Throwback Thursday: testing the Chinese government's luxury limo in 1975

“Although the Chinese representatives of the firm claimed it developed 220bhp, it was felt that something between 150 and 160 was a more realistic figure,” Autocar reported. This gave it the acceleration of a “hard-driven” Mercedes-Benz 200 diesel, we suggested, “although accompanied by the characteristic throaty exhaust noise of a V8.”

The car, we felt, was built like a tank – evidenced by its three-ton unladen kerb weight. In fairness, the Hongqi was built for political parades rather than autobahnen, which explains its 19ft length and particular focus on the rear of the interior.

“Inside, it offers huge leg space even for Europeans,” Autocar reported, “and the notably short Chinese must feel very grand indeed when travelling there.

“The rear seat is adjustable by electric control, both to and fro and vertically. The floor is covered in carpet of most luxurious quality and the seat upholstery – under plastic covers which were not allowed to be removed – were also of top quality.

“The German reporters were rather taken aback at being asked to wipe their feet getting in.”

Rear occupants were also provided with electric windows and air-con, “tending to suggest that life can be good in the land of the Red Flag, provided you are the right sort of comrade”.

The driver’s seat wasn’t quite as comfy, being a fixed bench seat, although it was “also luxuriously appointed”.

One thing that particularly surprised us was the lack of passive safety features in the Hongqi – a flat dashboard of solid polished wood, dark glass sun visors and tip-up folding seats – all, we knew, dangerous in a high-speed crash.

Despite this being such an unusual car, we were slightly disappointed to find nothing of particular novelty.

“Everything was thoroughly conventional, with coil spring and wishbone suspension at the front, live axle and leaf springs at the back, and drum brakes all round,” we reported.

The steering and brakes were power assisted, a luxury feature at the time, although the helm was “vague” and the braking “very inadequate.”

Autocar concluded by saying: “China certainly has a long way to go to catch up with car manufacturers in the Western world.

“However, one can appreciate how magnificent it must feel to ride through the streets of Peking [Beijing] in the Hongqi, bearing in mind that the city’s population of 7 million includes 2 million cyclists, and that private cars there are unknown. Taxis are few, and are available only on request – there is no hailing on the street.

“Not much was known about the price of the Hongqi, but it is believed to be between £13,000 and £15,000.” That's around £100,000 today.

Hongqi’s representatives weren’t that bothered about how far out of reach cars were for the average Chinese, mind you.

“We don’t need private cars,” they told Autocar’s reporter. “When we have to travel, the State helps us.”

Today, China is the biggest car market in the world, with 21.15 million sales in 2015 alone.

Throwback Thursday: 1922 Studebaker Light Six road test