NF500 / automobile club

Fiat’s new 500 city car will accompany a vintage Itala on a 16,000 trip to mark the 100th anniversary of its victory in the 1907 Beijing to Paris race.

The 2007 tip will run in reverse order of the original and start from Paris on July 20, to finish on September 20 in the Chinese capital’s central Tiananmen Square.

The 500 will be part of a caravan accompanying the classic Itala which will also include the orange trucks of Italy s Overland World Truck Expedition.

Organizers the Italian Automobile Club (ACI) explained that Paris was chosen as the start rather than the finish because of the changes in the geopolitical situation over the past 100 years.  Whereas Paris in 1907 was one of the world’s great cultural capitals, in 2007 China has emerged as a major power thanks to its incredible economic expansion.

The original 7433cc 35/45hp Itala which won the 1907 race was driven by Count Scipione Borghese and journalist Luigi Barzini.

For further information and some terrific Historical footage and photography visit the Parigi-Pechino website.