Editing Allstate (automobile) (section)

==Development==
[[File:1953 Allstate (sold by Sears) Kaiser Henry J at Rambler Ranch tour 2021 AMO convention 3of7.jpg|thumb|Allstate logo incorporating an outline of the United States on the hood]]

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 (automobile)|sedan]], introduced in 1950. 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.<ref name="Tate">{{cite web |last1=Tate |first1=Nigel R. |title=Car Show Classic - 1952-54 Sears Allstate: The American Dream, As Sold Through A Sears Store |url= https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/car-show-classic-1952-54-sears-allstate-the-american-dream-as-sold-through-a-sears-store/# |work=Curbside Classic |date=30 March 2022 |access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref> The catalog and retail chain was also interested in working out a deal.

Starting in 1945, Sears executive, Theodore Houser, discussed the idea with Kaiser-Frazer.<ref name="Motavalli">{{cite web |last1=Motavalli |first1=Jim |title=Remembering When Sears, Roebuck Sold Cars |url= https://www.cartalk.com/blogs/jim-motavalli/remembering-when-sears-roebuck-sold-cars |work=Car Talk |date=17 October 2018 |access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Motavalli"/> 

Thus, 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. The three-year delay was also partly due to resistance from existing Kaiser-Frazer dealerships fearing competition with Sears.

[[File:1953 Allstate (sold by Sears) Kaiser Henry J at Rambler Ranch tour 2021 AMO convention 4of7.jpg|thumb|upright|Jet plane hood ornament and center of grille]]
The Allstate was essentially a Henry J, but with several differences that included Allstate badges on the hood and rear deck, a more upscale interior of Saran plaid or occasionally leather or smooth vinyl, unique hubcaps/wheel covers, horn buttons and instrument bezels, a locking trunk lid, distinctive engine color (blue), custom armrests and sun visors, revised door locks and keys, and special parking and taillamp assemblies.<ref name="Flory">{{cite book|last=Flory, Jr. |first=J. "Kelly" |title=American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year |year=2008 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-3229-5}}</ref> The cars came finished in Sears-blue paint.<ref name="Motavalli"/> Most notably, the Allstate featured a unique two-bar grille and jet-plane hood ornament designed by [[Alex Tremulis]], who had come to Kaiser-Frazer from the [[Preston Tucker|Tucker Corporation]].<ref name="Motavalli"/> Tremulis described it as a "rush job" including the Allstate logo with an outline map of the United States.<ref name="Motavalli"/>