I had never heard of this race.
Not quite as long as New York to Paris I guess.

I wonder what kind of cars were in the race. I thought I had heard of most of the early endurance runs but not this one. Were there any American vehicles in it?

I did a little more research. There is also a book about the race,
Here is another postcard:
It needs a translation.

Here is a link to a very good re-enactment that some Australian's were involved with. There is a DVD of the event.

Best regards, John

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/pekingtoparis/

One of my favorite books is "The Mad Motorists" by Allen Andrews. This is the story of the Peking to Paris race. When it was completed it served as the impetus for the New York to Paris the following year.

The American in the Race, Charles Godard, drove a Spyker. He resorted to all kinds of shenanigans to get into/keep in the rally. The backers of the "raid" had him arrested just short of Berlin and placed in jail to keep him from winning. Another driver took the Spyker the last little bit to Paris. It was the only car to make it without replacing any parts.

The Peking to Paris was tougher than the New York to Paris and had much more exciting occurrences. It would make a fascinating documentary, nothing like the silly Blake Edwards thing sort of about the New York to Paris.

Godard was entered in the New York to Paris in a Motobloc car which had trouble crossing the U.S.A. He came in to San Francisco with the car on the train and was disqualified.

TH

The latest Peking to paris rallye was run 2013. I remember especially a Ford Model T then. It performed surprisingly well.
If you like to know more, use this link
http://www2.endurorally.com/
Best regards, Sven

I could have given You a direct link to a Model T running 2013.
http://www2.endurorally.com/pp2013/reports.html
and the final results http://www2.endurorally.com/pp2013/results.php
Best regards, Sven

A few links related to this topic:

http://www.unmuseum.org/autorace.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/pekingtoparis/txt/s1361769.htm

http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/beijing-paris-motor-race

http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/07/1907-spyker-charles-godard-and-jean-du.h tml


If this fires your interest I recommend you get a copy of Andrew's book.

TH

That was myself and my partner, Nadja, in the Peking to Paris last year. We took a 1913 T with (loose) replica body work from the 1909 New York to Seattle race - winning car number 2. And yes, we did better then most people expected, with a lot less trouble then many other competitors. We never missed a dinner!
Attached is a snapshot of us at a checkpoint in Mongolia.

First postcard

The challenge of "Le Matin", June August 1907
Mr Victor Collignon, conqueror of the raid, on his 10HP De Dion Bouton fitted with Dunlop Tyres. On his left, mechanic Bizac.

Second postcard

Before Huailai, Collignon's car is bogged.