Friday 21st August 1903

America’s first transcontinental motor race, stretching from New York City to San Francisco, finished. It was won by Tom Fetch and M. C. Karrup in two Model F Packards, having travelled an average of 80 miles per day for 51 days. The two travellers generated great interest as they drove through many rural areas where automobiles were a rare sight. In one instance, a couple of Nebraska farmers, suspicious of the vehicles, threatened Fetch and Karrup with shotguns.