Model 36

Model 36 Touring Period Images Home
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1907 model year.

4 cylinder 60hp engine, 118" wheelbase.
We're always following fenders, doors, and chainboxes.
There was again a variety of fenders, but this is the first appearance of the flat step plate on top of the chainbox.

The early production Model 36's continued the flared and lipped fender of the Model 31 of the previous year.
No known period Model 36 images show a lipped rear fender.

1907 Preliminary Announcement

1907 Catalog

1907 Catalog

1907 Catalog

Detroit Public Library
This appears to be a factory photograph.
It was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Nov. 11, 1906.

Detroit Public Library
This is the only other known period photo of a Model 36 with lipped front fenders.
It also shows the tin chainbx and straight-sided running board of the Model 31.
Perhaps it was a factory development car.

In very short order, the factory changed back to flat front fenders.

New York Tribune, Jan. 16, 1907
This fine image was in a full two-page spread advertisement by star dealer Harry Houck in New York City.

The Automobile, Jan. 17, 1907

Buffalo Courier, Feb. 22, 1907 taken Feb. 21, 1907
Elsie Janis, 19-year-old stage actress, impressionist, and motorhead.
She was a frequent guest at motoring events, and attended (and reported on) the 1907 Buffalo Auto Show.
She may have gotten her first taste of the Thomas magic here, in a car provided by the factory.

Automobile Topics, Mar. 23, 1907 Harry S. Houpt and friends in Central Park

The Automobile, Jul. 18, 1907
Larger-than-life Chicago agent C. A. Coey, winning the 24-hour endurance race on the Harlem track in Chicago, with 846 miles,
His relief driver fell ill, and he drove the last 8 hours himself.

The Automobile, Aug. 18, 1907
When the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers held their meeting in Buffalo,
the Mechanical Branch toured the Thomas factory, then hopped in a fleet of Model 36's to tour the parks.

Motor Field, Nov. 1907
Marguerite Frey, voted the most beautiful woman in Colorado.

San Francisco Town Talk, Nov. 16, 1907
R. M. Tobin's demi-limousine - not listed in the catalog,
but harking back to the 1906 concept of a standard touring car with a removable platform top.

Automobile Topics, Nov. 30, 1907
A railroad strike in Nevada caused mail to back up in Manhattan, NV.
A. G. Raycraft's Model 36 was pressed into service to deliver mail to the gold mining district during the outage.

Automobile Topics, Dec. 14, 1907
Francis J. Heney, front passenger, Mr. & Mrs. Shepard and Mrs. Heney in rear, at Del Monte, CA

Automobile Topics, Dec. 12, 1907
In Dec. 1907, the Automobile Club of Washington (DC) held a Sealed Bonnet contest.
A Model 36 was the pilot car.

Automobile Topics, Dec. 12, 1907

Chicago InterOcean, Dec. 29, 1907
Elsie Janis was so fond of Thomas that she bought this one for herself, and named it the "Gray Streak."
In June of that year, needing to get from her Philadelphia show to her Pittsburgh show,
she drove the car across Pennsylvania, in a total of 41 hours, arriving just at showtime.
(Note that this was 8 months prior to the New York to Paris race.)

San Francisco Town Talk, Jan. 11, 1908 Mary Quive of St. Louis

Motor Field, Feb. 1908
Next time you're in San Francisco and want to drive a Model 36 around, just rent one!

Washington Times , Feb. 9, 1908 Lillian Russell driving

The Automobile, May. 7, 1908 Fred Moselein on the Harrisburg Endurance Run

Thomases participated in many group tours and endurance runs in 1907.
The next 6 photos appear to be from such events.
See also 1907 Non-stop, 1907 Glidden Tour, and 1909 Good Roads Tour.

The first two are of the same car.