Thomas Rear Entrance, 1903 Rear Entrance | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

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The irony of the Thomas Flyer Company was that it was fostered by a man who never actually learned to drive a motor car. Founded in Buffalo, NY, in 1900, by Edwin Ross Thomas, the company began by building bicycles and motorcycles. Car production began in 1902, in a new factory; the first model was a light single-cylinder car, joined soon after by a twin-cylinder, and in 1903 by a three-cylinder car with a DeDion-type bonnet. When this example was discovered, it had an incorrect engine and transmission. It had what turned out to be one of only two 1904 Buick engines in existence - Buick only produced 37 cars in 1904. After much searching, a correct engine was located, and the restoration was completed after manufacturing several of the 'impossible-to-find' parts required.

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 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.