Flanders Model 20

From 1909 through 1912 the American-based EMF Company produced automobiles. It was founded by Barney Everitt, Willaim Metzger, and Walter Flanders. Taking the first letter of each individual's surname brought about 'E-M-F'. All three had been in the automotive business prior to the formation of their company. Flanders had been a production manager for Henry Ford. Metzger had worked with Cadillac and Everitt was a custom auto bodybuilder.

The company struck a deal with Studebaker to sell its vehicles through the established Studebaker dealerships. The E-M-F vehicles were not known for their quality and often suffered from mechanical failures. This led John Studebaker to cancel his association with the EMF Company. In an effort to resurrect the Studebaker name and to appease angry customers, he sent mechanics to visit the unsatisfied owners and to repair any damaged or defective parts. The rebuilding cost Studebaker around a million dollars.

The E-M-F Company continued to produce vehicles until 1912. If quality had not been an issue, the Company was poised to have been one of the greats. By 1909 they were fourth in automotive production in the United States, ahead of fifth-place Cadillac. In 1911 they produced nearly 27,000 vehicles making them second in overall assemblies.

For a short period in history, the Flanders Automobile Company produced a smaller version of the E-M-F vehicle. Later, the company was absorbed by the Maxwell Motor Company.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2010