Rio Itala Peking-Paris 1907 Winner Borghese/Guizzardi Vintage 1970s Diecast 1:43

Lovely diecast model with plastic parts made in the 1970s by Rio. Diecast metal body painted pale grey, “PARIGI” (Paris) lettering in black on the bonnet, “PECHINO” (Peking) lettering in black on the sides of the rear fuel tanks, dark grey plastic chassis, brass plated plastic radiator surround, headlights, horn, handbrake, gear lever, fuel and water tank caps, chrome fuel pump, white black radiator grille with brass Itala 1907 script, brown bonnet strap, brown wood-effect firewall/dashboard, metal steering column with black 4-spoke steering wheel and controls, grey seat surrounds with black textured seats, 2 spare tyres (Pirelli) with rope securing ties, black, rear-mounted fuel tank, black rear axle and propshaft, silver engine and hand crank, red-brown 12-spoke wheels with rubber tyres.

The Itala Company was formed in 1904, in Turin, by Matteo Ceirano and Guido Bigio. One of Italy's leading car brands before WW1, Itala are not as popular as Lancia, Ferrari or Alfa Romeo but their cars were usually reliable and although not as powerful as some, and sometimes heavier than others, they did have success.

Like many motor manufacturers Itala saw the benefits of competing in motor sports and started making very large engined racing cars In 1905. These vehicles had big engines a 14.8 Litre 5 cylinder model which won the 1905 Coppa Florio a year later winning the inaugural Targa Florio. 1907 saw Count Scipione Borghese driving a 7,433 cc, 35/45hp model, win the Peking to Paris motor race, by three weeks. This was backed up by a win in the Coppa della Velocita too.

The 1907 endurance race between Peking (now Beijing) in China and Paris, France, was probably the most epic event in the history of early motor racing. It was first multi-continental race of unprecedented length and difficulty. Five cars have started the race on 10 June 1907 in Peking – one Itala, two de Dions, one Spyker and one three-wheeler Contal cyclecar. The Itala was driven by Prince Scipione Borghese and Ettore Giuzzardi accompanied by the journalist Luigi Barzini. Dutch Spyker crew consisted of Charles Godard and Jean du Taillis. French de Dions were driven by Georges Cormier and Victor Collingnon, and the cyclecar was piloted by Auguste Pons. The route of the race went through Mongolia, along the entire Russian Empire via Irkutsk, Omsk, Kazan, Moscow, St. Petersburg, to Berlin and finally to Paris. Italian car with its 7-litre engine was the most technically advanced car in the race. Prince Borghese’s team arrived to Paris on 10 August 1907 after 16 000 km two-months journey full of adventures and difficulties. Godard in the Spyker finished 20 days later. De Dions by Cormier and Collignon also were able to reach Paris, while Contal came to grief somewhere in the Gobi Desert.

RIO Models is an Italian manufacturer specializing in high-quality 1:43 scale diecast and plastic model cars, with a primary focus on replicating classic road and racing vehicles from the early 20th century, particularly pre-1940s automotive icons such as Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, and Itala models tied to historical races and drivers.

Founded in 1962 by the Tattarletti brothers (Reno, Nilo, and Diego) in Cernobbio, Italy, the company began producing detailed miniatures of vintage automobiles, emphasizing historical accuracy over mass-market toys, and quickly gained a reputation among collectors for its handcrafted quality and attention to period-specific details like engines, chassis, and liveries. Production initially operated as an independent family venture, releasing limited runs of models from the 1900s to the 1930s, including notable replicas like the 1902 Ford 999 and the 1932 Alfa Romeo P3.

In 2004, RIO Models was acquired by M4 Models, based in Pesaro, Italy—producers of the related Art Model and Best Model lines—leading to enhanced production techniques, re-issues of classic molds with improved detailing (such as added photo-etch parts and rubber elements), and an expansion into military vehicles while maintaining the core emphasis on ceremonial and historical cars. Under M4 ownership, models continue to be hand-assembled in Italy, appealing to serious enthusiasts with their museum-like fidelity and limited-edition releases.

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