Sears Roebuck and Company only marketed two cars during their history, and this was one of them. The other was the Sears Motor Buggy and sold to customers through their mail-order catalog. The Allstate was actually Kaiser-Frazer but with different badging and a few slightly re-engineered components. The cars were sold at select Sears, Roebuck and Co. stores, mostly in the south and southeast. The vehicles came equipped with Sears components such as tires, batteries, and belts. The interior is extremely unique, with its upholstery comprised of strands of paper twisted and coated in vinyl, then weaved into colorful plaid designs. Remarkably, the interior was championed as being comfortable and durable.
In their first year, the Allstate Company sold 900 cars. This is very low but considering that the car was only sold at select Sears stores and only in a small region of the United States, this was actually very good. In the following year, they only sold 372 cars. Sears decided to stick with their bread-and-butter of selling batteries, tires, and other automotive components.
During the two years of production, 2300 examples were produced with fewer than 2000 sold. Ever since their inception, these vehicles are very rare. They were outfitted with either a four or six-cylinder engine capable of producing between 68 and 80 horsepower. Four-wheel hydraulic brakes provided the stopping power while the three-speed manual gearbox with optional overdrive sent the power to the rear wheels. The body was constructed of steel and sat atop a 100-inch double drop box section with five cross members. There were two doors and seating for five. The price tag was reasonable, costing a mere $1528 when new.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
In their first year, the Allstate Company sold 900 cars. This is very low but considering that the car was only sold at select Sears stores and only in a small region of the United States, this was actually very good. In the following year, they only sold 372 cars. Sears decided to stick with their bread-and-butter of selling batteries, tires, and other automotive components.
During the two years of production, 2300 examples were produced with fewer than 2000 sold. Ever since their inception, these vehicles are very rare. They were outfitted with either a four or six-cylinder engine capable of producing between 68 and 80 horsepower. Four-wheel hydraulic brakes provided the stopping power while the three-speed manual gearbox with optional overdrive sent the power to the rear wheels. The body was constructed of steel and sat atop a 100-inch double drop box section with five cross members. There were two doors and seating for five. The price tag was reasonable, costing a mere $1528 when new.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
Allstate
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