The Great Race of 1908... [PIC]

A race from New York City to Paris, France seems like it would involved a leisurely Atlantic crossing by steamer... unless you have to travel west to get there. The field of entries were from France (DeDion-Bouton, Motobloc, Sizaire-Naudin), Germany (Protos), Italy (Züst) and America (a 1907 Thomas Flyer).  The race began in February, 1908 in the dead of winter with virtually no highway infrastructure with the only sea borne scheduled was a short hop over the Bering Straight to Siberia, Only the Protos, the Züst and the Thomas made it to Vladivostok, and from there. the Spring rains made things even more difficult. When possible, the cars rode on railroad ties on balloon tires to cut through the more difficult terrain. The German Protos reached Paris 4 days ahead of the Thomas who arrived on July 30, but was docked 30 days because it was part way transported by rail, making the Thomas Flyer the winner by 26 days after travelling some 16,700 miles. The Italian Züst finally arrived in September. Amazingly. George Shuster was the sole driver for the Thomas. That Thomas Flyer still exists today on display.

I always wanted a model of this historic automobile and already envisioned a small diorama or vignette housed in a display case. During one of Franklin Mint's annual get-togethers. I spent the afternoon stuffing the wish-list ballot box for the Thomas Flyer and... it worked!!! The model got some paint detailing and weathering and placed in groundwork that simulated a worn wagon trail. To of the figures were scratch sculpted and the other two were  1/24 Ju87 Stuka pilot and gunner found in a dumpster that were converted and clothed.

Here's 1st, 2nd and 3rd:

 and a French also-ran: