In 1908, Sears, Roebuck & 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, who 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 hp and drove through a friction transmission. 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. In 1910, Sears caved in to the fashion of the day and began calling it an “automobile.”

Prices actually went down as time went on. The basic Model G dropped to $370 for 1910, then to $325. In five years, some 3,500 were sold. Then the accountants had their say and announced that the company had lost money on each one. In the 1913 catalogues, automobiles were absent, but the 3,500 people who had bought them were more than satisfied.

This Model J Sears Motor Buggy is an older restoration. Of high quality, it has not been run in some time, but has cleaned up well and presents smartly. The body is gloss black with dainty red pin striping, which is also applied to the green wheels. The recipient of an AACA award, it is worthy of further judged competition.