Gallery: The 1,000-Mile Race of 1900 That Helped Prove Cars Trump Horses
courtesy Beaulieu01The race started at 6 am on April 23, 1900, from London's Hyde Park.
courtesy Beaulieu02Breakfast at Mr Alfred Harmsworth's Calcot Park
It was a civil affair: The contestants made regular stops, including breakfast in Alfred Harmsworth's Calcot Park.
courtesy Beaulieu03In Edinborough, the racers stopped for a group photo, before heading back to London.
courtesy Beaulieu04The race was, in a way, a public relations effort to show the public cars were safe and reliable.
courtesy Beaulieu05The contestants drove over 100 miles each day, an impressive rate for cars of the age.
courtesy Beaulieu06They also paused for speed trials and four hill climbs along the way.
courtesy Beaulieu07The top speed was set by Charles Stewart Rolls (as in Rolls-Royce), who took a 12-horsepower Panhard up to 37.63 mph.
courtesy Beaulieu08The Mayor of Newcastle made an appearance when the race stopped in his city.
courtesy Beaulieu09This was spring in the UK, so the weather wasn't always great.
courtesy Beaulieu10According to one newspaper account, the only casualties were one dog and one horse.
