Mario's Tribute to Sears Allstate Car 1952-1953.

1 Sears 1908 Motor Buggy. The Sears retail chain had previously marketed vehicles made by the Lincoln Motor Car Works under the name "Sears Motor Buggy" between 1908 and 1912.

2 Sears 1910 Motor Buggy. These horseless carriages were of the "high-wheeler" variety with large wagon-type wheels. Their high ground clearance was well-suited to muddy, wagon-rutted country roads.

3 Customers were accustomed to mail ordering through the Sears catalog, and the Sears Motor Buggy could be delivered to the nearest railroad station.

4 A wood crate would arrive, and the customer had to install the wheels and add oil to the engine.

5 Sears deemed the product not profitable at $395 and it was dropped from the catalog after 3,500 orders.

6 Magazine advertisement for the Sears Motor Buggy for the low price of $395.

7 1952 Allstate Six 2 door fastback. The Sears Allstate was an automobile sold by Sears, Roebuck in Department stores and their Sears Catalog between 1952 and 1953. Essentially a rebadged version of the Kaiser-Frazer Henry J. The marketing slogan was "Your one brand new car for '52! Allstate!"

8 1952 Allstate Six 2 door fastback. It was produced in limited quantities and is now considered a collector's item due to its unique history and design. Series 4 cars used a 134 cu in L-head 4 cyl engine producing 68 hp. Series 6 was powered by a 161 cu in L-head 6 cyl rated at 80 hp, both built by Willys. A three-speed manual transmission was standard, with overdrive available for $104 extra.

9 1952 Allstate Six 2 door fastback. The Allstate was the brainchild of Henry J. Kaiser, who saw distribution by Sears as another means to mass-market his slow-selling "Henry J" two-door sedan, introduced in 1950.

10 1952 Allstate Optional Plaid Interior and Instrument Panel. The independent automakers at the time, such as Kaiser-Frazer, could compete with the vast dealer networks marketing the cars made by the "Big Four" auto companies at the time.

11 1952 Allstate Series 6 powered by a 161 cu in L-head 6 cyl rated at 80 hp. The catalog and retail chain were also interested in working out a deal.

12 1952 Allstate. Starting in 1945, Sears executive, Theodore Houser, discussed the idea with Kaiser-Frazer.

13 1952 Allstate. Allstate automobiles were planned to be built on the senior Kaiser platforms. The concept came together after Kaiser-Frazer developed the affordable Henry J model.

14 1952 Allstate. After three years of negotiations between Kaiser-Frazer and Sears, the production of Allstate was announced on November 20, 1951 by Sears merchandising vice president, Theodore V. Houser, and Kaiser-Frazer administrative vice president, Eugene Trefethen.

15 1952 Allstate Front view. The three-year delay was also partly due to resistance from existing Kaiser-Frazer dealerships fearing competition with Sears. The Allstate was essentially a Henry J, but with several differences that included Allstate badges on the hood and rear deck.

16 1952 Allstate Rear view. A roomy trunk with a locking trunk lid unique to the Allstate car not found on the Henry J.

17 1952 Allstate Interior. A more upscale interior of Saran plaid or occasionally leather or smooth vinyl, unique hubcaps/wheel covers, horn buttons and instrument bezels. Custom armrests and sun visors, revised door locks and keys were also standard.

18 1952 Allstate. Most notably, the Allstate featured a unique two-bar grille (Henry J had a 1 bar grill) and jet-plane hood ornament designed by Alex Tremulis, who had come to Kaiser-Frazer from the Tucker Corporation. Tremulis described it as a "rush job" including the Allstate logo with an outline map of the United States.

19 1952 Allstate. Distinctive engine color (blue), custom armrests and sun visors, revised door locks and keys, and special parking and taillamp assemblies were unique to Allstate.

20 1952 Allstate. In 1952 the Allstate was built by Kaiser-Frazer in Willow Run, MI and was based on Kaiser's compact Henry J. For 1952, the Series 4 (4 cyl) Basic version sold for $1,395. The Series 6 (6 cyl) Basic version was priced at $1,594.

21 1953 Allstate. In 1953 the Allstate was built by Kaiser-Willys in Toledo, Ohio. No appearance changes were made for 1953. In 1953 prices increased substantially. The entry-level Series 4 Standard Model 210 sold for $1,528 and the Series 6 was now only offered in the upscale DeLuxe Model 215 version at $1,785 and was the most popular Allstate.

22 1953 Allstate. The standard Allstate interior material was made from tightly twisted strands of paper that were woven together and then coated in plastic, which proved to be unusually durable and attractive. This enhancement eliminated the need for seat covers.

23 1953 Allstate. One body style was offered, a fastback two-door sedan in two trim and equipment levels, Series 4 (4 cyl) and Series 6 (6 cyl).

24 1953 Allstate. Wheelbase 100 in, Length 178 in, width 70 in.

25 1953 Allstate. One mechanical difference between Allstate and Henry J was that Allstate cars were equipped with Allstate-brand tires, tubes, spark plugs, and batteries, all with their own Sears "Triple Guarantee" warranties.

26 1953 Allstate. With optional high taillights and back up lights.

27 1953 Allstate. A three-speed manual transmission was standard, with overdrive available for $104 extra.

28 1953 Allstate. Unlike early Henry Js, which were built without trunk lids to reduce costs, the Allstate cars featured a regular opening trunk lid.

29 1953 Allstate. Standard vinyl interior shown.

30 1953 Allstate. Standard 4 cyl engine 134 cu in L-head 4 cyl engine producing 68 hp.

31 1953 Allstate. While some Sears outlets tried to stock at least one sample of the car, most were built on demand by Kaiser-Frazer, which made delivery to the store where they were sold.

32 1953 Allstate. Kaiser-Frazer urged its dealers to service Allstate cars when asked.

33 1953 Allstate. Many Kaiser-Frazer dealers were displeased to see "their cars" sold by another outlet, especially since the Allstate carried more standard equipment, yet sold at a lower price than the Henry J.

34 1953 Allstate. Sears did not accept trade-ins from Allstate buyers, and there may have been a reluctance to buy a car through a department store where service was thought to be questionable.

35 1953 Allstate. Optional full wheel hubcaps and whitewall tires in Sears Blue body paint.

36 1953 Allstate. With optional high taillights and back up lights.

37 1953 Allstate. The lack of a trade-in program by Sears proved to be a serious impediment to the sale of the Allstate car. And after just 2 model years, Sears discontinued the car.

38 1953 Allstate. Standard taillights were small and round mounted on rear back panel above the bumper.

39 1953 Allstate. A total of 2,363 Allstates were sold during two model years before Sears discontinued the marque: 1,566 during 1952 and 797 in 1953. Kaiser discontinued the Henry J the following year.

40 1953 Allstate. Standard taillights were mounted where optional back up lights would be.

41 1953 Allstate. The only body style was a 2-door fastback sedan.

42 1952 Allstate ad. Your One Brand New Car for ’52.

43 Sears 4-cylinder engine 134 cu in L-head 68 hp in Sears Blue color.

44 1952 Allstate ad.

45 1952 Allstate ad.

46 1952 Allstate ad.

47 1952 Allstate ad.

48 The Allstate has become a car desired by collectors as reflected in the few remaining examples in original condition and by their current market values.

49 1953 Aftermarket seat covers were popular accessories in the 1950s; many were made of this material to provide durability.

50 1953 Allstate logo incorporating an outline of the United States on the hood.

51 1952 Allstate ad showing Allstate logo on hood.

52 The Allstate logo with an outline map of the United States.

53 1912 Sears Motor Cars ad “Better Than Ever” for $335 to $535.

54 1952 Sears Allstate car ad “Brand New Place To Buy At Sears”.

55 Sears Auto Center from the past.