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1908 Thomas Flyer F news, pictures, and information | ||
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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.
After a brief run of three-cylinder cars, the Thomas Flyers were introduced in 1905, in 40, 50 and 60 horsepower variants. This was an impressive accomplishment for a company who, just two years prior, had been producing one-cylinder cars. These new T-head four-cylinder motors had four individually cast jugs lined up on an alloy crankcase. The T-head design was chosen to produce good cross flow breathing. The short stroke allowed the engine to rev freely.
The four-cylinder engine design was popular for performance-minded companies in the pre-War era. Companies, such as Simplex, Mercedes, and Mercer, valued the 4-cylinders for their flexibility and lack of destructive vibration that large engines often experienced.
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 lasted 171 days and covered 13,300 miles. 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. The company continued to produce cars through 1916, after which, the cars were able to be special ordered. It is believed that the company continued until 1918 or 1919.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2010
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.
After a brief run of three-cylinder cars, the Thomas Flyers were introduced in 1905, in 40, 50 and 60 horsepower variants. This was an impressive accomplishment for a company who, just two years prior, had been producing one-cylinder cars. These new T-head four-cylinder motors had four individually cast jugs lined up on an alloy crankcase. The T-head design was chosen to produce good cross flow breathing. The short stroke allowed the engine to rev freely.
The four-cylinder engine design was popular for performance-minded companies in the pre-War era. Companies, such as Simplex, Mercedes, and Mercer, valued the 4-cylinders for their flexibility and lack of destructive vibration that large engines often experienced.
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 lasted 171 days and covered 13,300 miles. 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. The company continued to produce cars through 1916, after which, the cars were able to be special ordered. It is believed that the company continued until 1918 or 1919.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2010
 |  |  | Tourabout |
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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2007
 |  |  | Tourabout Chassis Num: F 1526 Engine Num: 1631 |
| Sold for $733,000 at 2010 Bonhams. | |||
The next owner was Joe Tracy, who later sold it to the Thompson Products Company, which would be the basis of the Crawford/Western Reserve Historical Society Museum collection in Cleveland, Ohio. The collection soon grew, and by 1951, the Thomas was de-accessioned. C.F. Greiner, a former worker for E.R. Thomas, purchased the car for $300. A restoration soon followed and two or three years later, the Historical Society exercised their 'first right of refusal' and re-acquired the car. The car would remain in that collection until 1990.
In 1990, part of the collection was brought to the market, including the Thomas. It was purchased by a new collector named Vijay Mallya of the Kingfisher Breweries fame. Mr. Mallya retained the car for a few years in the U.K. before selling it with the Brooks/Bonhams team to the current owner.
In 2010, the car was offered for sale at the Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia auction presented by Bonhams. It was sold for $733,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2010
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