1923 Kissel Model 45 Speedster

The Kissel Automobile was built in Hartford, Wisconsin from 1907 to 1931. Like many German immigrant families in Wisconsin, the Kissels made their initial fortunes in the farming business and expanded into other business ventures including lumber mills, quarries, sand pits, real estate and homebuilding. Vehicle production began in 1906 for the 1907 model year on a vehicle that featured a four-cylinder engine installed on a 96-inch wheelbase chassis. The quality of the Kissels' automobile was recognized by the prominent Chicago dealership W.A. McDuffee, who immediately placed an order for 100 cars for his dealership.

By 1909, Kissel was offering vehicles with three different engines and chassis variations with prices ranging from $1,350 to $3,000. The Kissel Company continued to grown and in 1915 introduced its famous long stroke six-cylinder L-head engine which would be used with minimal changes until 1928.

The sportiest vehicles ever built by Kissel were designed by their New York distributor, Conover T. Silver. Among these sporting Kissels were a speedster which featured an innovative use of two outrigger seats which slid in and out of the side of the body like a drawer. This model, known as the Goldbug Speedster, is considered to be one of the most desirable of all Kissel cars.

Only 50 to 150 Speedsters per year were custom made between 1919 and 1928. The Kissel Model 6-45 is powered by a 284 cubic-inch 6-cylinder L-head engine developing 61 horsepower and a three-speed manual transmission. It weighs 4,000 pounds.

This Gold Bug is one of 3 Model 6-45 Speedsters known to survive. It was sold originally in Hollywood, California, and is equipped with the Kissel 'Hollywood Option' package of nickeled bar bumpers, exhaust cutout, and E&J Headlamps. It also has the signature Kissel 'outrigger seats' offered on the first 4 years of Speedsters.