1926 Kissel 8-75

Founded in 1907, the Kissel Kar Company was established by two grandsons of German immigrants in Hartford, Wisconsin. The Kissel family had become successful as hardware merchants, property owners, land developers and lumber mill operators in the late 19th Century. When they decided to enter the automobile business they immediately hired Herman Palmer, another German immigrant with an engineering background and J. Fredrich Werner, a German coachbuilder who was living in America.

In 1918, the word 'Kar' was replaced by 'Car' in reaction to the post World War One anti-German sentiment. The Kissel Car Company produced cars, trucks and ambulances. With a reputation for building sporty and fast vehicles, they began supplying vehicles to many of Hollywood's premier movie stars including Fatty Arbuckle, Al Jolson, and Mary Pickford. Production of automobiles came to an end in late 1930.

Speedster

This 1926 Kissel Model 75 'Gold Bug' Speester has been treated to a concours standard restoration and remains in concours condition in modern times. It is painted in light green with dark green fenders, tan leather upholstery and a tan cloth top. It has a rumble seat, stainless steel spoke wire wheels with dark green hubs and rims and chrome lock rings, Woodlite headlights, a Kissel Motometer, pedestal-mounted spotlight, jeweled cowl lights, wind wings, wooden running boards with chrome trim, golf bag brackets on both sides of the body a Solar Type A taillight with Kissel branded lens, windshield wiper and an all-wood four-spoke steering wheel.

Speedster

The Kissel Kar Company was an American car company founded by Louis Kissel and his sons, George and William, on June 5, 1906 in Hartford, Wisconsin. The company custom built high-quality automobiles, hearses, fire trucks, taxicabs and utility vehicles. They offered trucks of 1.5, 2, 3, 4, and 5 ton capacities.

During World War I they produced trucks for the military and prospered after the war, but with stiff competition and the Great Depression, mounting losses and an attempted hostile take-over, the company was forced into receivership in 1930.

The cars themselves were very well assembled. They became a favorite of the Hollywood elite, such as Fatty Arbuckle, Amelia Earhart, Mary Pickford and country club members, everywhere.

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. In 1907 their first vehicle, the Kissel Kar, went on sale. It was powered by a four-cylinder engine that produced 35 horsepower. The engine was water-cooled and L-head configuration. In 1909 a six-cylinder engine was introduced and by 1913 electric starters had been adapted to their line of vehicles. In 1917 a Double Six V-12 became available. Many of the Kissel cars used the Warner 4-speed selective sliding gear transmission. Solid rubber tires with wood spokes were not uncommon on the Kissel Kars.

Another famous Kissel car was the All-Year featuring a removable hardtop, glass windows, and curtains. Among its innovations was the illuminated instrument panel, the technology they claimed to have created.

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. They were able to maintain this reputation because they were a low production company. With the onset of World War I, the name Kar was dropped from the line-up because of resemblance to German words. The company and its 1400 workers once again switched priority to producing trucks for the Army.

The Great Depression was responsible for the demise of the Kissel Automobile Company. 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.

by Dan Vaughan