Monday 16th July 1900

F P Nehrbas, a Buffalo, New York (US) bicycle mechanic, joined the E R Thomas Motor Company to build the prototype automobile designed by Erwin Ross Thomas. The company is best known for producing the Thomas Flyer. The most famous model was a 1908 72 horsepower six cylinder Thomas Flyer that won the New York to Paris automobile race in 1908. In the race the Thomas Flyer drove around the world in 169 days. Winning the 1908 New York to Paris race had a short but positive effect on Thomas Flyer sales.