While on holiday in the great city of Nandaihe in Hebei province, I took a few pictures of a tired, old tricycle. Back home in Beijing, I completely forgot about it until I went through my holiday pictures a few days ago, actually looking for a car completely different. The old tricycle caught my attention again, and this time I decided to research the damn thing. Well, I found this oldie was an old neighbor …
An incredibly beautiful logo up front. This tricycle is the Beijing Dongfeng BM021. It was made by the Beijing Motorcycle Factory, part of Beijing Auto Works, in the 1960′s and 1970′s. The factory was located in the Dongzhimen area in Beijing, by that time on the outskirts of the city, mostly farmland and a few factories.
Today, Dongzhimen is considered to be part of the center of the city with huge shopping malls, high rise apartment buildings and the biggest bus and subway hub in Beijing. I know all that because I live there now, right in the center of Dongzhimen, close to the Second Ring Road. This proud old tricycle and me have a connection.
The Beijing Dongfeng BM021 Tricycle (no connection with today’s Dongfeng Motor) was made for distribution of small goods inside big cities. It was used as a cheap taxi as well. Max load was 270kg. The machine on the pictures was made in the 1970′s.
For tech specs, I found where the power came from: a single-cylinder air-cooled two-stroke 250cc engine rated at 12hp. There was no electric starter and no reverse gear, power went by chain to the rear wheels.
Door art. Door-handle very nicely crafted as well.
Now, old pictures:
Beijing in the 1960′s. Around here, that’s a few centuries ago. The cop gives way to an early example of the BM021, with a round head-light.
Early BM021 again. Fitted with a hard-top with windows, likely the taxi-version.
BM021 from the 1960′s, note head light, mirrors are also different. This one seems factory fresh; tires, paint and cabin-cover are all brand-new. Probably a real factory-photo.
This Beijing Dongfeng BM021 is a true part of China’s automotive history. I don’t think many are still around. I therefore consider myself a very lucky man finding this blue example in Nandaihe.
Dutchman Tycho de Feyter runs Carnewschina.com, a blog about cars in China, from Beijing, China. He also collects die-cast models of Chinese cars.
There are still some 3 wheelers produced in China. Mainly found in poorer places like Anhui province, according to friends who live there.
Car and Driver even got a hold of one to test drive.
http://www.caranddriver.com/columns/wildfire-wf650-c
Hello Sam,
you are absolutely right. There are still many 3 wheelers made all over China. Whenever you go outside the big cities they are just everywhere, used as taxi’s or for small transport. Most are still gasoline powered but more and more are electric these days. I’ll try to write some more articles on these interesting machines on my site.
Tycho
Oh it’s been so long ago.
Was it Thailand where I saw these or perhaps locally-made little motorcycles converted to passenger and/or cargo use?
It would be easy for those clever foreign shops and/or crafts folks to convert a motorcycle to a 3 or 4 wheeler or add a small propulsion unit to pert-near anything with wheels.
When those drenching monsoon rains hit having protection from the rain is handy.
Many advantages for small-scale users and folks on a budget.
Yes, Thailand has their three-wheeled tuk tuks. India also had a large number of them for public transportation. Jakarta has them, but not that prevalent these days. Most are in dilapidated condition. There are new ones which uses LPG for fuel, but not as successful or widespread as the old one. However, all these used smaller scooter wheels. I noticed that the Dong Feng used larger motorcycle wheels. I suppose it’s better for rural use. Scooter wheels is more suited to city / paved road use.
wonderful little vehicles. Wish we could have them in the US. This is all I really need for my 6 mile work commute.
Tycho, do you have any interior shots?Iirc, these were steered by handle bars. They didn’t have steering wheels like the new ones. I sat in the back of one back early 80’s. 2 benches in the back, sitting total 6 ppl sideways. Or was it 4? Canvas top to keep out the rain. No door or anything. Cheap practical work horses (or donkeys) they are.
Hello Orick,
the blue 3 wheeler that I saw had a steering wheel. Older ones did indeed have a handle bar. Even today many simple 3 wheelers used in the countryside are still made with handle bars.
Tycho
Hey Tycho, when I was in Beijing this summer I caught a glimpse of the back of what appeared to be a new 3-wheeler. I suspect it was electric and it looked very modern in a white thick durable plastic way. It had modern tailights and glass fitted. It looked almost car-like.
Have you seen one floating around there? It was about a block a way and I didn’t get a chance to get a camera shot of it.
Any idea what I’m referring to? Sure looked interesting from what I saw. It sure as heck beat the usual backyard welding job you see around most 3 wheelers here in China.
*edit*
Ohh LMAO, I think I just saw it, I followed that link to the Wildfire WF650, that sure looks like it. I’ve only seen one though, any ideas why they aren’t popular?