1919 Kissel Model 45 Speedster

At first, the name Kissel was associated with agricultural equipment, later with stationary gas engines. Beginning in 1906 and until the First World War, George and Wil Kissel built the Kissel Kar in Hartford, Wisconsin. With the advent of World War I, the brothers thought the name appeared too Germanic, so 'Kar' was dropped and the vehicle was referred to simply as Kissel. Despite their conservative nature, the brothers set about building very progressive and stylish automobiles, including a rakish speedster first introduced in 1917.

The Kissel Company of Hartford, Wisconsin, produced nearly 2,100 speedsters between 1918 and 1930. Early cars were fitted with a six-cylinder engine, while later models carried an eight-cylinder engine. Only 33 Kissel Speedsters are known today. This model 6-45 is the oldest Speedster known to exist. This very original car is shown as delivered, in black with black trim. The company introduced the early model as the 'Silver Special Speedster,' named to honor the designer Conover Silver.

In the early 1920's, a contest was held to name a yellow speedster. 'Gold Bug' was the winning name and it became the moniker by which all Kissel Speedsters are known today. This car was formerly owned by the Harrah Collection of Reno, Nevada. It is the oldest Kissel Speedster known to exist.

Production struggled to continue through the 1930 model year and Kissel fell into receivership in September of that year. During its heyday, the company attracted a rather formidable clientele. Fatty Arbuckle, Al Jolson, Eddie Duchin, Amelia Earhart, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, William S. Hart, Jack Dempsey, and Rudy Vallee all owned Kissels.

The Kissel Kar Company of Hartford, Wisconsin, was founded by brothers George and Will Kissel. It was in business from 1906 until 1930, before it entered receivership. This particular example is one of the 37 Kissel Speedsters known to exist. It received its first restoration by C.R. Funk of Orchard Lake, Michigan, in the mid-to-late 1950s. The Harrah Collection acquired it in 1970. In 1986, it was purchased by Knox Kershaw of Montgomery, Alabama, after the Harrah sale. Jane and Larry MacElree of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, acquired it in 1990 and owned it for nearly three decades before it entered the car of its current owner.

D.L. George Historic Motorcars of Cochranville, Pennsylvania, gave the car a documented restoration in 2017-2018. It currently wears its original all-black color scheme. It has the original aluminum dash, and original running board and flooring materials. The suspension, braking system, fuel system, gearbox, electrical system, and carburetor have been fully rebuilt.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2019