1910 Thomas Flyer M6-40 Tourabout

This 1910 Thomas Model M-6-40 Flyabout was acquired around 1950 by Captain Lew Schaefer of Old Westbury, New York, after having been found by Henry Austin Clark, Jr. in Mike Caruso's Hicksville junkyard. At the time, it is believed that the car was largely intact with a hood, front fenders, firewall, and running boards. Photographs at the time display the car wearing a traditional touring body. While in the care of Captain Schaefer, the car received a raceabout body.

Captain Schaefer used the Thomas in many regional meets with the Long Island Old Car Club and on the national Glidden Tour. Around 1954, it was sold to Paul Rutherford, Jr., who had the car painted white and toured with it until 1959. That year, he was driving the Thomas on a local road when he swerved to avoid a dog and went into a ditch. The damaged bodywork was replaced with a lightweight four-passenger Flyabout style. Photos, blueprints, and many original parts were used during the transformation. A full restoration was later performed between 1966 and 1967 by John Caperton III of Top Brass, Inc. in Louisville, Kentucky.

The car entered the care of its current caretakers in June of 1976.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2021