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 Dan Vaughan

Touring
Chassis number: 380
Engine number: 281

Prior to manufacturing automobiles, Erwin Ross (E.R.) Thomas was in the bicycle business. During the 1890s, E. R. was the managing director for H. A. Lozier & Co. who produced the Cleveland bicycle. Realizing the potential in the newly introduced automobile business, he left Lozier to take over the Buffalo Automobile and Auto-Bi company, which had a reputation for producing bicycles and motorcycle engines. In 1900, E.R. changed the name of the company to Thomas Auto-Bi. The following year, Thomas claimed to have built more air-cooled motors than anyone else. In 1903, E.R. introduced the first Thomas automobiles. They were small runabouts, like so many other automakers at the time, positioned mid-market.

Along with a solid reputation for durability and speed, E.R. finished his vehicles in bright colors and used large amounts of ornate brass accessories to further highlight his creations. The company's notoriety was taken to new levels in 1908 when it won 'The Great Race.' The route went from New York across the United States to San Francisco. The vehicles were then shipped to Alaska, and across the Bering Straight, either by ship or by ice to Siberia.

The Thomas-Flyer used to win the race was a stock 1907 model that was selected from the factory lot. 13,341 miles and 171 days later, the Thomas rolled into Paris ahead of its competition and into the history books.

In September of 1909, the light six Model M was introduced for the 1910 model year. The Model M was an improvement over the previous year's Model L. They had a new T-head engine which replaced the L-head design. They had a larger hood and radiator to house the 40-horsepower powerplant, though, in reality, it produced a maximum of 64 horsepower at 1500 RPM.

To showcase the potential of the new engine, a Model M was stripped of all of its gears except high and reverse from the transmission. The car was driven from Buffalo over the Berkshires, the White Mountains, the Green Mountains, and the Adirondacks and back to Buffalo. This incredible accomplishment was done all in top gear.

Chassis no. 380

This Thomas Flyer was purchased new by Mr. Sachreter on May 5th of 1910 as a gift for his son. Mr. Sachreter used the car until 1918 when he left to serve in the Army during World War I. Upon his return, his father had a new Marmon waiting for him. The Thomas would remain in its laid-up state, on blocks, for the next 39 years. In the 1950s, the car was in need of refurbishment, and Mr. Sachreter entrusted HCCA members Jack and Barbara White with the work. A short time later, the car was back in working condition. In 1958 it made its first touring appearance as an 'antique' at the Reno Tour. The car would enjoy many tours with Mr. Sachreter.

In the 1960s, William Fisk 'Bill' Harrah was able to purchase the Thomas from its original long-term custodian. Mr. Harrah had the paint refinished in the original color scheme. It was eventually sold during Harrah's dispersal auctions in the 1980s and has since resided in a European collection.

The car has red leather upholstery, which is original, a rear sisal mat, running boards, and an original toolbox with red-lined trays containing many original tools.

Power is from an inline 6-cylinder T-head 440 cubic-inch engine capable of producing 64 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission and rear drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Seven Passenger Touring
Chassis number: 559
Engine number: 573

Mr. Erwin Ross 'E.R.' Thomas first became known for making bicycles, but in 1903 he moved on to automobiles, and by 1905 the Thomas Company was building its now-famous four-cylinder Thomas Flyer. In 1908 the company entered a Flyer in the Great Race from New York to Paris. The race lasted 171 days and covered over 13,300 miles, with the cars being driven from New York to San Francisco, then going by ship to Alaska and crossing the Bering Straits either by ship or by a route across the ice to Siberia, then driving cross-continent to Paris. The Thomas, the only American entry, was the eventual winner, putting the Thomas Company firmly on the map. The 6-cylinder Model 6-40 was first demonstrated in 1909 when it made a grueling round-trip -with all gears removed except top and reverse - from Buffalo over the White Mountains, the Green Mountains, and the Adirondacks back to Buffalo.

Touring
Engine number: M 79

This 1910 Thomas Model M 6-40 Flyabout is powered by a 440 cubic-inch T-Head inline 6-cylinder engine developing 64 horsepower and backed by a three-speed manual transmission. It is currently in the private collection of Harold Coker and is understood to have been built from parts collected over four decades, including an original 640 engine. The coachwork was built in the Flyabout form and finished in a two-tone green color scheme with a tan interior upholstery and canvas top.

by Dan Vaughan

Tourabout
Chassis number: 1088
Engine number: 1070

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 Dan Vaughan

The Erwin Ross (E.R.) Thomas Motor Company produced automobiles from 1902 through 1919. Production transpired 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 auto-manufacturing firms at the time - through a bicycle business. Thomas had been building bicycles for several companies before switching 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 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 lasted 171 days and covered 13,300 miles. 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