1910 Thomas Flyer M 6-40 5-Passenger Touring (Best in Show Winner)

A green 1910 Thomas Flyer Model M 6-40 5-Passenger Touring driving after the 2019 San Marino Motor Classic at Lacy Park, where it won the Best in Show (Pre-War) award. This car underwent a four-year restoration by its owner, during which it was repainted in its current color. It was displayed at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it won First in Class (Antique).

I must confess that I made the grave mistake of not arriving at the '19 San Marino Motor Classic until numerous cars had already left. But I also won't deny it landed me precisely where the pre-war Best in Show winner happened to cruise by on its way out. Unfortunately that encounter lasted only about a minute. But how often do you get to see a Thomas Flyer casually driving on a public road, not to mention one that had just won First in Class at Pebble the previous summer? Despite being largely unknown today, Thomas Motor Company was an innovative name in the early motorized bicycle industry, and a Thomas Flyer automobile won the 1908 New York to Paris Race, a competition so challenging it took nearly six months with only half the contestants actually finishing. A fun fact about this particular car: It was originally finished in burgundy, and the owner says his decision to change the color may have helped him claim the Pebble award, since several other top candidates that year were also green. Either way, it certainly looks great, and it certainly looks worthy of its accolades!

Do you think this Thomas Flyer deserved the pre-war Best in Show award? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!