E-M-F, Flanders, and Studebaker Photographs

Biographical / Historical Note

Automobile manufacturer Everitt-Metzger-Flanders Co. (E-M-F) began in 1908 intending to mass produce an automobile in a medium price range. The company was named for its three founders: Barney Everitt, successful Detroit automobile body-builder; William...

More

Automobile manufacturer Everitt-Metzger-Flanders Co. (E-M-F) began in 1908 intending to mass produce an automobile in a medium price range. The company was named for its three founders: Barney Everitt, successful Detroit automobile body-builder; William Metzger, premier Cadillac Motor Co. salesman; and Walter Flanders, who had previously worked as Henry Ford's first production manager at Ford Motor Company. LeRoy Pelletier, another former Ford Motor Co. employee, was named advertising manager. Soon after its founding, E-M-F established an alliance with another automobile manufacturer, the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Co. The partnership was for Studebaker to handle half of all E-M-F automobile sale, including all export business and all sales in the southwestern U.S.

By 1909, following a rift with the company, Everitt and Metzger and left the company to build their own car, the Everitt. They then sold their shares in E-M-F to Studebaker. Walter Flanders, having lost majority control of the company, then also aligned with Studebaker. Together, E-M-F and Studebaker, led by Flanders, began production of a new low-priced car that would compete directly with the Model T Ford, calling it the Flanders 20. By 1912, Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company and E-M-F were wholly combined, and by 1913 all new production E-M-F and Flanders vehicles were marketed as Studebakers. Years later, in 1921, Everitt, Metzger, Flanders and Pelletier reunited to build and market the Rickenbacker automobile. Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Co. continued producing and selling automobiles successfully in America until 1966.

Note adapted from the following: - William E. Metzger. (2014, September 19). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20:30, January 28, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_E._Metzger&oldid=626256351 - Walter Flanders. (2014, July 7). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20:31, January 28, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Walter_Flanders&oldid=615917186

Less

Scope and Content Note

The E-M-F, Flanders, and Studebaker photographs consists of 238 black-and-white photographic prints that were once part of an album, most of which are unlabeled and undated. The photographs provide excellent visual documentation of E-M-F and Flanders...

More

The E-M-F, Flanders, and Studebaker photographs consists of 238 black-and-white photographic prints that were once part of an album, most of which are unlabeled and undated. The photographs provide excellent visual documentation of E-M-F and Flanders automobiles, particularly the promotion of their durability and reliability, and include images of E-M-F 20, E-M-F 30, and Flanders 20 models. Researchers should note that some prints are water damaged.

Most photographs depict the use of the E-M-F 30 as the official vehicle chosen to perform a path finding tour in 1909. The tour went from Detroit to Denver via Minneapolis and Kansas City, and was sponsored by AAA and Charles J. Glidden (Pathfinder vehicles were judged on handling and performance on rough roads, steep hills, mountain trails, deep mud, and long distance runs rather than time). Other photographs depict similar Flanders 20 endurance runs in 1911; a Glidden sponsored tour on the East Coast; a pathfinder for the Pacific Highway Association to the Grand Canyon; a trip covering over 4,000 miles from Canada to Mexico entitled "Under Three Flags;" and images of the Tiedeman Trophy Race in Savannah, Georgia. The Tiedeman race was contested by a Flanders car holding a speed record of 84 mph and nicknamed Old Bullet.

There are also photographs depicting the production and shipment of automobiles, automotive workers, automobile track racing, roadside camping, and award ceremonies. Additional genres (often framing an automobile) include landscapes, waterscapes, mountainscapes, streetscapes, cityscapes, and an occasional group portrait.

Less
Collection Details

Object ID: 91.1.1769.0
Creator: Unknown 
Inclusive Dates: circa 1910-1914
Size: 0.4 cubic ft. (1 box)
Language: English

Collection Access & Use

Item Location: Not Currently On Exhibit

Access Restrictions: The materials are available for research.

Credit: From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Digitized Artifacts From This Collection

In many cases, not all artifacts have been digitized.
Contact us for more information about this collection.

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 196

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 196

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

Founded in 1852, Studebaker was the world's largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles by 1900. It entered the automobile business with understandable caution. Studebaker contracted with the Everitt-Metzger-Flanders Company in 1908 to sell E-M-F cars through Studebaker's extensive network of wagon dealers. Studebaker ultimately purchased E-M-F and its facilities and began building gasoline-powered cars under the Studebaker name for 1913.

Object ID

91.1.1769.196

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 196

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 201

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 201

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

Founded in 1852, Studebaker was the world's largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles by 1900. It entered the automobile business with understandable caution. Studebaker contracted with the Everitt-Metzger-Flanders Company in 1908 to sell E-M-F cars through Studebaker's extensive network of wagon dealers. Studebaker ultimately purchased E-M-F and its facilities and began building gasoline-powered cars under the Studebaker name for 1913.

Object ID

91.1.1769.201

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 201

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 229

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 229

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

Founded in 1852, Studebaker was the world's largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles by 1900. It entered the automobile business with understandable caution. Studebaker contracted with the Everitt-Metzger-Flanders Company in 1908 to sell E-M-F cars through Studebaker's extensive network of wagon dealers. Studebaker ultimately purchased E-M-F and its facilities and began building gasoline-powered cars under the Studebaker name for 1913.

Object ID

91.1.1769.229

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 229

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 231

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 231

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

Founded in 1852, Studebaker was the world's largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles by 1900. It entered the automobile business with understandable caution. Studebaker contracted with the Everitt-Metzger-Flanders Company in 1908 to sell E-M-F cars through Studebaker's extensive network of wagon dealers. Studebaker ultimately purchased E-M-F and its facilities and began building gasoline-powered cars under the Studebaker name for 1913.

Object ID

91.1.1769.231

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 231

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 233

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 233

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

Founded in 1852, Studebaker was the world's largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles by 1900. It entered the automobile business with understandable caution. Studebaker contracted with the Everitt-Metzger-Flanders Company in 1908 to sell E-M-F cars through Studebaker's extensive network of wagon dealers. Studebaker ultimately purchased E-M-F and its facilities and began building gasoline-powered cars under the Studebaker name for 1913.

Object ID

91.1.1769.233

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 233

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 6

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 6

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

Founded in 1852, Studebaker was the world's largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles by 1900. It entered the automobile business with understandable caution. Studebaker contracted with the Everitt-Metzger-Flanders Company in 1908 to sell E-M-F cars through Studebaker's extensive network of wagon dealers. Studebaker ultimately purchased E-M-F and its facilities and began building gasoline-powered cars under the Studebaker name for 1913.

Object ID

91.1.1769.6

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 6

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 14

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 14

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

Founded in 1852, Studebaker was the world's largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles by 1900. It entered the automobile business with understandable caution. Studebaker contracted with the Everitt-Metzger-Flanders Company in 1908 to sell E-M-F cars through Studebaker's extensive network of wagon dealers. Studebaker ultimately purchased E-M-F and its facilities and began building gasoline-powered cars under the Studebaker name for 1913.

Object ID

91.1.1769.14

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 14

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 15

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 15

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

Founded in 1852, Studebaker was the world's largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles by 1900. It entered the automobile business with understandable caution. Studebaker contracted with the Everitt-Metzger-Flanders Company in 1908 to sell E-M-F cars through Studebaker's extensive network of wagon dealers. Studebaker ultimately purchased E-M-F and its facilities and began building gasoline-powered cars under the Studebaker name for 1913.

Object ID

91.1.1769.15

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 15

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 19

  Details

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 19

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

Artifact

Photographic print

Summary

Founded in 1852, Studebaker was the world's largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles by 1900. It entered the automobile business with understandable caution. Studebaker contracted with the Everitt-Metzger-Flanders Company in 1908 to sell E-M-F cars through Studebaker's extensive network of wagon dealers. Studebaker ultimately purchased E-M-F and its facilities and began building gasoline-powered cars under the Studebaker name for 1913.

Object ID

91.1.1769.19

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Get more details in Digital Collections at:

thehenryford.org

E-M-F, Flanders, Studebaker Photographs, ca. 1910-1914 -- Item 19

View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

What is The Henry Ford?

The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

VIEW CALENDAR

  Details