This is one of the longest and toughest challenges undertaken in a classic car.

The first race in 1907 was entirely off-road without maps, rules, passports or garages. Competitors were all vying for the prize -- a magnum of Champagne -- and, of course, the glory.

Beijing - Ulaan Baatar - Novosibirsk - Kiev - Krakow - Bratislava - Salzburg - Gstaad - Paris.

"What needs to be proved today is that as long as a man has a car, he can do anything and go anywhere. Is there anyone who will undertake to travel this summer from Peking to Paris by automobile?"

The 1940 Ford Coupe is a classic American WWII model.

The V8-powered Model B was the getaway car of bank robbers Bonnie & Clyde. Clyde wrote to Henry Ford: “...even if my business hasen't been strickly legal it don't hurt enything to tell you what a fine car you got in the V8”.

Mike Reeves and Michelle Jana Chan.

Michelle was working as a journalist in China during the mid-90s when she first heard about the rally -- and has since been seeking a co-driver for this transcontinental adventure. Mike has always had a passion for fast cars.

Hurray! We have arrived in the murk of Beijing. We forgot the car keys. Just kidding. Not. Don't ask. We have a day to buy everything we didn't have time to buy before leaving London -- including rechargeable battery charger, watercolours, shoes, sunglasses, various cables that probably don't exist, a good luck snake, rice wine, chilli sauce and insurance against ourselves. Follow the adventure here and at www.telegrah.co.uk.