| The first decade of the 20th century saw a great race to build cars. George Schuster would get involved in the greatest car race in history, the 1908 New York to Paris Auto Race. Employed by the E. R. Thomas Motor Co. of Buffalo, Schuster became the principle mechanic and driver of the Thomas flyer winning that round the world race. Leaving New York City, he crossed the United States in 41 day arriving in San Francisco to complete the easiest part of the trip. He then boarded a freighter for Japan, crossed to Vladivostok, and set out to cross Siberia. When he ran out of roads, Schuster used railroad tracks. When he ran out of oil, he lubricated the engine with Vaseline. In 72 days he had a bed to sleep in only five times. On June 30, 1908 he drove the 60-p.h. Thomas Flyer into Paris ending a race of 169 days. He had several weeks lead on the other five cars - one Italian, three French, and one German.
George Schuster had put the U.S. on the world map and was given a wild and tumultuous welcome in New York City. President Theodore Roosevelt entertained him.
When the Thomas Motor Co. closed in 1912, Schuster traveled the world as a troubleshooter for the famed Pierce Arrow Automobile Co. of Buffalo. He then Usettled down" in Springville as a car dealer until his retirement. |
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