1909 Sears Model J

Sold for $35,200 at 2017 RM Sothebys : Hershey.
Sears, Roebuck & Co. entered the automobile business in 1908 and offered cars through their catalog through 1912. The Sears Motor Buggy was first offered in the 1908 Fall mail-order catalogue, with the high-wheel runabout having a base price of $395. The idea had come from, Alvaro S. Krotz, an engineer, and inventor. He had designed a simple, inexpensive car, and was able to convince Sears to place it in their catalogue.

Krotz managed the factory, located in Chicago, Illinois. W.M. Tippett headed sales and Percy Herrick supervised production.

Like many vehicles from this era, the Motor Buggy was an assembled car, with parts sourced from many suppliers. The engine was a two-cylinder horizontally opposed air-cooled unit of 10 horsepower and drove through a friction transmission. The wheels were made of hickory with solid rubber tires attached. The chassis was pressed steel, and the steering tiller was on the left.

As the years progressed, the prices decreased. For 1910, the basic Model G had dropped to $370, then to $325.

In five years, some 3,500 were sold. It is said that the company lost money on each one.

This particular example is a Model J Motor Buggy. It has a gloss black exterior with red pin striping and green wheels. It is the recipient of an AACA award.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2017