THE ITALA’S FEAT IN THE 1907 PEKING–PARIS RACE: THE GREATEST ADVENTURE IN AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY

This article was written during a visit to MAUTO, the National Automobile Museum in Turin.
Standing in front of the Itala 40 HP, still majestic in its mechanical elegance, we were struck by the extraordinary storytelling power of this car. Its history is more than a technical achievement: it is a tale of audacity, vision, and pioneering spirit. From this impression comes the desire to retrace the epic journey that made the Itala famous during the legendary 1907 Peking–Paris race.

Historical Context: A World Just Beginning to Understand the Automobile

In 1907, automobiles were far from everyday transportation. They were revolutionary objects—viewed with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Roads were uneven tracks, fuel was hard to find, and motorsport existed mostly in Europe on relatively short routes.

The idea for a race from Peking to Paris was launched by the French newspaper Le Matin, which issued a bold challenge:
“If anyone has the courage to drive from Peking to Paris, then let them start.”

Few responded, and among them stood the Turin-based Itala, already renowned for the quality of its cars.

The Itala 40 HP: A Masterpiece of Italian Engineering

The car chosen for this enterprise was the Itala 40 HP, modified specifically to withstand wild, roadless territories.

Main Technical Features

• Engine: 4-cylinder, 7,433 cc
• Power: 40 reliable mechanical horsepower
• Reinforced chassis for impacts and harsh vibrations
• Enlarged fuel tanks for long stretches without refueling
• Adapted suspension for sand, rocks, and mud

The Itala was imposing and heavy, built to endure where other cars would fail. At MAUTO, its powerful presence still conveys strength, solidity, and genius.

Scipione Borghese: The Right Man for an Impossible Mission

The expedition’s leader was Prince Scipione Borghese of Rome—a cultured man, a seasoned traveler, and a master of logistics. He wasn’t motivated merely by competition; he wanted to prove what an automobile could truly accomplish.

At his side were:

• Luigi Barzini, journalist for Corriere della Sera, documenting the adventure
• Ettore Guizzardi, a remarkably skilled mechanic capable of turning any metal piece into a solution

This unlikely trio became the perfect team.

Departure from Peking and the Entrance into the Gobi Desert

The race began on June 10, 1907. Within just a few miles, the “road” vanished, replaced by sand tracks, steppes, and unforgiving terrain. Mongolia and the Gobi Desert were among the most brutal sections.

Major Challenges

• No roads for hundreds of kilometers
• River crossings without bridges
• Deep sand swallowing vehicles
• Makeshift repairs in complete isolation
• Extreme temperature swings

While several competitors were forced to stop, the Itala pushed forward. Borghese had prepared fuel depots along the Trans-Siberian Railway and carefully studied maps, solving problems before they even appeared—something the others could not.

The Famous 500 km “Courtesy Detour”

One of the most unbelievable episodes was Borghese’s decision to make a 500 km detour to visit Russian authorities in Urga (modern Ulaanbaatar).

In the middle of the race, he calmly veered off course, confident in his enormous lead. No other competitor could have dared such a gesture.

European newspapers described the episode with astonishment and admiration—a perfect symbol of early, fearless motoring.

Siberia and the Triumph of Mechanics: Speeds Never Seen Before

Once the team reached Siberia, road conditions improved and the Itala could accelerate. In some stretches, it reached astonishing averages for the time—up to 90 km/h.

In small Russian villages, crowds gathered to see the “Italian automobile flying along the road.” Barzini’s vivid reports helped etch the adventure into global imagination.

A Triumphal Arrival in Paris

On August 10, 1907, the Itala 40 HP entered Paris to a cheering crowd.
The expedition was completed in 60 days, with only 45 days of actual driving—and with an extraordinary 20-day leadover the second-place finisher.

A winning margin never again matched in any international car race.

Why the Itala’s Feat Is Irreplicable

The 1907 Peking–Paris race was far more than a competition. It was a geographical, cultural, and technological exploration. Today, repeating such an endeavor under the same conditions would be impossible:

• Landscapes have changed
• Modern technology eliminates the sense of danger and discovery
• Roads now exist where there were none
• The pioneering spirit of the early 1900s cannot be recreated

The Itala triumphed thanks to perfect synergy: meticulous planning, mechanical robustness, and human courage.

The Itala’s Legacy and Its Historical Value Preserved at MAUTO

Today, the original car is preserved at the National Automobile Museum in Turin, beautifully restored. Seeing it in person reveals the magnitude of its achievement: the massive frame, the rugged lines, and the ingenious simplicity of its mechanics evoke a world where everything was yet to be invented.

Its legacy endures through:

• Reenactments of the Peking–Paris race
• Historical research
• Museum exhibitions
• Events celebrating Italian engineering

For MAUTO visitors, the Itala is not just a vehicle—it’s a symbol of what human ingenuity can accomplish.

The Itala’s victory in the 1907 Peking–Paris race remains one of the most memorable feats in the entire history of motoring.
Writing this article surrounded by MAUTO’s collection and standing face to face with the legendary car, we were moved and inspired.

The Itala 40 HP didn’t simply win a race—it proved that the automobile could conquer borders, deserts, steppes, and cultural oceans.
An indelible testament to Italian talent and the pioneering spirit of the early Twentieth Century.