The Around the World Auto Race would

cover 22,000 miles in 169 days!

Only nine men had successfully crossed the United States in an automobile at that time. 

• Thomas Flyer - $4,000  

• Weighed 5,000 pounds loaded

• 4 cylinder 60 hp engine

• 60 mph

Great Race by the Numbers:

• • 9,000,000 total competitive miles• • 3 continents visited• • 43 states and 900 communities visited• • $6,000,000 in prize money awarded• • 17,200 competitors, crew and staff• • Reached more than 200 million people

Click Exactly on the stars in order to travel across America

Start

The Start: Feb. 12, 1908Location: New York City

Crowds begin to gather at the Times Square starting line in NYC. Over 250,000 spectators were on hand for the start of the 1908 New York to Paris Race. 

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Feb. 16, 1908Location: Buffalo, New York

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The Flyer with the 45 star flag flying approaches Buffalo, NY where it was built. Often spectator cars would join in, following the competitors or acting as guide cars breaking the way through snow

Location: Kendallville, IndianaFebruary 19, 1908

Long before snowplows, hand shoveling or dragging the Flyer with teams of horses was often the only way through. With little protection from the elements, the American built Thomas Flyer with George Schuster as driver becomes the first automobile to ever cross the US in winter. 

Mar. 24,1908-First auto to ever cross the US during winter in 41 days, 8 hours and 15 minutes, a total of 3.836 miles from Times Square, New York City.

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Location: Outside Chicago, Illinois

February 26/27, 1908Where there were no rails, the Thomas was often forced to go "cross country", long before the days of 4WD.  Here, the car mired in quicksand, has broken the pinion gear.  It was repaired in the creek bed.

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Location: Iowa Countryside1908

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"Thomas Flyer" rolling through the snowy Iowa countryside. In 1908, there were no paved roads and the problems of driving in the snow and mud cannot be fully understood today.

Location: Omaha, NebraskaMarch 4, 1908

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Often with no roads, the Flyer would go "cross-country" finding torturous obstacles along the 22,000 mile course