by A Chinese factory in the city of Baoying has started production of new steel bodies for popular classic cars. Each new panel begins with manual finishing of a die cut on a CNC machine. Next up are bodies for the Porsche 964 and Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing.
New life for classics
Not everything worthy of attention from Chinese factories today is new electric vehicles. In Baoying, a little-known company has built a business stamping new body panels for iconic cars like the Toyota AE86 and the original Ford Bronco. This is the metal that allows these cars to stay on the road long after the original manufacturer has stopped supporting them.
Who is behind the production
The company is called Jiangsu Juncheng Vehicle Industry Co. and is located about a three-hour drive north of Shanghai. The large facility stamps new steel panels for enthusiast-favorite cars. Toyota stopped mass-supplying parts for the AE86 years ago, and although it recently resumed production of some parts, keeping these cars roadworthy still falls to specialists like Juncheng.
How parts are created
When the company starts producing parts for a new model, it first develops the die used in the stamping process. For this, high-strength steel is cut on a CNC machine, and then an experienced craftsman manually grinds and polishes the die. The finished die is installed in a press, allowing quick stamping and shaping of each component.
Even the smallest details
Larry Chen from Hagerty recently visited the facility and saw the company stamping parts like the hood and door panels for the AE86. Production is not limited to large body parts. Juncheng also makes dies and stamps small brackets and fasteners needed to correctly reproduce each car.
From Bronco to “Gullwing”
Recently, a Ford Bronco body manufactured by Juncheng was used in a restomod in the USA and sold for $400,000. In addition to the Bronco and AE86, the company also produces body parts and complete bodies for the Datsun 240Z, Toyota Land Cruiser, 1967 Ford Mustang, and soon for the Porsche 911 generation 964. Furthermore, production of bodies for the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is planned.
This example shows how Chinese industry, known for mass production of modern electric cars, is simultaneously becoming an important player in the classic car restoration market. Thanks to companies like Juncheng, owners of rare models gain access to high-quality metal parts that official manufacturers no longer produce. This not only supports automotive heritage but also creates a new market segment where high quality and reproduction accuracy allow building restomods worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The expansion of the model range, including icons like the Porsche 911 and Mercedes 300 SL, indicates the company’s serious intention to become a global supplier for restorers worldwide.
