HERE'S AN AUTOMOBILE YOU COULD PURCHASE THROUGH THE SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO. CATALOG!
The year was 1908 and ambitious catalog retailer Sears, Roebuck and Company were about to dive head-long into the relatively new world of motorized transportation. Ohio native Alvaro S Krotz, who had built electric cars under his name in 1903-04, approached the company with a design for a gasoline-powered high-wheeled style buggy and won the contract to make what would become in 1908 Sears entry into the marketplace. Research indicates that about 20 vehicles were placed into the market that year, most with the promise of obtaining testimonials for future advertising.
The decision came at the same time Henry Ford was introducing his Model T. Sears executives made the conscious decision to put a buggy design vehicle into their catalog with the knowledge that many of their customers were in rural areas where the high-wheel design worked best for what passed for roads in that day. Also, cost was a determining factor with their model being about half what the Ford cost.
The Sears Motor Buggy and the Sears Runabout debuted in the 1909 Sears spring catalog, with the difference being the Motor Buggy came with a top and fenders while the Runabout did not have such amenities. The initial production of the vehicle, which was powered by a two-cylinder air-cooled Reeves engine, was done at the Hercules Buggy Works in Evansville, IN. In late 2009, Sears leased a building at the intersection of Harrison and Loomis Streets in Chicago, IL and began hiring workers to move assembly to that location.
For 1910, Sears began to advertise offering five different models of the vehicle and for the first time referred to it as an automobile rather than a buggy. In reality the models (G, H, J, K and L) really referred to differing amenities offered as opposed to being different vehicles. The model G was a bare-bones unit and sold for $325 while the “loaded” model L carried a price tag of $495. Our model K was priced at $475, with the only difference being solid rubber tires on the K and pneumatic tires on the more expensive L.
Also for 1910, horsepower was increased from the Reeves engine to 14 horsepower with Sears advertising a top speed of 25 MPH. The Motor Buggy continued production into the 1912 model year when the Sears accountants informed management that the company had lost money on every vehicle sold. The factory finished the vehicles on hand and sold much of the machinery to the Lincoln Motor Car Works, a company that had been supplying arts to Sears. Approximately 3,500 vehicles were sold from 1908 to 1912 and one of the leading marque experts estimates there to be somewhere between 300 and 350 units still in existence in varying degrees of condition.
This 1910 Sears Motor Buggy Model K #2150 is an older restoration that still presents very well. It has been in the portfolio of the present owner for 16 years and has been running and driving under his ownership but we would recommend recommissioning before driving. The main body and wheels are finished in white, which is not a factory color. Black fenders serve as a stark accent to the body, creating a pleasant contrast. The top and interior are black and appear to be factory correct.
Offered for sale at $22,500 USD. Transportation can be arranged at buyer's expense. For additional information contact Steve Russell at Evergreen Digital Showroom, 417-532-8000.
Evergreen Digital Showroom will gladly entertain reasonable offers on all vehicles we represent. If you would like to make an offer on this vehicle please call sales manager Steve Russell at 417-532-8000 to discuss this further. If you have questions about this specific vehicle, feel free to contact us and we will attempt to provide you with that information.
For a complete listing of all the vehicles Evergreen Digital Showroom has for sale, please visit our website at www.evergreendigitalshowroom.com.
NOTICE
Because of the number of vehicles we represent we cannot drive every vehicle for long distances. These vehicles have been part of static displays for long periods of time, in some cases for decades, and are subject to the flaws and imperfections consistent with that. While we do our best to disclose all issues we known about a vehicle in our advertising, these are old cars and something that has always worked in the past might not function properly today. Please check the requirements of your state regarding the licensing and registration of classic vehicles and make sure the vehicle you are looking at meets those if applicable. Unless otherwise noted, all vehicles represented by Evergreen Digital Showroom possess a clean (non-branded) title which will be provided the new buyer when purchase funds clear our financial institution. Virtually all of our vehicles are sold as mileage exempt due to their age. We do not warranty any vehicle, nor any part of the vehicle including air conditioning systems, brake systems, electrical systems and gauges, fuel systems, accessories or powertrain components.
These are old vehicles and it is very common for them to require certain maintenance and upkeep for them to be operational. In many cases issues with leaks may develop when being driven after a long period of not being used. This is common, as classic cars at some point will leak fluids. For this reason, we do not encourage buyers to attempt driving their purchase home as we cannot guarantee functional reliability of these vehicles. We strongly encourage prospective buyers to be sure they are comfortable with these issues before purchasing a classic car.
Descriptions of vehicles represented by Evergreen Digital Showroom are intended to be informational in nature and do not in any way constitute any sort of warranty, expressed or implied. Again, these vehicles are presented “as-is, where-is” without guarantee or warranty. Vehicles manufactured prior to 1981 will likely not be included in the databases of companies such as CarFax and AutoCheck that provide vehicle history information to consumers. If you have specific questions regarding a vehicle we urge you to contact us at 417-532-8000.
