1908 Thomas Flyer F at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Antique Through 1915

American Classic Open 1925-1931

American Classic Open 1932-1941

American Classic Convertible Victoria

American Classic Closed 1925-1941

European Classic 1925-1939 Closed

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Ferrari Grand Touring

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Voisin Early 1927-1933

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Postwar Custom Coachwork Touring

Mid-Engined Show Cars, Prototypes, and Concept Cars

Cars that Raced in the Forest (Pebble Beach Road Races)

Postwar Sports and Racing

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Antique Through 1915 Vehicles

1903 Clement Rear Entry Tonneau

1907 Auburn Model K

1908 Thomas Flyer F

1911 Oldsmobile Limited

1913 Benz 82/200HP

1913 Stutz Series B

1913 Waverley Electric Model 93

Information on the 1908 Thomas Flyer F

More photographs of the 1908 Thomas Flyer F

This 1908 Thomas Flyer has a Atwater Kent Switch which and was among the earliest automotive examples to use this technology. The Atwater Kent Manufacturing Company has roots that date back to 1896, when A. Atwater Kent left the Worcester Technical Institute in Massachusetts prematurely to start his own business. The business began in his fathers machine shop where he created and sold small electrical items. Kent traveled to Philadelphia on a business trip in 1902 and upon arriving, made the decision to rent a space and relocate his operations to that facility, and continue the production of electrical products. By 1906, Kent he created an ignition system for the automobile which created a single large spark from a series of smaller sparks. The system was dubbed the Unispark and became an integral part of the automobile in the years to come. The success of this venture soon had him creating many other parts for the automobile.

This car has seating for four and a side-mounted tire located on the drivers side. The Thomas Flyer's were very impressive machines. The early examples were powered by four-cylinder engines that were capable of producing an astonishing sixty-horsepower and could propel the cars to speeds of 60 mph. At around $4,000, they were among the more expensive machines on the market, but well worth the price.

This car is in similar configuration to the vehicle that was taken off the show-room floor and driven from New York to Paris in 'The Great Race'. The car was basically stock, except it was given extra gas tanks, additional spare tires, and a few other minor modifications. The car was driven 12,427 land miles in 170 days and straight into the history books. The car had proven reliability and the Thomas marque took full advantage of this wonderful accomplishment, advertising it in sales literature and using it as a tool to promote their product.

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