OK, how about a show of hands if you’ve heard of a Flanders? Well, I know my hand is down where it belongs because it’s a new one on me. New though it be in knowledge, it’s hardly a new marque. As a matter of fact, here’s a Flanders Studebaker Model 20 Roadster, dating back to 1912, located in Temecula, California, and available here on craigslist for $25,000. Thanks to Pat L. for this unusual tip!
Flanders automobiles were manufactured by a short-lived, Detroit based company called The E-M-F Automobile Company. How short-lived you ask? Five years of manufacturing between 1909 and 1913 – that’s short! Flanders was started in 1908 by an ex-Ford manager named Walter Flanders. With his partners, he created E-M-F to build cars that would compete with Ford’s Model T. There were two initial models offered, a Model 20, like this roadster and a larger Model 30. Studebaker handled the distribution and later was an investor in the project. By 1912, Studebaker had taken over E-M-F and sold Flanders automobiles under both the Flanders and Studebaker names.
This particular example, which sold for about $700 new, is powered by a 155 CI, flat-head, in-line four-cylinder engine that generates 20 HP and drives through a three-speed manual transmission. The seller states that this Model 20 has a new clutch and electric starter (it was originally hand-cranked) and has been well maintained, no word on how well it actually runs.
The interior of this Flanders is magnificent. Normally this is quite a feat on a roadster of this era because the inside is sort of outside too. There is a convertible top but it’s not much more than a bimini top as it doesn’t afford the interior too much protection from the elements. The seller claims that this roadster was restored in 1950 and again in 2000 so it has had quite a bit of effort bestowed upon it in attempts to preserve its originality and condition; it looks it!
The exterior is as is the interior, it is in amazing condition for being “only” 108 years old. The brass work, body panels, wooden wheels, wood trim, and all components show as new. The seller tells that this Flanders has spent all of those 108 years in Hawaii or California and even served at one point as the “Pinzoil” (Pennzoil?) poster car. The seller adds that this roadster needs some TLC but if it is the aesthetics, it must be minor.
This Flanders Model 20 would make a great addition to a museum or an antique car collection – its obscurity is what makes it, in my thought process, much more interesting than another Ford Model T. So, back to my opening question, who has ever heard of a Flanders automobile and is there anything else that you can add to the story of these seldomly seen cars?
Thanks to David Traver Adolphus from Hemmings Classic Car for details on Flanders automobiles.
Yep… my dads was blue and I failed the test.
Flanders? That’s the left handed guy who lives next door to Homer.
When the quality of a company comes out.
Stupid Flanders. D’oh!
Well Hi-Diddly-Ho there neighbor!
Well there you have it ..
spending leisure in Hawaii makes one not age hard and still look good .
Who knows it could of been an original surfer 🏄♀️ car 😎
I think the car looks super cool 😎
A friend of mine in South Africa, the late Peter Redman, brother of Jim Redman the six time motorcycle racing world champion and up to a couple of years ago, raced the 250cc Honda Six cylinder racing bike in USA, owned an EMF which was one very high quality veteran car.
Stupid, sexy Flanders.
Wow. You must be a member… yep. Nice picture. Sometimes they’re hard to see through all the ads.
Weasel, anyone can do it….. Become a member, and get AdBlocker.
Learned about a “new” brand today. Thanks for the education.
Look up Floyd Clymer….. That car is a jewel !
And so was Floyd Clymer! I have copies of his “Historical Scrapbook” No.s 1-8 and they are very interesting reading both about early America, Pikes Peak and Floyd himself. Google him for a very interesting read for all petrolheads.
When I was a wee lad my Dad gave me one of them, I got no what happened to it, that was eons ago.
Terrific example of an “Orphan” brand Brass Era car.
Wonderful to see it here.
Yes I heard of Flanders the car and EMF. Don’t know as I’ve ever seen one in the flesh though. I have not heard of Flanders the neighbor so the Simpsons references escape me.
E-M-F = Everitt, Metzger, Flanders were three early movers and shakers in the automobile business, unsong heroes who have been mostly forgotten by history – but the industry wouldn’t be what it is today without them. The Flanders was the smaller car – just 20 hp. The E-M-F was a 30 hp. The E-M-F was quite popular before being absorbed into the Studebaker family. Detractors used the three initials to come up with some clever sayings – Every Morning, Fix it, Every Man’s Failure, etc. Well worth your time to do more research into the men behind the car – you might be surprised where it takes you!
I have a book, “Three Men in a Motorcar”, autographed by the author, Winthrop Scarritt, to “Walter E. Flanders, One of the World’s Greatest Motorcar Builders, With compliments and Best Wishes of the Author, Winthrop E. Scarritt, March 9, 1911”. Great bit of automotive history.