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Saturday, August 22, 2009

First Car in Hong Kong

The first automobiles in Hong Kong had petrol-driven internal combustion engines and arrived between 1903-05. Initially they were not well received by the public. Only around 1910 did the cars begin to gain appeal. Most of the owners were British.



1910 photo of one of the first cars driven in Hong Kong







Some of these cars probably found their ways to Hong Kong in the turn of the 20th Century, ...



From top to bottom
1904 Vauxhall, 1903 Vauxhall
1905 Vauxhall, 1909 Vauxhall
1911 Vauxhall, 1909 Austro Daimler
1909 Napier Laudaulette
1903 CGV Coupe Trois Quarts, 1904 De Dion Bouton Tonneau

2 comments:

alchuatlarge said...

Hong Kong's First

Rudi, my family name is Chu (Zhu). It was a very wealthy and large family in Guangzhou and Hong Kong during the turn of the 20th century. the name of the family business was Zhu Guang Lan,the biggest tobacco company in the area at the time. I was told, and I have read something on the internet, that one of my ancestors was the first one to own a car in Hong Kong, and that he was handicaped and a little crazy. The story was that he would drive his car around in violation of traffic rule and when policemen chased him, he would throw money out of the car and get away. Any truth to that?

Albert Chu alchu888@gmail.com

rudi butt said...

Hi Albert, fascinating story. This is the first time I've heard of it, so I cannot offer any comment at this point. What I do know is that road traffic was thrown into chaos when motor vehicles were first introduced to Hong Kong. And, it wasn't until 1947* that regulations pertaining to reckless or dangerous driving were promulgated. Thanks again for sharing your family story.
*There may be earlier ones, but I couldn't find them...

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