Gerry Crown carefully maneuvered himself through the roll cage and into the driver’s seat of his 1974 Leyland and started the engine for the last time before arriving in Paris. Having traveled nearly 8,500 miles across Asia and Europe, only 177 more divided the 87-year-old Australian from victory.

Together with his co-driver, Matt Bryson, 38, Crown was competing in the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge. At 36 days on the road, it is regarded as the longest and toughest race for classic and collectible cars.

I signed up as a chronicler and participant, teaming up with my father, Mario, an automotive engine designer, to race in a 1955 Citroën Traction Avant. We finished in 49th place, but the satisfaction came in just making it to Paris, even though there were times we thought we wouldn’t.

First run in 1907, the Peking to Paris race was originally intended to test the endurance of the newly emerging automobile. The route between Beijing and Paris had never been driven before; a large chunk of the way was missing roads. Political obstacles made the race impossible in later years, though re-enactments and variations were held from time to time. The road rally enthusiast Philip Young revived the race in 1997, and since 2007 it has taken place every three years.