1910 Kissel Kar D10 Touring

The Kissel family of Hartford, Wisconsin created several businesses in the early 1900s, including the Kissel Motor Car Company. They dubbed their vehicle the Kissel Kar, but this was all to change after World War I, when the 'Kar' was dropped due to its Germanic tone. The Kissel brothers lived in the town of Hartford, Wisconsin where they made their living by creating engines and farm equipment. In 1906 they shifted their priorities to the evolving automobile market and created the Kissel Motor Company. The company was owned by Louis Kissel and his two sons, William and George.

The first Kissel Kar was manufactured in 1905 with volume production beginning the following year. They were a four-cylinder runabout with shaft drive with the early examples wearing coachwork by a sleigh manufacturer, and was powered by Beaver engines. Soon, the Kissels were making the entire vehicle themselves.

The Kissel Kars were well built, available on different wheelbase sizes, and - by 1909 - had prices ranging from $1350 to $3000. A six-cylinder model was also introduced that year. The following year, Kissel offered the LD-10 model which was a 4-cylinder 5-passenger Touring car built alongside the D-10, which was also a 4-cylinder, 50 horsepower model. The D-10 came as a 4-passenger Toy Tonneau or a 5-passenger Touring car. For customers wanting something slightly 'more', they could purchase the F-10 model, which also featured a 50-hp 4-cylidner, with a choice of 7-passenger Touring or 4-passenger Toy Tonneau bodies. The Model G-10 was even larger, with a 6-cyidner engine offering 60 horsepower in either the larger Touring or Toy Tonneau body styles.

The Kissel D-10 model rested on a wheelbase the measured 120 inches and was fitted with a 532 cubic-inch engine, with its cylinders cast in two pairs.

Throughout the years the company had its share of ups and downs. The reputation and prosperity of the company was founded on quality, durability, advanced design, outstanding performance, and dependability.

The Great Depression was responsible for the demise of the Kissel Automobile Company, and in 1930 they filed for bankruptcy. Its last efforts being large 6- and 8-cylinder vehicles for the 1931 model year. In 1935 the company was reorganized and named Kissel Industries where they produced motors for Sears, Roebuck and Company. In 1942 George Kissel passed away and the company was sold to West Bend Aluminum Company.

The current owner of this Kissel Kar D-10 was Mr. Robert Ullrich, who purchased the vehicle around 2005 from Bill Galarte of Soledad, California.

The car is powered by a 532 cubic-inch L-head engine fitted with a single carter carburetor and offering 50 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive and rear drum brakes. The first three gears of the gearbox are fully capable for lower-speed touring, while the top gear is a steep overdrive of 17 percent.

The car is finished in bright red with red leather upholstery, and a tan top and boot. There are large brass acetylene headlamps and accessory lights, windshield frame, and other items, along with a large wicker trunk basket behind the body.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2014