Berlin serves as the send-off point in January 1908 as Köppen sits aboard the Protos, bundled up and goggled, with the car’s body draped in canvas and bold lettering that reads “New-York” and “Protos–Berlin.” A dense crowd presses close to the vehicle, their dark coats and hats forming a human wall around the machine, turning a simple departure into a public spectacle. The improvised look—tarpaulin, exposed framework, and strapped-on gear—hints at how experimental long-distance motoring still was on the eve of the Great New York to Paris Auto Race.
Along the side, the signage functions like early motorsport advertising and navigation rolled into one, broadcasting destination and identity to onlookers and photographers alike. The drivers’ heavy clothing and prominent eyewear underscore the harsh conditions expected on open roads, where wind, grit, and cold were constant companions. In front, the “New York–Paris” placard ties this moment to the larger international challenge, with Berlin positioned as a vital staging step on the route toward embarkation and the Atlantic crossing.
Few images convey the blend of ambition and uncertainty that defined pioneering auto racing quite like this one, where engineering, endurance, and public fascination collide in a single street scene. For readers exploring historic photos of the 1908 New York to Paris race, this departure shot captures the ritual of preparation: the last checks, the crowded farewell, and the silent promise of miles ahead. It’s a vivid reminder that early motorsport was as much about logistics and courage as it was about speed.