1912 Flanders Model 20 Roadster

The E-M-F- Company of Detroit, Michigan built automobiles from 1908 to 1912. The initials designated the last names of its founders: Barney Everitt, William Metzger, and Walter Flanders. The Everitt-Metzger-Flanders Company was announced on 3 June 1908 following the purchase of the Northern and Wayne companies along with their respective plants and equipment. William E. Kelly of Wayne became chief engineer.

The E-M-F was available in four models, all priced at $1,250 and powered by a four-cylinder engine offering 30 horsepower. The early cars were plagued by overheating issues, which were recalled and repaired. Production through 1909 totaled 8,132 units, increasing to 15,300 in 1910.

In 1909, Everitt left and took Kelly with him to build his own car. Flanders then convinced the Studebaker Brothers into buying the factory of the defunct DeLuxe Motor Company of Detroit. Beginning in 1910, the Flanders Model 20 was offered. It was a car that rested on a 100-inch wheelbase, had a 20-horsepower four-cylinder engine, and sold in the $750 price range. At this price point, Flanders intended to compete with Ford, his former employer. The Flanders was priced less than the Ford Model T. However, Ford kept lowering the price of its car.

Over the three model years of production, a total of 31,514 examples were built when Studebaker took over.

This particular example was part of the collection of Paul Teutul Jr. and once part of the Harrah Collection. Its history is largely unknown; it was likely restored in the 1970s. It currently wears a replica racer body.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2017