Peking to Paris in a Model A

[Aerocraft]

The 9000 mile Peking to Paris Rally reached its conclusion last Saturday afternoon in Paris, France. What I find very interesting is that, though many cars were "retired" for a variety of reasons, the five Model A's entered all crossed the finish line. There were two '28 and one '29 Phaetons, one '30 Coupe and a Tudor.

The main web site is http://www.pekingparis.com From that page, there are many links to the rest of the site. I would encourage you to read the daily blogs that you will find under "Competitor Website Links".

I found one of the best blogs was the one written by Simon Mackenzie Smith who, with Rupert Marks, drove car number 23, a blue '28 Phaeton. Their site is http://www.blog.pekingparismodela.com/

One of the cars, a '29 Phaeton from Des Moines Iowa, completed the journey with a minimum of mechanical problems. Their website is http://www.pekingparis2010.com/

I am sure that you will enjoy the reading. Gar Williams

 

[Lawrie]

If you wanted to do the rally in an old car you wouldn.t use anything else but a Model A
Ford should be proud and it would make for good advertising,
Did any old Toyotas,Daewoos or Hyudias make the trip,
these cars have no heart, they may be reliable BUT so is my toaster.
Lawrie

 

[Aerocraft]

There were a number of new Toyotas following the crowd as support vehicles which also included two new Ford Rangers. Australians were well represented. Look at the following link to see the competitors and their countries. Gar Williams

http://www.pekingparis.com/entry.html

 

[Ken Ehrenhofer]

Hi Gar,
Great story thanks for sharing! WOW! Who do we contact for an article for the Model A News?
Ken

 

[Aerocraft]

Ken:

The closest contact would be the gentlemen from Des Moines with car number 19 http://www.pekingparis2010.com/ and their restorer from somewhere in PA. Apparently, it has been considered by other competitors as the "best prepared" Model A. I would very much enjoy reading the mechanics account of his prep of the '29 Phaeton.

The other possibility would be the owners of car number 23, Simon and Rupert who both are from England. http://www.blog.pekingparismodela.com/ Simon wrote what I considered one of the best Blogs and has a marvelous way with words that I found fascinating. Rupert is the genius that kept the car running and I would personally love to hear how he did such a great job.

Wouldn't it be neat to see at least car 19 at a National meet! Gar Williams