Solved: PN #191 -- Minsheng, 1931

[Tom_I]

There is a bit of information around on a couple of Chinese language forums. I only have gobbledyGoogle translations to go on, so I don't know how accurate it is.

It seems that this was a project started in the late 1920s in Liaoning Province in north-east China to design a truck which could be produced from locally-sourced materials. I don't think this was fully achieved, and some parts and materials had to be brought in from elsewhere. It was based at a mortar factory, and seems to have been properly funded. The chief engineer of the project was an American, as mentioned earlier. His name was Daniel F. Myers, but I haven't been able to find much about him.

Named Minsheng (民生), "The People's Livelihood", there seem to have been three models designed, designated 50, 75 and 100. The only one I can definitely identify is the type 75, which is the smaller of the photos below. I suspect the puzzle truck is the 3-ton 85-horsepower type 100, but I can't prove that. There are some technical details, but it's not always clear which model is being referred to. The larger photo below shows the puzzle truck, I think. At least these two prototypes were built, with a slogan across the front bumper which says "Powerful enough for the worst roads. Fast enough for the best".

There were supply and manufacturing problems, but a preliminary batch of 15 chassis were laid down, though they were never completed. They were destroyed, and the whole project came to an abrupt end when the Japanese invaded north-east China in September 1931, following the "Mukden Incident".

[DeAutogids]

It seems that is the info that I too have found. I believe Mr. Chinese Cars (Erik van Ingen Schenau) has translated it in English in one of his recent books.

[pnegyesi]

There's a connection to USA...

And that is....?

On another note, the puzzle truck looks to be beyond the capabilities of a 1st-time truck builder. That could be a B-series Mack from the early 1930's.

I have this picture of the 1931 Minsheng, which seems more consistent with a country that entered the 20th century 3 decades later than most:

This is Zhi Bingyuan's 100 per cent Chinese truck from 1942. Zhi is regarded as the father of the Chinese machine and automobile industry. He saw the Minsheng truck (which was the puzzle car) and was shocked by the fact that the truck used a lof of American parts.
He started in 1935 and it took him 7 years to build his first truck. Engine, gearbox, steering mechanism, transmission all were made by himself. Only one truck was made.

The Minsheng was the brainchild of Daniel F Myers, an American engineer and a military company in Shenyang

Info by Erik van Ingen Schenau, Made in China - Automobiles made before World War II

Sorry to be almost two years late

[DeAutogids]

Sorry, but what is the "this"you started with?

[DeAutogids]

A Zhi Bingyuan. Interesting ! Now to find info on Hijiri .

[pnegyesi]

I started with Otto's reply No21.

[DeAutogids]

I started with Otto's reply No21.

Thanks! And Thanks!

[RayTheRat]

 

Any info on the id of the truck OP posted?

[pnegyesi]

OP posted in reply No 21 Zhi Bingyuan's truck which I described in my reply No27

[RayTheRat]

Thank you.

[Myers GD]

This is a great puzzle, pnegyesi. 
The article about the Minsheng truck that Erik van Ingen Schenau initiated and shepherded is now in print, in  Automotive History Review, Issue Number 54: "Made in China: Daniel F. Myers and the Minsheng Truck"

[pnegyesi]

Hi and welcome to AutoPuzzles. Yes, I've seen the magazine, it is a great article - congratulations

[DeAutogids]

This is a great puzzle, pnegyesi. 
The article about the Minsheng truck that Erik van Ingen Schenau initiated and shepherded is now in print, in  Automotive History Review, Issue Number 54: "Made in China: Daniel F. Myers and the Minsheng Truck"

Must be the stupidest question, but where to get it?

[Myers GD]

Good question. You can order a copy of Automotive History Review Issue No. 54 from The Society of Automotive Historians, Inc., 1102 Long Cove Road, Gales Ferry, CT 06335-1812 USA, $10.00 per copy postpaid.

[DeAutogids]

Thanks!
Considering I live in Europe, I am not sure if the price is right. Just double checking