1914 Thomas K-6-90

The E.R. Thomas Motor Company built automobiles from 1902 to 1919, but their existence dates further back. In 1896, E.R. Thomas of Buffalo, New York, began selling gasoline engine kits for propelling bicycles. The popularity led to the selling of complete motor-assisted bicycles under the name Thomas Auto-Bi and under the banner of the Thomas Motor Company. The Thomas Auto-Bi was soon joined by the Auto-Tri, a three-wheeled motorcycle, and the Auto-Two Tri, a motorcycle that could accommodate three riders. The company's production of motorcycles and two-wheeled machines would continue through 1912. Among the accolades achieved was setting a new record in 1905 for a transcontinental crossing of the United States in 48 days.

Thomas automobiles quickly established a reputation for their expense, exclusivity, quality construction, and engineering prowess. The first Thomas to bear the 'Flyer' name was in 1904, applied to a touring car, and the first multi-cylinder vehicle produced by the firm. Its three-cylinder engine was vertically mounted, used water for cooling, and was paired with a planetary transmission.

The Thomas automobiles became even more expensive in 1905, and models included a pair of four-cylinder models along with a six-cylinder model. The six-cylinder model was intended to expand the company's racing credentials, and one example placed fifth in the Vanderbilt Cup elimination trials but failed to qualify for the event. A Thomas returned a year later and contested the Vanderbilt Cup, where it achieved the fastest lap and was the highest American car to finish, crossing the line in eighth place. In 1908, a Thomas Six raced at the French Grand Prix but failed to finish. The company's most significant accomplishment was George Schuster's around-the-globe triumph at the 1908 New York-Paris rally in just 169 days. The route went from New York (in the dead of winter) across the U.S. to San Francisco, then 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 dirt-covered trails had never been traveled by a motorcar.

The decision to enter the race was made by E.R. Thomas just three days prior to the start. A stock 1907 model was selected from the factory lot and lightly modified. It would travel 13,341 miles and was the first to arrive in Paris, forever cementing its place in history.

The Model K-6-90

The Thomas K-6-90 was a unique model and was never formally marketed. It was built atop the Model K-6-70 that was introduced in 1908 on a 140-inch wheelbase chassis. Its 784 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine developed 70 horsepower. The K-6-90 employed an uprated power option with an enlarged 5.75-inch bore and produced 88 horsepower. After entering receivership in August of 1912, Thomas supplied its K-6 chassis to commercial truck manufacturers, and many examples were completed as firetrucks.

by Dan Vaughan

Flyabout
Chassis number: 4338

It is believed that this Pierce-Arrow was built as one of the post-receivership trucks. It was distributed to the George C. Hale Company of Kansas City, Missouri, to be fitted with firefighting equipment. The city of Kalispell, Montana, placed an order for a Thomas/Hale firetruck around August 1914, and this K-6 was sent to them around five months later.

The Pierce-Arrow was used for approximately 12 years before it was sold to the city of Columbia Falls, Montana. A period newspaper article suggested the engine may have originally been built to K-6-90 specification and, at the time, had approximately 600 miles on its odometer. It was used for an additional 20 years of service for Columbia Falls, with its last official outing occurring in January 1947. A few months later, it was sold to Plum Creek Lumber Company in Colombia Falls, where it was repositioned to fight forest fires in support of a logging operation. It entered private ownership in 1954 when it was sold to Jess Taylor of Olney, Montana. In 1956, the Thomas was lent to Greg's Auto Sales in Kalispell for display as a historical attraction.

In September of 1959, the car was acquired by the William Harrah Collection, and by 1961 it was one of nine Thomas examples owned by Mr. Harrah. The car remained with Mr. Harrah for at least two decades. It was sold in the early 1980s to Wolfgang Gawor of the Channel Islands. Under his care, it received a refurbishment to the current configuration of a proper K-6-90 Flyabout, including a custom-made body with the signature rear-seat windshield.

When it was sold from the Gawor collection in March of 2007, it was acquired by George Owen of Candia, New Hampshire. The following year, it entered the care of its current caretaker. The engine was rebuilt in 2014.

This Thomas has successfully completed at least five Brass Era touring events over the last 14 years and was displayed at the 2008 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

by Dan Vaughan