The Great Race... [PIC]

Inspired by the 1907 Peking to Paris race, a more ambitious event was conceived. Starting from Times Square in February 12, 1908, six entrants would head west to Nome Alaska, be ferried across the Bering Straight to East Cape, Siberia, head south to be transported to Japan, then back to mainland Chine and ultimately to Paris. The winning car was this 1907 Thomas Flyer making the over 10,000 mile trip in 169 days. The German "Protos" arrived 4 days earlier but was penalized 30 days for skipping Japan and having the car partially transported by rail. The other finishing entrant was an Italian "Zust" which finished almost two months later. All three French cars never made it to Vladivostok.

This diorama, or vignette, was made to fit into a Testors 1/18 display case as it was the only one high enough to accommodate the flag. It shows the Thomas Flyer on a dirt road having its radiator topped off and having some gear stowed.