After a year long research exercise, I have compiled reference information for all of the 44 different Sears Spaceliner models. If anyone has better photos for a specific model please contact me and I will add them to this reference.
PRODUCTION NOTES
Spaceliners were designed by renowned industrial designer,
Victor Schrekendost, and produced for model years 1964-68 (5 years), by Murray for Sears (debuted in the Fall/Winter catalog in late 1963). It was introduced as the new top middle-weight model when Sears discontinued production of the Flightliner at the end of 1963. Prior to this time, bikes sold by Sears were branded J.C. Higgins, but beginning in 1964 (the year of the first Spaceliner) branding of all bikes was changed to Sears. In 1964 and 1965 they had a straight-tank design which was phased out at the end of 1965
(with the exception of the painted frame models) when the '
Forward Thrust' (7-style tank) design was introduced for the 1966-68 model years (debuted in the Fall/Winter catalog in late 1965).
The chrome frame Spaceliners can be grouped into three tiers (referred to here as Deluxe, Standard, and Base). Sears also produced painted-frame Spaceliners in addition to their chrome models. The top tier, fully-optioned chrome bikes, are referred to here as 'Deluxe'. The 'Standard' and 'Base' tier chrome bikes are considered mid-range (fewer features), while the painted bikes are the entry-level models. Most of the full-size bikes were also available with an optional 2-speed, kick-back Bendix rear hub, and were assigned a different model number if they came with this feature.
The painted straight-tank models were the only models produced for all 5 years of Spaceliner production (the chrome, straight-tank models were phased out in late 1965). When the 7-style tank (Forward Thrust) models were introduced for the 1966-68 model years, a painted 7-style tank version was added to the line-up which gave both straight & 7-style tank choices for the painted frame models during those 3 years from 1966-68.
Bikes came in larger Men's/Women's size (26" wheels and full size frames) or Boy's/Girl's size (24" wheels and smaller frames), but Sears referred to all sizes as either Boy's or Girl's in their catalogs and used the model number to distinguish between sizes.
Depending on model and year, prices ranged between about $39 for a painted model to $65 for a top-tier Deluxe model.
THE BIKES
Serial numbers are found on the rear wheel drop outs. The first three serial number digits (502) are Murray's identification code for Sears.
Digits 4-8 of the bike serial number indicate the model number. The final digits are the unique frame identification number.
In most cases, bikes are grouped into families in the table below (i.e. Deluxe family, Standard family, Base family). Each 'family' usually contains three different models that are identical except for size (26" or 24") and whether or not the 26" version has a 2-speed hub option (such details are noted in the table descriptions). Highlighted model numbers in the table are linked to external reference photos
(although the images might be of a single specific model, they are representative of ALL three models within each Deluxe, Standard or Base family). Clicking on the highlighted model numbers will open up a browser window with photos, and in some cases Sears catalog scans, for the appropriate models. There are also additional descriptive details added to the photo pages.
CHROME 'STRAIGHT-TANK' MODELS (1964 & 1965 Model Years)
NOTE: To save space,
unless otherwise noted all CHROME frame models were equipped with head lights, tear-drop double reflectors on the rear fender, chrome chain ring caps, seat crash bars and painted rear racks. These specifications are common to all chrome frame models and therefore aren't noted below unless modified for a particular model, in which case the modification is noted.
Men's / Boy's
46901 (1964-65, 26",
Deluxe chrome, Men's, 1-speed, springer fork, tail light, horn)
46921 (1964-65, 26",
Deluxe chrome, Men's, 2-speed, springer fork, tail light, horn)
46961 (1964-65, 24",
Deluxe chrome, Boy's, 1-speed, springer fork, tail light, horn)
46940 (1964-65, 26",
Standard chrome, Men's, 1-speed, front truss bars but no springer fork, 2 rack reflectors instead of tail light, horn)
46980 (1964-65, 26",
Standard chrome, Men's, 2-speed, front truss bars but no springer fork, 2 rack reflectors instead of tail light, horn)
46960 (1964-65, 24",
Standard chrome, Boy's, 1-speed, front truss bars but no springer fork, 2 rack reflectors instead of tail light, horn)
46306 (1964-65, 26",
Base chrome,
Men's, 1-speed, no truss bars & no springer fork, no tail light or rack reflectors, no crash bar, no chain ring cap, 1 round fender reflector)
Women's / Girl's
46911 (1964-65, 26",
Deluxe chrome, Woman's, 1-speed, springer fork, tail light, horn)
46931 (1964-65, 26",
Deluxe chrome, Woman's, 2-speed, springer fork, tail light, horn)
46971 (1964-65, 24",
Deluxe chrome, Girl's, 1-speed, springer fork, tail light, horn)
46950 (1964-65, 26",
Standard chrome, Women's, 1-speed, front truss bars but no springer fork, 2 rack reflectors instead of tail light, horn)
46990 (1964-65, 26",
Standard chrome, Women's, 2-speed, front truss bars but no springer fork, 2 rack reflectors instead of tail light, horn)
46970 (1964-65, 24",
Standard chrome, Girl's, 1-speed, front truss bars but no springer fork, 2 rack reflectors instead of tail light, horn)
46316 (1964-65, 26",
Base chrome,
Women's, 1-speed, no truss bars & no springer fork, no tail light or rack reflectors, no crash bar, no chain ring cap, 1 round fender reflector)
CHROME '7-STYLE' TANK MODELS (1966-68 Model Years)
Men's / Boy's
46902 (1966-68, 26",
Deluxe chrome, Men's, 1-speed, springer fork, chrome rear rack, top mounted tail light, horn)
46922 (1966-68, 26",
Deluxe chrome, Men's, 2-speed, springer fork, chrome rear rack, top mounted tail light, horn)
46962 (1966-68, 24",
Deluxe chrome, Boy's, 1-speed, springer fork, chrome rear rack, top mounted tail light, horn)
46942 (1966-68, 26",
Standard chrome, Men's, 1-speed, front truss bars but no springer fork, 2 rack reflectors instead of tail light, horn)
46982 (1966-68, 26",
Standard chrome, Men's, 2-speed, front truss bars but no springer fork, 2 rack reflectors instead of tail light, horn)
46962 (1966-68, 24",
Standard chrome, Boy's, 1-speed, front truss bars but no springer fork, 2 rack reflectors instead of tail light, horn)
46943 (1966-68, 26",
Base chrome,
Men's, 1-speed, no truss bars & no springer fork, no horn, no tail light or rack reflectors, no crash bar, no chain ring cap, 1 round fender reflector)
46983 (1966-68, 26",
Base chrome,
Men's, 2-speed, no truss bars & no springer fork, no horn, no tail light or rack reflectors, no crash bar, no chain ring cap, 1 round fender reflector)
46963 (1966-68, 24",
Base chrome,
Boy's, 1-speed, no truss bars & no springer fork, no horn, no tail light or rack reflectors, no crash bar, no chain ring cap, 1 round fender reflector)
Woman's / Girl's
46912 (1966-68, 26",
Deluxe Women's, 1-speed, springer fork, chrome rear rack, top mounted tail light, horn)
46932 (1966-68, 26",
Deluxe Women's, 2-speed, springer fork, chrome rear rack, top mounted tail light, horn)
46972 (1966-68, 24",
Deluxe Girls's, 1-speed, springer fork, chrome rear rack, top mounted tail light, horn)
46952 (1966-68, 26",
Standard chrome, Women's, 1-speed, front truss bars but no springer fork, 2 rack reflectors instead of tail light, horn)
46992 (1966-68, 26",
Standard chrome, Women's, 2-speed, front truss bars but no springer fork, 2 rack reflectors instead of tail light, horn)
46972 (1966-68, 24",
Standard chrome, Girl's, 1-speed, front truss bars but no springer fork, 2 rack reflectors instead of tail light, horn)
46953 (1966-68, 26",
Base chrome,
Women's, 1-speed, no truss bars & no springer fork, no horn, no tail light or rack reflectors, no crash bar, no chain ring cap, 1 round fender reflector)
46993 (1966-68, 26",
Base chrome,
Women's, 2-speed, no truss bars & no springer fork, no horn, no tail light or rack reflectors, no crash bar, no chain ring cap, 1 round fender reflector)
46973 (1966-68, 24",
Base chrome,
Girl's, 1-speed, no truss bars & no springer fork, no horn, no tail light or rack reflectors, no crash bar, no chain ring cap, 1 round fender reflector)
PAINTED MODELS
NOTE: Specifications common to all of the painted models, and therefore not repeated below unless otherwise noted for clarification, are: tear drop double reflector on rear fender, no springer fork, no front truss bars, no horn, no tail light or rack reflectors, no seat crash bar, no chain ring cap. Details that vary by model number are shown below.
Men's / Boy's
46303 (1964-68, 26", Straight Tank, Men's, 1-speed, 1 round rear fender reflector in 64-65 was changed to a tear-drop reflector plus 2 rack reflectors in 66-68)
46343 (1964-68, same specs as 46303, 2-speed)
46323 (1964-68, 24" with same specs as 46303)
46305 (1966-68, 26", 7-Tank, Men's, 1-speed, tear-drop reflector, 2 rack reflectors)
46345 (1966-68, same specs as 46305, 2-speed)
46325 (1966-68, 24" with same specs as 46305)
Woman's / Girl's
46313 (1964-68, 26", Straight Tank, Women's, 1-speed, 1 round rear fender reflector in 64-65 was changed to a tear-drop reflector plus 2 rack reflectors in 66-68)
46353 (1964-68, 26", same specs as 46313, 2-speed)
46333 (1964-68, 24" with same specs as 46313)
46315 (1966-68, 26", 7-Tank, Women's, 1-speed, tear-drop reflector, 2 rack reflectors)
46355 (1966-68, same specs as 46315, 2-speed)
46335 (1966-68, 24" with same specs as 46315)
Copyright 2012
