1910 Thomas Flyer M6-40

Many bicycle manufacturers at the turn of the century switched to motorcar production, and that includes Erwin Ross (E.R.) Thomas. He was the managing director during the 189s0 for the Cleveland bicycle builder, H.A. Lozier & Company. With the newly evolving automobile gaining popularity, he left Lozier to take over the Buffalo Automobile and Auto-Bi company, which was renowned for its bicycles and motorcycle engines. The company's name was changed by E.R. to Thomas Auto-Bi, and by 1901 Thomas claimed to build more air-cooled motors than any other manufacturer. By 1903 they were building 'French Front' single-cylinder voiturettes followed a year later by a raised radiator three-cylinder car which birthed the term 'Flyer.'

The high point in the Thomas Flyer legacy came in 1908, in the Le Matin sponsored 'The Great Race.' Beginning in winter, the route went from New York to San Francisco, then by ship to Alaska, and across the Bering Strait, either by ship or by ice to Siberia. After many more miles, countries, mountains, and rivers, the race ended in Paris.

E.R. Thomas decided to enter a car as a last-minute decision. Three days before the start of the race, a stock 1907 model was selected from the factory lot. With minimal changes or modifications, the car completed the 13,341-mile journey, taking 171 days to complete. It arrived in Paris before any of the other entries and forever cemented its place in history. The accomplishment boosted sales, and in September of 1909, Thomas introduced the light six Model M for the 1910 model year.

The Model M was a development of the previous year's Model L, with the previous L-head engine being replaced by a new T-head design. The engine was larger, requiring a bigger radiator and hood. It was a 440 cubic-inch inline six-cylinder unit fitted with a single carburetor developing 64 horsepower at 1,500 RPM and backed by a three-speed manual transmission. The suspension was comprised of leaf springs, and drum brakes provided the stopping power.

To demonstrate the power and durability of the new six-cylinder engine, a stock Model M was taken off the show floor, and all of its gears were removed from the transmission, except high and reverse. It was then driven from Buffalo over the Berkshires, the White Mountains, the Green Mountains, and the Adirondacks and back to Buffalo, all in high gear.

Production of the Model M continued over the next few years, and by 1912 it had acquired an extra inch in the wheelbase and an MC designation.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2020