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1912 Thomas Flyer MC6-40

Runabout
Engine number: 1623

Prior to manufacturing automobiles, Erwin Ross (E.R.) Thomas was in the bicycle business. He was the managing director for H.A. Lozier & Co. during the 1890s, which produced the Cleveland bicycle. Recognizing the growing potential of the automobile, he left Lozier and took over the Buffalo Automobile and Auto-Bi Company. The company's name was changed to Thomas Auto-Bi in 1900, and a year later, Thomas claimed to build more air-cooled motors than anyone else.

In 1903, the first Thomas automobiles were produced. By 1905, the company was building bigger four-cylinder cars which they called 'Thomas Flyers.'

After winning the New York to Paris race in 1909, Thomas's cars were advertised as the 'Most reliable car in the world.' Starting in 1909, the sales catalog stated that every Thomas Flyer owner owned 'a New York to Paris car.' These were strong statements at the time, but they were backed by an excellent performance record and impressive specifications. The company's philosophy was to make its cars as strong and durable as possible without making them heavy.

Just three days prior to the start of the Le Matin sponsored 'The Great Race,' E.R. Thomas decided to enter. He selected a stock 1907 model from the factory lot. 13,341 miles and 171 days later, the Thomas rolled into Paris as the victor.

In September of 1909, the light six Model M was introduced for the 1910 model year. The Model M was an improved version of the prior year's Model L. Power was from a new T-head engine which served as a replacement for the L-Head unit. The T-Head engine was much larger, which required a bigger radiator and hood. Sales literature stated the engine produced 40 horsepower, however, it actually produced around 64 horsepower at 1,500 RPM.

Thomas demonstrated the reliability and flexibility of the Model M by putting it through another endurance run. All of the gears were removed from the transmission except high and reverse. While only in top gear, the car was driven from Buffalo over the Berkshires, the White Mountains, the Green Mountains, and the Adirondacks and back to Buffalo.

In 1911, Thomas was run by a new management organization.

In 1912, the Model M became the Model MC, and it gained an inch in the wheelbase.

The ensuing product remains a wonderful example of an American brass-era automobile. It still retains the six-cylinder engine and a triple-disc clutch which gave the car 'a more positive drive than any other type of clutch in use at the present time.'

This car made its post-restoration debut in 2015 at the Amelia Island Concours. It was then shown at the Antique Automobile Club of America Nationals, where it earned its Senior National First Prize Award at Ocala, Florida.

This car is powered by a 440 cubic-inch T-head six-cylinder engine fitted with a single carburetor and produces 64 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission, leaf spring suspension, and rear drum brakes.

Limousine

The E. R. Thomas Motor Co. produced cars in Buffalo, New York, from 1903 to 1918. The concern made no secret that it wanted to go racing and entered the Vanderbilt Cup and French Grand Prix, among others. Without a doubt, the car and company are best known for winning the most formidable endurance race of all time - the 1908 New York to Paris Race with George Schuster and Montague Roberts covering the 13,341-mile distance in 171 days. The American entry was literally pulled from a Thomas dealer's showroom just three days before the race began, leaving Times Square on February 12, 1908, to the cheers of 50,000 spectators.

This particular example (one of two of its type known to exist) was sold to its first owner through Lucia Bros. Motor Co. in Green Bay, Wisconsin, which also sold Duryea, Pope, Thomas, and Waverly Electrics before becoming an exclusive agent for Packard. Under the hood is a 50-horsepower 6-cylinder engine.

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