1926 Kissel 6-55 Speedster

During the 'Roaring Twenties' there were numerous auto manufacturers that would attempt to make their mark in history. Unfortunately, few would ever do so. However, Kissel would be one of those that managed to create a want and a desire with the public that transcended the company's size.

Kissel Motor Car Company would suffer from the Great Depression just like the rest of the United States. By 1930, Kissel would be bankrupt and would be defunct less than a year later. The logo would be lost to Ford Motor Company and this automotive manufacturing company would be lost to history. But what is truly amazing about the Kissel story is that for a period of time the company produced a car that was the 'bee's knees'.

Founded by Louis Kissel and his sons, Kissel Motor Car Company would be established in 1906 in Hartford, Wisconsin. Very quickly, the company would begin building high-quality automobiles including fire trucks, hearses, trucks and even taxicabs. During the First World War the company would grow as a result of producing trucks for the military.

Approaching the 'Roaring Twenties', the mood in the United States was changing. Following the Great War and the economic health of the country, people were looking for excitement and cars that looked the part and performed well were the most desirous thing around.

Kissel had already took steps to demonstrate its vitality donating one of its cars to actress Anita King for her transcontinental trip. Then, in 1919, the company would introduce a car that signified the era—the Gold Bug.

Featuring sporty looks but with simplistic styling, the Gold Bug Speedster looked like a grand prix car, but for the public. And oh would the public respond. The Gold Bug would be a car to have and such famous celebrities as Amelia Earhart and Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle would be among its clientele. However, one of the best endorsements of the car's 'sporty' side would come with an Indy 500 winner's (Ralph DePalma) purchase.

Powered by a 60hp inline six-cylinder engine and utilizing a 3-speed manual transmission, the car was responsive and rather quick for its day. Combined with a lightweight, two-place, chassis the performance and look of the car make the Speedster, by far, Kissel's most popular automobile.

Chassis 5513231, is one of the rare Kissel Gold Bugs still in existence. At one time part of the well-known Stanford Block collection, this Kissel had also served as part of another collection for some 15 years following its time with Block.

Since that time, the car has undergone an exhaustive restoration process. Completed in 2014, the car would also be repainted to the yellow it presently wears, along with the black fenders that adorn it.

Only around 150 Kissel automobiles are known to still exist this very day. Seeing that this is one of the proud Gold Bug Speedsters, 5513231 certainly holds a special place within the company's history and will certainly be a head-turner for generations to come, just as it had helped to introduce Americans to the sports-oriented automobile more than eighty years ago.

Offered for sale via the 2015 Bonhams Arizona auction, the 1926 Kissel 6-55 Gold Bug Speedster would sell for a price of $286,000, inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Jeremy McMullen

The Kissel Motorcar Company was started by the German immigrant brothers George and Will Kissel in 1906. Based in Hartford, Wisconsin, the company initially called its motorcars 'Kissel Kar.' With World War I, the company soon changed its name to just 'Kissel' as the 'Kar' portion carried anti-German sentiment. They produced a quality production with sound engineering and mid-priced. The early product was a four-cylinder 30 horsepower car introduced in 1907. By 1909, a 6-cylinder model was introduced. By 1917, they introduced a V12 powered car, but it would be their L-head long-stroke six, introduced in 1915, that would prove to be their most venerable production. It would remain in production until 1928.

The Kissel 'Gold Bug' was a favored transport of many celebrities of the day, including Amelia Earhart, Indy 500 winner Ralph DePalma and Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle. The car was the mastermind of one of the company's dealers. New York distributor Conover T. Silver commissioned the Speedster to his own design. The 'Gold Bug' designation came from a naming contest for the sports car organized by Kissel and was chosen from over 500 submissions.

Powering the Kissel was an engine that produced over 60 horsepower and offered strong torque. The body was a lightweight two-place body with sporty cycle fenders. The engine runs through a three speed transmission and is mated to a rear axle with sufficiently tall gearing for high-speed motoring.

Chassis number 5513231
This Speedster has been given a concours quality restoration. It features very rare Wood-Lite headlights, something not available on the earlier models, as well as the rare rear-mounted spare. Many of the earlier 'Gold Bugs' had two-wheel mechanical brakes; this example features four-wheel hydraulic brakes.

This car has been with the current New York owners for the past 15 years. It was acquired from Stanford Block in 1999.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2014