- Iconic Sears Motor Buggy
- Features running boards, fenders, and fringed Surrey top
- High-quality restoration
In 1908 Sears, Roebuck and Co. entered the automobile age. In that
year's fall mail-order catalogue appeared the Sears Motor Buggy, a
$395 high-wheel runabout. The impetus came from Alvaro S. Krotz, an
engineer and inventor. Krotz had designed a simple, inexpensive
car, visited Sears, and sold the giant company on placing it in
their catalogue.
First he needed a factory, and one was found in Chicago, Sears'
home territory. Krotz managed the new factory, and Sears' own W.M.
Tippett headed sales, while another Sears employee, Percy Herrick,
supervised production. The Motor Buggy was an assembled car, with
parts purchased from many sources, although some were specific to
this application. The engine was a two-cylinder horizontally
opposed air-cooled unit of 10 horsepower that drove through a
friction transmission, then a common design (and indeed used on
some lawn tractors to this day). A Schebler carburetor provided
fuel, which was ignited by a jump-spark from dry-cell batteries.
Lubrication was a combination of force-feed and splash. The chassis
was pressed steel, wheels were made of hickory with solid rubber
tires attached, and the steering tiller was on the left.
The basic model, with few amenities, was called Model G. Model H
added fenders and a top. Model J had running boards, and Model K
had cushion tires. The Sears Motor Buggy offered here is the Model
J version, with running boards, fenders, and fringed Surrey top.
Fitted with Yankee oil carriage lamps, it also has a taillight. The
tan leather dashboard matches the seats, which are buttoned in a
diamond pattern. Steering is by tiller on the left-hand side. Final
drive is via dual chains to the rear wheels.
In 1910 Sears caved to the fashion of the day and began calling it
"automobile."To view this car and others currently consigned to
this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/hf19.
