Not only is it departing to the Peking to Paris rally from Cressy's Lake House, but it's being driven by entrepreneur Rob Sherrard in aid of the Tasmanian Devil Appeal.

The white, sponsor- tattooed 1974 Citroen DS 23 could be the youngest car in the rally - and with a touch-up from original driver Jim Reddiex, Mr Sherrard said he's feeling confident.

"I got in contact with Jim, and it turns out he still had the car," Mr Sherrard said.

"I asked if he'd sell it and he said that maybe he would - he's also helped prepare the car for the rally.

"It's all exactly how it was back then, the motor, everything, except for some new electronics that we've had to fit to it, GPS, that sort of thing."

The car is expected to draw significant media attention while on the rally, especially from its home in France.

It's added significant weight to the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, according to appeal chairman Michael Aird.

"Rob was planning to do the rally and we approached him for sponsorship, and he was willing to help out," Mr Aird said.

He said they already had corporate backing, and would approach companies from the motorsport world to tie in with the appeal.

The 32-day rally begins in May.