Thomas Motor Company
| Industry | Automobile |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1900 |
| Founder | Edwin Ross Thomas |
| Defunct | 1919 |
| Fate | entered receivership and ceased operations between 1918 and 1919 |
| Headquarters | Buffalo, New York , USA |
| Products | Motorized bicycles, tricycles, motorcycles, automobiles |
E. R. Thomas Motor Company operated out of Buffalo, New York, manufacturing motorized bicycles, tricycles, motorcycles, and automobiles from its inception in 1900 until closure in 1919.
Motorized bicycles, tricycles, and motorcycles
In 1896, Edwin Ross Thomas initiated sales of gasoline engine kits designed for bicycles. He subsequently established Thomas Motor Company to produce fully assembled motor-assisted bicycles marketed under the Thomas Auto-Bi brand. The Auto-Bi is acknowledged as America’s first commercially produced motorized bicycle. By 1903, the firm had become the leading manufacturer of single-cylinder, air-cooled engines nationwide. Their offerings grew to include the Auto-Tri three-wheeled vehicle and the Auto-Two Tri motorcycle, which was capable of accommodating three passengers.
In 1905, the Auto-Bi set a U.S. transcontinental record by completing the journey in 48 days. Despite this success, diminishing demand for motorcycles resulted in the discontinuation of all two-wheeled models by 1912.
Automobiles
Between 1902 and 1919, the company manufactured automobiles. Initial models featured the 1902 Model 17 equipped with an 8-horsepower single-cylinder engine and a two-speed planetary transmission; it was available either as a detachable rear-entrance tonneau or as a runabout. The following year introduced the Model 18, which incorporated a sliding selective transmission and non-detachable tonneau body styles; both models were sold concurrently until mid-1903.
The firm's first multi-cylinder automobile appeared in 1904 with the "Thomas Flyer" touring car. This model featured a front-mounted, water-cooled inline three-cylinder engine producing 24 horsepower, built on a steel frame with a modern cellular radiator. Designed to seat five passengers in a tonneau configuration, it was priced at US$2,500 (equivalent to approximately $ today). Additionally, an 8-horsepower tonneau variant retailed for US$1,250.
Financial challenges led to the company entering receivership in 1912. Subsequently, C.A. Finnegan of Empire Smelting & Refining Company acquired it. Operations ultimately ceased between 1918 and 1919.
Production models
- Thomas Model 25
- Thomas Model 26
- Thomas Model 27
- Thomas Model 29
- Thomas Model 30
- Thomas Model 31
- Thomas Model 32
- Thomas Model 33
- Thomas Model 34
- Thomas Model C-I
- Thomas Model C-II
- Thomas Model XXXVI
- Thomas Model XXXIX
- Thomas Model XL
- Thomas Model 4-40 Detroit
- Thomas Model 4-20 Town Car
- Thomas Model F 4-60 Touring Car
- Thomas Model K 6-70 Touring Car
- Thomas Model M 6-40 Touring Car
- Thomas Model 4-16 Town Car
- Thomas Model R 4-28 Town Car
New York to Paris Race
The Thomas Flyer, a four-cylinder model with 60 horsepower (Model 35 from 1907), secured victory in the 1908 New York to Paris Race, recognized as the inaugural and only around-the-world automobile competition. Commencing from Times Square in New York on February 12, the event spanned approximately , concluding in Paris on July 30, 1908. Six teams participated—representing Italy, Germany, and three French manufacturers (De Dion-Bouton, Motobloc, Sizaire-Naudin), alongside the American entry with the Flyer. Only three vehicles completed the course: the American Thomas Flyer, German Protos, and Italian Züst.
The race highlighted the Flyer’s superior capabilities; notably, it was the first automobile to traverse the United States during winter conditions, accomplishing the transcontinental segment in just over 41 days. George Schuster was the sole crew member to remain throughout the entire journey. Completing the full race in 169 days represented a remarkable commercial accomplishment given the limited infrastructure of that period.
After its arrival in Paris, William F. Harrah restored the Flyer to its original condition; it is currently displayed at the National Automobile Museum located in Reno, Nevada.
Although the German team reached Paris ahead on July 26, they incurred penalties for route shortcuts taken by their Protos vehicle. The American team arrived four days later but initially faced denial of entry into Paris due to a broken headlamp; however, a passerby’s bicycle light enabled them to finish officially as victors. This triumph significantly bolstered their brand reputation and market presence.
The event inspired the Warner Brothers’ film The Great Race (1965), with its protagonist’s car modeled after the Thomas Flyer.
See also
External links
- Motor vehicle manufacturers based in New York (state)
- Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States
- Manufacturing companies based in Buffalo, New York
- Cars introduced in 1902
- 1900s cars
- 1910s cars
- Brass Era vehicles
- Motorized bicycles
- Veteran vehicles
- American companies established in 1900
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1900
- Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1919
- 1900 establishments in New York (state)
- 1919 disestablishments in New York (state)
- Defunct manufacturing companies based in New York (state)
- History of Buffalo, New York
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- Companies of the United States by year of establishment