 1909 Flyer K6-70 | 1911 Model K-670 Flyabout  |
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1910 Thomas Flyer K6-70 news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | 7-Passenger Touring Chassis Num: 204 |
| High bid of $675,000 at 2009 RM Auctions. (did not sell) High bid of $450,000 at 2009 RM Auctions. (did not sell) | |||
Sales literature claimed the 1909 Thomas was the most powerful, complete and luxurious stock car made. Superiority was not due to any single item but a result of attention to every detail that earned its rank as the world's most perfect car. Thomas offered four lines in 1909 and the K 6-70 was the largest.
The engine is a 784 cubic inch, 6-cylinder, developing 70 horsepower with 5 and 1/2 inch bore and 5 and 1/2 inch stroke.
Erwin R. Thomas, like so many other automobile pioneers of the time, had come into the automobile business through bicycles, in Thomas' case the Cleveland bicycle constructed in both Cleveland and Toronto. He had using single-cylinder gasoline engines to power bicycles during the mid-1890s. These were called the Thomas Auto-Bi, built in a new factory in Buffalo, New York starting in 1900. Automobile manufacturing soon followed.
The first Thomas automobiles were built in 1902, fitted with an air-cooled single-cylinder engine with 3.5 or 6 horsepower. These runabouts were given a three-speed sliding gear transmission instead of the simpler two-speed planetary transmission. During their first year of production, production reached 100 units. With these promising sales figures, Thomas undertook construction of a new three-story factory.
By 1903, the Packard automobiles were using steering wheels. By 1904, a 3-cylinder inline vertical engine rated at 24 ALAM horsepower could be found powering the Packards. It was given the name 'Flyer', a name that would stick with the company and immortalized as the victor in the 1908 New York to Paris race.
The three-cylinder 'Flyer' was followed in 1904 by a four-cylinder engine that offered 40 horsepower. Production increased to 400. While Thomas was offering this powerful vehicle, they were working on a six-cylinder engine that would offer 60 horsepower. This engine would continue Thomas's reputation as being built to the highest standards of design, construction and materials. The public recognized this and by 1906, Thomas had 1,514 orders in hand for cars. Expansion continued in 1907 with the introduction of the Thomas-Detroit, and then the legendary Model K 6-70. With 72.6 ALAM horsepower and touring coachwork that brought the final price to over $6,000, the Model K 6-70 was a very impressive, powerful, and comfortable automobile. They were built on a large 140-inch wheelbase and given semi-elliptical front and three-quarter elliptical rear springs.
The 784 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine had each cylinder cast individually with T-head combustion chambers. Dual ignition is provided by a trembler spark generator to plugs located on the intake side of the combustion chamber and a magneto which sparks plugs located above the intake valve.
There is a four-speed sliding gear transmission with a 3-disc clutch. There is an integral differential splitting the drive to the dual chain drive countershafts. Braking is by contracting band on the countershaft which supplements the expanding show drum brakes at each of the rear wheels.
There are only two known original Thomas 6-70 models known to exist. This example's first owners were the Weverton family. Years later it was in the collection of Bill Harrah in Reno/Sparks where it shared honors with the original New York-Paris Thomas Flyer. It was a feature in the Automobile Quarterly Volume VIII, Number 4. It is currently painted in Thomas Red paint, has a tall black top, and black leather upholstery. There are acetylene headlights, kerosene sidelights, Prest-o-Lite tank on the right running board, radiator shell and tall windshield.
This vehicle has been shown at the Meadow Brook Concours on two occasions and was on-hand for the Thomas celebration at the 2008 Amelia Island Concours.
In 2009, this Model 6-70 was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Arizona auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $900,000 - $1,100,000. The lot failed to sell after receiving a high bid of $675,000.
Later that year, it was offered for sale at the Sports & Classics of Monterey auction in Monterey, California presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $700,000-$900,000. The lot failed to sell after achieving a high bid of $450,000.
The Erwin Ross (E.R.) Thomas Motor Company produced automobiles from 1902 through 1919. Production transpired in Buffalo, New York. The first cars produced by the company appeared in 1903 and were mostly small runabouts with seating for two. The company had begun like so many other auto-manufacturing firms at the time - through a bicycle business. Thomas had been building bicycles for several companies before making the switch to automotive production.
The first E.R. Thomas Motor cars were powered by a vertically-mounted water-cooled straight-three cylinder engine that produced just over 20 horsepower. The engine was mated to a two-speed planetary gearbox.
As times progressed, so did the E.R. Thomas Motor Cars. The Company did much to promote their vehicles and to attract customers, such as painting the cars in bright and attractive colors. The cars became more powerful and elegant and became renowned for their reliability and endurance.
In 1908, an E.R. Thomas Car was entered into 'The Great Race' which ran from New York to Paris. The decision was made at the last minute and there was little time to properly adapt the car for the race. Instead, the company pulled one from the production line and entered it into the race. The race began at New York during the winter and proceeded for San Francisco. The entrants then loaded onto a boat and traveled to Alaska and then Siberia. Once they arrived at Siberia, the race continued.
The Race was actually won in 169 days, and covered 22,000 miles. 13341 miles were actually driven. At the conclusion of the race, ending in Paris, it was an E.R. Thomas in first place, claiming the overall victory.
Demand for the E.R. Thomas Motor cars increased after the heroic victory. In 1911, the company only produced six-cylinder cars. Within a year, the car had entered into receivership and purchased by C.A. Finnegan of the Empire Smelting Company.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2008
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThe first E.R. Thomas Motor cars were powered by a vertically-mounted water-cooled straight-three cylinder engine that produced just over 20 horsepower. The engine was mated to a two-speed planetary gearbox.
As times progressed, so did the E.R. Thomas Motor Cars. The Company did much to promote their vehicles and to attract customers, such as painting the cars in bright and attractive colors. The cars became more powerful and elegant and became renowned for their reliability and endurance.
In 1908, an E.R. Thomas Car was entered into 'The Great Race' which ran from New York to Paris. The decision was made at the last minute and there was little time to properly adapt the car for the race. Instead, the company pulled one from the production line and entered it into the race. The race began at New York during the winter and proceeded for San Francisco. The entrants then loaded onto a boat and traveled to Alaska and then Siberia. Once they arrived at Siberia, the race continued.
The Race was actually won in 169 days, and covered 22,000 miles. 13341 miles were actually driven. At the conclusion of the race, ending in Paris, it was an E.R. Thomas in first place, claiming the overall victory.
Demand for the E.R. Thomas Motor cars increased after the heroic victory. In 1911, the company only produced six-cylinder cars. Within a year, the car had entered into receivership and purchased by C.A. Finnegan of the Empire Smelting Company.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2008
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 1910
Thomas
models |
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Average Auction Sale: $36,300 |
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| 6-40 6-70 |
| 1909 Flyer K6-70 | 1911 Model K-670 Flyabout |
