In 1908, Walter Flanders, recently of Ford Motor Company, joined with Barney Everitt, who had built automobile bodies, and William Metzger, who has been called America’s first auto dealer. Together, Everett, Metzger, and Flanders intended to mass-produce a medium-priced car, a notch above Ford. To that end, chief engineer William Kelly designed a 226-cubic inch, 30-horsepower engine, mounted on a channel-section chassis frame, and sending its power to the rear wheels through a three-speed rear-mounted transaxle. Yes, a transaxle, in 1908!

Sales were initially encouraging, with more than 8,000 E-M-F automobiles produced in the first year. The partners took to quarreling, however, and Everitt and Metzger soon departed to build the Everitt automobile. Meanwhile, Flanders diversified, adding a lower-cost Flanders 20, and entrusting distribution to Studebaker. By the time the Model 30 offered here was built, in 1911, Studebaker had taken over completely, and the cars were badged as being manufactured by that venerable South Bend concern.

The E-M-F offered here is bodied as a two-seat speedster, with bucket seats for the driver and a passenger; it retains the original fenders, as well as the original brass trim, which has responded well to a thorough polishing. Both the cream body finish and red leather upholstery have a wonderful patina of age about them, complemented by charming accessories that include brass side lamps, a flared bulb horn, a tool box, and a round fuel tank, which round out the car’s charming presentation.

The current owner acquired the car from the renowned John Moir “A-to-Z” Collection in Chocorua, New Hampshire, and has since performed extensive mechanical sorting to return it to running and driving condition. He recounts that he drove it up and down the aisles here at Hershey and enjoyed every moment of it!

A breezy, wind-in-your-face automobile that is ideal for numerous club tours, or simply for buzzing around country roads on a weekend morning, this E-M-F is an evocative survivor of America’s motoring past.