Berlin’s winter streets became a stage for modern daring as Koeppen readied his Protos car for the long journey toward embarkation and the New York–Paris Auto Race of 1908. The machine in the foreground wears its purpose plainly, with “NEW-YORK–PARIS” emblazoned across the front and “PROTOS–BERLIN” marking the side, turning engineering into a public declaration. Crowds press close around the vehicle, faces intent, as if trying to measure what it meant to chase an intercontinental finish line in the early days of motoring.
Packed equipment and a covered rear section hint at the logistics behind this “sports” spectacle—less a Sunday drive than a rolling expedition. The solid wheels, exposed mechanical details, and sturdy build speak to an era when reliability was uncertain and improvisation was part of the plan. In a single frame, the photograph captures the mixture of publicity, preparation, and raw curiosity that surrounded pioneering auto competitions.
For readers exploring the Great New York to Paris race through historic photos, this departure scene offers an essential prologue: excitement before the ocean crossing, optimism before the hardships of distance and terrain. It’s a striking reminder of how early international motor racing blended technology, endurance, and national pride, drawing ordinary onlookers into an unfolding global story. As an archival moment from January 1908, it invites a closer look at the people, machines, and ambitions that helped define the automobile age.