Exploring a Vast Collection of Chinese Cars

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.

This impressive collection belongs to Luo Wenyou, a Chinese man. Last December, Luo’s car collection appeared in a short documentary film titled Driven.

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.

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.

“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:

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.

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.”

The highlight of Luo’s car collection is the Hongqi cars. These Chinese cars were specially made for government officials.

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.

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.

Luo’s collection also includes several dozen Dongfanghong cars that were produced.

Evidence of history:

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.

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.”

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.”