Re: ZIS 110

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2009/4/17 16:16:09

While we are on the subject of Chinese limousines I would like to tell you a story.

This story was told to me in good faith. I have no idea if it is true or accurate but will relate it as it was told to me.

In the 50s or early 60s there was a man who lived in British Columbia Canada known as Hong Kong Charlie. He had an unusual way of making a living.

He went around to garages and used car lots in the Vancouver area and bought cheap used cars. He did not care what make they were, he did not care if they were rusty, the upholstery torn, he did not even care if they ran. He had these simple requirements: They had to be big American cars, they had to have 4 doors, all glass had to be intact and every piece of chrome had to be on the car.

Once a year he loaded all the cars on a ship in Vancouver harbour. From there they sailed to just outside the 3 mile limit off the Chinese coast. A Chinese ship met him at sea. Each car was lifted off the one ship and onto the other by crane. As each car was loaded Hong Kong Charlie was paid a fixed price, in American dollars, in cash.

The cars were taken to China where the motors were rebuilt, body panels repaired, rusty fenders remade, and interiors completely reupholstered. All the cars were painted black. Then they were put into service as transportation for important party officials.

I do not know if this is a true story or an urban legend. Certain facts make sense, for example buying cars from Canada when trade with the US was out of the question. I give it here only for entertainment.