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1906 Thomas Flyer Touring Car

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Artifact Overview

The E.R. Thomas Company of Buffalo, New York, manufactured this touring car during its peak production year of 1906. Known for their high performance, proved in 1908 when a Thomas Flyer won the New York to Paris race, the cars were also expensive. This vehicle sold for $3,700. The company faltered a few years after Henry Ford perfected his Model T.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Automobile

Date Made

1906

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America

Object ID

68.111.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Steel (Alloy)
Metal
Leather
Rubber (Material)
Wood (Plant Material)
Brass (Alloy)
Glass (Material)

Color

Gray (Color)
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 99 in
Width: 69 in
Length: 168 in

Inscriptions

On brass side lamps: Solar/ Model 624/ Patents [...] On brass head lamps: Solar/ Parabolens Projector/Type 684/Badger Brass MFG Co. Kenosha WIS USA On brass rear lamp: Solar/ no. 805 On front nose: Thomas emblem Hubcaps: T On generator on right running board: The Automatic Shaking Grate Generator/ Patented/ Made by/ Rushmore Dynamo Works/ Plainfield NJ USA

Specifications

Make & Model: 1906 Thomas Flyer touring car
Maker: E.R. Thomas Motor Company, Buffalo, New York
Engine: inline-4, T-head valves, 523 cubic inches
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Height: 99 inches
Wheelbase: 118 inches
Width: 69 inches
Overall length: 168 inches
Weight: 3200 pounds
Horsepower: 50
Pounds per horsepower: 64
Price: $3,500
Average 1906 wage: $523 per year
Time you'd work to buy this car: about 6 years, 9 months
1906 Thomas Flyer Touring Car