2. The 1909 Sears catalog included a car called the “Motor Buggy” and a garage in which to keep it
In 1909 Sears proudly offered its Motor Buggy in two versions in its catalogs, with the price depending on whether the consumer preferred the base model, which lacked fenders and a top ($370.00 and called the Runabout) or the dressed up Motor Buggy which not only added those features, but which came complete with a gallon of lubricating oil, three oil-burning lamps, genuine rubber tires on its wheels, and a storm front (today what would be called a windshield). The top model was $395, and Sears promised it was capable of running at all speeds from 1 to 25 miles per hour, making it, “Speedy, Economical, Noiseless, Durable and Safe”. According to the advertisement, it was so simple that a child could run it, though the picture featured a woman driving the machine.
Sears offered the Motor Buggy under the terms of cash only, the Sears Credit Card was still something of the future at the time. Recognizing that the purchaser of the car may need a place to store the vehicle when not in use, Sears directed the catalog reader to the Building Materials and Mill Work Pages of the catalog for information on “Ready Made Portable Garages”. Sears also offered an upgrade package of options, which consisted of electric lamps and a generator to run them for another $12.95, rather than the standard oil burning lamps. The ad promised that the vehicle was so complete that there was nothing left for the owner to buy but gasoline (which at the time was available mostly from pharmacies and dry cleaners).