collection.
Luo began collecting cars in 1979 with a blue Warsaw car from Poland. At that time, there were very few individual car collectors in China. He spent about 5,000 Chinese Renminbi, equivalent to 16.5 million Vietnamese dong, to purchase the Warsaw car.
Mr. Luo and his wife posing with their first car.
“I wear white gloves and sunglasses every day when driving,” said Luo, sitting in the back seat of a 1966 Hongqi limousine. “Even in winter, I roll down the window, so people can see me.”
“At that time, there were very few cars on the streets. There were no traffic lights. Only the police regulated traffic,” Luo recalled.
From a driver to a famous car collector:
Mr. Luo used to work as a driver for government officials.
Luo used to work as a driver for government officials. Afterward, he quit his job and started his own business. He ran a car repair shop, a travel company, and even built a go-kart race track.
After participating in the Louis Vuitton Classic China Run event in 1998, Luo sold all his companies and dedicated himself to car collecting. In 2009, he opened the Beijing Classic Car Museum.
The exterior of Mr. Luo’s classic car museum.
His past connections with the government helped Luo find rare cars. His collection serves as evidence of China’s car design history and reminds people of a time when only government officials could own a car.
“Everyone had great respect for car drivers,” Luo said, recalling the period after the Chinese Cultural Revolution in 1976. “Only government officials and military leaders owned cars, but I could buy an imported car.”
Hongqi cars exclusively reserved for government officials.
The highlight of Luo’s car collection is the Hongqi cars. These Chinese cars were specially made for government officials.
Hongqi limousine.
Inside the car, there is even a landline telephone.
Hongqi car logo.
The most important car in Luo’s collection is the Hongqi 770 limousine. It was produced in the late 1970s and previously owned by General Nie Rongzhen. Luo drove this car for about 808 miles, equivalent to 1,300 kilometers, from Dalian to Beijing to participate in the Louis Vuitton Classic China Run event.
Chevrolet that used to belong to Puyi, the last emperor of China.
Broken window of the ZIS 1945 car.
Luo’s collection also includes a ZIS 1945 car with a broken window. This car once transported former Chinese Chairman Liu Shaoqi and the broken window is a remnant from the Cultural Revolution era.
Red and white Dong Fang Hong car.
Car with Tian’anmen logo.
Traditional Chinese lantern-style taillights on a car made by First Automobile Works in 1958.
Luo’s collection also includes several dozen Dongfanghong cars that were produced.
Evidence of history:
A photo from the 1998 Louis Vuitton Classic China Run event.
The Hongqi 770 is perhaps Luo’s most treasured car. It was produced in the late 1970s and previously owned by Marshal Nie Rongzhen. Luo drove this car for about 808 miles, equivalent to 1,300 kilometers, to participate in the Louis Vuitton Classic China Run event from Dalian to Beijing.
Mr. Luo was the only Chinese participant in this event.
At the event, Luo was the only Chinese participant. “I was fined by the organizers because my car was surrounded by too many people in Dalian,” Luo recalled. “I remember an old man carrying his granddaughter to watch. When I drove by, the old man was so excited that he raised both hands to applaud and dropped the granddaughter.”
Chevrolet that used to belong to Puyi, the last emperor of China.
Today, China has become the largest car market in the world, and car ownership is no longer limited to government officials. Nevertheless, Luo’s museum still attracts many visitors as it serves as a reminder of the country’s changes over the past 40 years.
Lastly, Luo expressed his desire to further enrich his car collection. “I really want a car that runs on a steam engine from England,” he said. “I think I already have enough Chinese cars in my collection.”
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