1910 Thomas Flyer K6-70

Erwin Ross (E. R.) Thomas transitioned from a bicycle business to manufacturing automobiles during the early 1900s, following a similar path taken by many other pioneering contemporaries of the era. He was the managing director for H. A. Lozier & Co. during the 1890s, a company that produced the Cleveland bicycles. After leaving Lozier, he took over the Buffalo Automobile and Auto-Bi company, which was known for its production of bicycles and motorcycle engines. The company's name was changed in 1900 to Thomas Auto-Bi, and within a year, E.R. Thomas claimed to build more air-cooled motors than anyone else. They would produce cars in Buffalo, New York, from 1903 to 1918, with automobile racing a big contributor to the company's success.

The first Thomas automobiles were introduced in 1903. They were mid-priced, small runabouts resting on a 78-inch wheelbase chassis powered by a single-cylinder engine offering approximately eight horsepower. It used a three-speed sliding gear transmission, roller bearing axles, and chain drive. The following year introduced a three-cylinder model dubbed the 'Flyer.' While the previous model had an unconventional sloping hood design covering a gilled-tube radiator, the Flyer embraced a more common design and configuration. The price tag of the Flyer was (circa) twice the cost of the preceding model. An even more expensive followed in 1905, and the large four-cylinder car was called the Thomas Flyer which would quickly gain notoriety for being one of the faster and more flamboyant Touring cars of its era. They wore bright colors and were adorned with lavish ornate brass accessories. The 1907 sales catalogue boasted 'You can't go by a Thomas Flyer, so go buy one!'

The car and company became notorious for winning the most formidable endurance race of all time - the 1908 New York to Paris Race with Geroge Schuster and Montague Roberts traversing the 13,341-mile distance in 171 days. The 1908 Le Matin-sponsored 'The Great Race' route began in New York in the dead of winter and cross the United States to San Francisco. Participants then traveled by ship to Alaska, and across the Bering Strait, either by ship or by ice to Siberia. To be certain that the Yukon and the Bering Strait would be covered in ice, the race purposely began in the winter. Many of the roads and dirt-covered trails had never been traveled by a motorcar.

The Thomas Flyer was a last-minute decision made by E.R. Thomas and was entered just three days prior to the start of the race. A stock 1907 model was selected from the factory lot, and when it rolled into Paris 171 days after the start of the race, its position in history was cemented forever.

As the 1900s were coming to a close and following the trend of many other luxury manufacturers, Thomas embraced larger-cylinder engines. Their four-cylinder engine was given two extra cylinders and enlarged the bore and stroke to 5.5 inches resulting in a 12.9-liter displacement size and 70 horsepower output. At this point, this was by far the largest engine available and remains one of the largest engines ever to be fitted to an American production automobile.

This new six-cylinder model was designated the Modl K or 6-70 in reference to its number of cylinders and horsepower output. Body styles included a Seven Passenger Touring, 'Tourabout' or 'Flyabout,' with prices in the $6,000 neighborhood. The 140-inch wheelbase was equally imposing as the engine and was among the largest platforms offered by an American company. With a four-speed transmission, high revving engine with a broad power band, and company lineage of traveling around the world faster than anyone, the Model K ranked among the most automobiles on the road. Sales literature claimed the 1909 Thomas was the most powerful, complete, and luxurious stock car made.

The Model K of 1909 was one of four models offered by Thomas. Production of the Thomas Flyer peaked in 1906 and fell to 913 units in 1910 when staff salaries were reduced. E.R. Thomas never learned to drive a car and sold his interest in the company. Ultimately, the company would go into receivership on August 29th, 1912. Its assets were purchased at auction, and the company survived for a few more years, with catalog cars through 1916 and a few additional examples built on request through as late as 1918 or possibly 1919.

The 1910 Thomas model lineup included the four-cylinder Model R resting on a 123-inch wheelbase platform and selling in the low-$4,000 range for the Limousine, Brougha, and Town Car. The Model M used a 125-inch wheelbase, and its six-cylinder engine produced 43 horsepower, approximately 15 more horsepower than the Model R. Four catalog bodies were offered with prices that ranged from $3,400 for the Tourabout to $5,500 for the Landaulet. The Model F was a four-cylinder, 60-horsepower model with a 127-inch wheelbase and priced at $4,500 to $6,000. The body styles offered were similar - albeit larger with some having additional seating capacity - to the Model M and included a Touring, Tourabout, Flyabout (not available on the Model M), Limousine, and Landaulet. The Model K was the largest, most powerful, and most expensive model in the lineup with prices that exceeded $6,000. It used a 140-inch wheelbase platform, and its six-cylinder T-head engine breathing through a single carburetor produced 70 horsepower. It was paired with a four-speed manual transmission with chain final drive and two-wheel brakes. The suspension relied on semi-elliptic leaf springs. The body styles were the same as the Model F, but with a wheelbase that was over a foot longer, the interiors were more luxurious and comfortable.

Although the company's existence was brief, it will forever be remembered for the victory at the New York to Paris Race and for the mighty Model K.

by Dan Vaughan

7-Passenger Touring
Chassis number: 204

The Thomas Company was founded in Buffalo, NY, in 1900 by Edwin Ross Thomas, who had been involved in the railway business. He bought part of the Moribund Globe Cycle Company and began building bicycles and motorcycles. In 1902, automobile production began in a new factory; the first car was a light single-cylinder car, joined shortly thereafter by a two-cylinder model and, eventually, a three-cylinder model which bore the name 'Thomas Flyer.' By 1907, the output was some 700 cars and 400 taxicabs and each car produced had to prove itself capable of climbing Brewery Hill in Buffalo. In 1910, Thomas's production slipped to 913 units due in part to the poor reliability record of the Model L. This example was raced in California and was a part of the Harrah's Collection in Reno. It is one of two known to exist. E.R. Thomas, who in his decade in the motor industry had never learned to drive a car, sold his interest in the company in 1910, and the assets were eventually sold off in bankruptcy in 1913.

Sales literature claimed the 1909 Thomas was the most powerful, complete, and luxurious stock car made. Superiority was not due to any single item but a result of attention to every detail that earned its rank as the world's most perfect car. Thomas offered four lines in 1909, and the K 6-70 was the largest. The engine is a 784 cubic inch, 6-cylinder, developing 70 horsepower with 5 and 1/2 inch bore and 5 and 1/2 inch stroke.

Erwin R. Thomas, like so many other automobile pioneers of the time, had come into the automobile business through bicycles, in Thomas' case, the Cleveland bicycle constructed in both Cleveland and Toronto. He had used single-cylinder gasoline engines to power bicycles during the mid-1890s. These were called the Thomas Auto-Bi, built in a new factory in Buffalo, New York, starting in 1900. Automobile manufacturing soon followed.

The first Thomas automobiles were built in 1902, fitted with an air-cooled single-cylinder engine with 3.5 or 6 horsepower. These runabouts were given a three-speed sliding gear transmission instead of the simpler two-speed planetary transmission. During their first year of production, production reached 100 units. With these promising sales figures, Thomas undertook the construction of a new three-story factory.

By 1903, the Packard automobiles were using steering wheels. By 1904, a 3-cylinder inline vertical engine rated at 24 ALAM horsepower could be found powering the Packards. It was given the name 'Flyer,' a name that would stick with the company and immortalized as the victor in the 1908 New York to Paris race.

The three-cylinder 'Flyer' was followed in 1904 by a four-cylinder engine that offered 40 horsepower. Production increased to 400. While Thomas was offering this powerful vehicle, they were working on a six-cylinder engine that would offer 60 horsepower. This engine would continue Thomas's reputation as being built to the highest standards of design, construction, and materials. The public recognized this, and by 1906, Thomas had 1,514 orders in hand for cars. Expansion continued in 1907 with the introduction of the Thomas-Detroit, and then the legendary Model K 6-70. With 72.6 ALAM horsepower and touring coachwork that brought the final price to over $6,000, the Model K 6-70 was a very impressive, powerful, and comfortable automobile. They were built on a large 140-inch wheelbase and given semi-elliptical front and three-quarter elliptical rear springs.

The 784 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine had each cylinder cast individually with T-head combustion chambers. Dual ignition is provided by a trembler spark generator to plugs located on the intake side of the combustion chamber and a magneto which sparks plugs located above the intake valve.

There is a four-speed sliding gear transmission with a 3-disc clutch. There is an integral differential splitting the drive to the dual chain drive countershafts. Braking is done by a contracting band on the countershaft, which supplements the expanding show drum brakes at each of the rear wheels.

There are only two known original Thomas 6-70 models known to exist. This example's first owners were the Weverton family. Years later, it was in the collection of Bill Harrah in Reno/Sparks where it shared honors with the original New York-Paris Thomas Flyer. It was a feature in the Automobile Quarterly Volume VIII, Number 4. It is currently painted in Thomas Red paint, has a tall black top, and black leather upholstery. There are acetylene headlights, kerosene sidelights, a Prest-o-Lite tank on the right running board, a radiator shell, and a tall windshield.

This vehicle has been shown at the Meadow Brook Concours on two occasions and was on-hand for the Thomas celebration at the 2008 Amelia Island Concours.

In 2009, this Model 6-70 was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Arizona auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $900,000 - $1,100,000. The lot failed to sell after receiving a high bid of $675,000.

Later that year, it was offered for sale at the Sports & Classics of Monterey auction in Monterey, California, presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $700,000-$900,000. The lot failed to sell after achieving a high bid of $450,000.

Flyabout
Chassis number: 318

By 1910, like so many other automakers, Thomas was fighting for sales. Their 'Around the World' feat had won them notoriety, but by 1910, that reputation was beginning to fade, and sales were drying up a little. One source of business was the 'light' or 'semi' commercial market to which Thomas delivered several of their production cars. One of those companies that specialized in transforming them for such use was the Webb Company of St. Louis.

In 1910, the city of Chattanooga took delivery of its new fire apparatus. The Webb-bodied Thomas would remain with them for nearly half-a-century. In 1956, the city parted ways with the Thomas, which at this point had long been retired from particular use and was more of a novelty. It was sold to Tommy Lynch, the grandson of Mr. Wilcox the gentleman who had originally acquired it for the city commission.

Mr. Harold Coker was very interested in the vehicle and would spend roughly eight years negotiating with the Wilcox family to retrieve the car. Eventually, his persistence prevailed, and this car became the first Thomas to enter the Coker stable. Over time, the family would own no fewer than 11 examples.

Coker commissioned a comprehensive restoration of the car. Its 'Flyabout' coachwork was built using a comparison with the car that he felt was the best representation of the model, that of Mahlon Patton of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The restoration work was completed in the early 1970s. At its show debut at one of the nation's most prominent Concours, at the Antique Automobile Club of America's Hershey Fall Meet in 1972 where it won a First Prize.

The car was later sold to David Noran and later to the current owner. During its 116-year lifespan, it has had just five owners. In the care of its current caretaker, it has been re-freshened and properly re-commissioned.

by Dan Vaughan

Flyabout
Chassis number: 318

The E.R. Thomas Motor Company produced cars in Buffalo, New York, from 1903 to 1918.

In the winter of 1908, the French newspaper Le Matin sponsored 'The Great Race,' which began in New York, ran across the country to San Francisco, then went by ship to Alaska before crossing the Bering Strait (either by ship or by the ice route) to Siberia, then onwards from the East to Europe to the finish line in Paris. E.R. Thomas made a last-minute decision to enter one of his cars in the race, and three days before the start, a stock 1907 model was selected from the factory. A total of 13,341 miles and 171 days later, the Thomas rolled into Paris the victor. The win prompted Thomas to introduce a new line of fast and powerful 6-cylinder cars, which became known as Thomas Flyers. The 1907 sales catalogue boasted, 'You can't go by a Thomas Flyer, so go buy one!'

With the victory, the Thomas Flyer cars were immediately in demand for their amazing reliability and power. By 1910 the 6-70 Flyabout, which is the biggest and fastest model produced, cost a whopping $6,000.

This example is one of approximately 500 produced in 1910 and was purchased by the city of Chattanooga for regular use by the Mayor and for special events. After two decades of public use, this Thomas was retired and eventually taken over by the Chattanooga Fire Company, where it was modified for pumper service due to its huge motor. The car remained there until 1959, when it was discovered by Harold Coker and added to his Thomas Collection. It was subjected to a full re-restoration in 2016. With only three owners, this 6-70 Flyabout is considered one of the most original of all great Thomas Flyers.

Tourabout

This Thomas Flyer K 6-70 Tourabout is one of the most original Thomas Tourabouts to survive today. During the 1940s and early 1950s, the car appeared in several Paramount Pictures movies before it was acquired by the car collector William Harrah. Known as 'Big Blue,' this rare Thomas Flyer is the only surviving Tourabout and still has all of its original coachwork. In the late 1950s, the Harrah Collection mechanics dismantled the entire car and embarked on a well-documented 'Gold Star' restoration that, although the car was freshened up in 2015, has stood the test of time. This car has been a part of the Louwman Museum Collection in the Netherlands for over a dozen years and is used for events and tours all over the United States.

The Erwin Ross (E.R.) Thomas Motor Company produced automobiles from 1902 through 1919 in Buffalo, New York. The first cars produced by the company appeared in 1903 and were mostly small runabouts with seating for two. The company had begun like so many other automobile manufacturing firms at the time - through a bicycle business. Thomas had been building bicycles for several companies before making the switch to automotive production.

The first E.R. Thomas Motor cars were powered by a vertically-mounted water-cooled straight-three cylinder engine that produced just over 20 horsepower. The engine was mated to a two-speed planetary gearbox.

As times progressed, so did the E.R. Thomas Motor Cars. The Company did much to promote its vehicles and to attract customers, such as painting the cars in bright and attractive colors. The cars became more powerful and elegant and became renowned for their reliability and endurance.

In 1908, an E.R. Thomas Car was entered into 'The Great Race,' which ran from New York to Paris. The decision was made at the last minute, and there was little time to properly adapt the car for the race. Instead, the company pulled one from the production line and entered it into the race. The race began in New York during the winter and proceeded to San Francisco. The entrants then loaded onto a boat and traveled to Alaska and then Siberia. Once they arrived in Siberia, the race continued.

The Race was actually won in 169 days and covered 22,000 miles. 13341 miles were actually driven. At the conclusion of the race, ending in Paris, it was an E.R. Thomas in first place, claiming the overall victory.

Demand for the E.R. Thomas Motor cars increased after the heroic victory. In 1911, the company only produced six-cylinder cars. Within a year, the car had entered into receivership and was purchased by C.A. Finnegan of the Empire Smelting Company.

by Dan Vaughan