Thomas Flyer 6-60
Car : Thomas Flyer 6-60
Year : 1907
Engine : 6 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke :140×140 mm
Cylinder capacity : 12924 cc
Gears : 4 forward
Brake horse power : 72
Maximum speed : 70 mph
Wheelbase : 11 ft 8 ins (3.55 m)
Suspension : front and back : semi-elliptic leaf- springs
The 6-60 owes its fame to its victory in the 1908 New York-Paris race. It remained in production until 1912. The engine developed 72 bhp, and in 1907 it cost $4,500. The New York-Paris race was created by the Paris newspaper Le Matin and announced immediately after the Peking-Paris rally. Six cars set off at the start, including a Thomas Flyer. The almost 21,000 miles (34,000 km) journey westwards was completed in 170 days by George Schuster driving the Thomas Flyer; this was three days faster than a German Protos. The enterprise cost Thomas Flyer $100,000.

Thomas (the name Flyer was added later) was initially founded by Erwin Ross Thomas as a bicycle company. In 1897 the company was building engines, in 1900 motorcycles, and in 1902 cars were produced. From twin-cylinder engines it went to 3, the 4, the finally 6 cylinders. The New York-Paris winner was a 6-cylinder car with shaft transmission. After 1909 the firm’s fortunes declined and it was bought by Eugene Meyer. Despite the introduction of new models, Meyer could not save the company.