 In 1907, an 18 hp model competed in the 15,000 km Peking to Paris monster race, finishing second in the most gruelling race of its time.Hendrik-Jan Spijker died in 1907 on his return journey from England when the ferry he was on, the SS Berlin, sank, and this loss led to the bankruptcy of the original company.A group of investors bought the company and restarted production, but Jacobus Spijker was no longer involved.