1905 Sears Gas Auto at Williston, TN - 2003

Rare Sears automobile, 1905 (?), 2-cylinder gasoline engine, air cooled, in horizintal configuration under the seat. Variable speed drive.
A rubber wheel located on the shaft under the seat, just behind the small chain sprocket, slid side-to-side on a splined shaft. You can see the shaft from this sliding wheel leading across and up to a foot lever. Sliding the rubber wheel out across the diameter of the engine flywheel made the car go faster. The flywheel and the rubber wheel are perpendicular to each other, like a penny stood on end on a dinner plate.

The engine layout matched that of the old BMW motorcycles.

Engine is started with hand crank on front of car.
Headlights were carbide type, like miner's lamps.

Notice the lack of a steering wheel.
Turning was accomplished via the tiller handle.

Spokes in the wheels are wood, just like a horse and buggy. Rear sprockets are bolted to the wood spokes.

Owner was rumored to be offered a large sum by Jay Leno. Owner said "No deal".
I believe there are only of few of these Sears cars of this vintage in the world?

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Sears
• Automobile
• 1905

[steamnut2008]

See excellent YouTube videos by others which explain almost every part of the car in detail.

[TheRyanCarMan]

A car museum in Alberta has a Sears I think. I'm not sure. Anyways, thanks for sharing! I agree with sonichedgie that they sound great. New car's engines sound like overpowered electric engines while idling!

[sonichedgie]

why old car's engine sounds so great

[1905sears]

Enjoyed the video. I have one of these have had a hard time finding anyone that knows much about them. Please contact me.

Thanks, 1905sears