1903 Thomas Rear Entrance Tonneau

The irony of the Thomas Flyer Company was that it was fostered by a man who had 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.

This car was acquired by Harold Coker in the 1990s from William S. Abbott in Godfrey, Illinois. It is reported that this car was driven from New York to St. Louis for the 1904 World's Fair, where it was used as part of a Fair and was known as 'The Red Devil.' A short time later, its first owner, who lived in Union, Missouri, determined that the single-cylinder Thomas was now powerful enough to climb the hill to his home. Following complaints, the car was returned to the E.R. Thomas Company. Since they did not have a suitable powerplant, a more powerful twin-cylinder Buick unit of a similar era was installed.

While in Mr. Coker's care, a restoration was begun with hopes of returning it to its original specification. The Buick engine was removed, and a new single-cylinder unit was recast from patterns made from an original 1903 Thomas. The former Buick two-cylinder motor was sold, and the proceeds were used to help fund the restoration. Since the restoration, the car has been shown by the Coker family at various concours and events, most recently at the Atlanta Concours d'Elegance in 2018.