A true classic automobile possesses a beauty that is in the very essence of its design and stylish lines. Craftsmanship is something that is strongly apparent in these vehicles and it is easy to see that pride in quality was a manufacturer's priority. Kissel Car Company was a turn of the century producer of such treasures that are still valued today.
The Kissel Motor Car Company was a family run business based in Hartford, Wisconsin at the turn of the century. They were best known for producing automobiles of such high quality but at reasonably affordable prices. They specialized in vehicles of many types, including family friendly sedans, sporty speedsters, classic roadsters, hearses, taxis, utility machines and fire trucks.
They were a company that delivered on their promise to produce quality cars. Great pride was taken in the production of each vehicle that rolled out of their doors, each featuring several impressive features that evolved from creative thinking. Many famous personalities of that era were known to choose this brand including Fatty Arbuckle, Amelia Earhart and actress Anita King, who was the first woman to ever make a transcontinental drive on her own.
One reason they were so well made and popular is that each one was custom ordered from the factory. The customer would be asked to pick certain features and options to be on their vehicle to make it a reflection of their own preferences. This was an effective marketing strategy because it gave the company a reputation for quality design and uniquely personal products.
Every client was given the opportunity to choose between several different feature options such as whether to have pancake drum or bullet style headlights. They could decide if the spare wheels were to be positioned on the sides or at the rear of the car, how the rear seat would be placed and of course they would need to select between leather upholstery or fabric. The customer was also asked to select how many bumper bars would be installed, would it be running boards or step mounts and they were even offered the chance to have brackets for their golf bags included.
Most of the company's models shared several features that became standard fare. The Warner selective sliding gear 4-speed transmission was what the majority of vehicles ran, along with a 6-cylinder engine - until 1925 when eight became the norm. But, it is possible that it was their legendary use of the classically stylish wooden spoke rims with solid rubber tires on their cars.
The double drop framework was customary beginning in 1911 and became one of the classic looks of the era. Ever the innovators, by 1914 the company began installing indirect lighting on the dashboards of all vehicles for improved driving in dim or dark conditions. Times were tough for all sales, but the addition of new features helped keep the company going.
Today there are only about 150 of the 35,000 cars produced by the Kissel company left in existence. Many of those remaining are housed in the Wisconsin Automotive Museum as part of a heritage display. The others are owned by collectors, many of whom take great care and expense to restore and maintain each machine in as close to original magnificence as possible.
The Kissel Motor Car Company was a family run business based in Hartford, Wisconsin at the turn of the century. They were best known for producing automobiles of such high quality but at reasonably affordable prices. They specialized in vehicles of many types, including family friendly sedans, sporty speedsters, classic roadsters, hearses, taxis, utility machines and fire trucks.
They were a company that delivered on their promise to produce quality cars. Great pride was taken in the production of each vehicle that rolled out of their doors, each featuring several impressive features that evolved from creative thinking. Many famous personalities of that era were known to choose this brand including Fatty Arbuckle, Amelia Earhart and actress Anita King, who was the first woman to ever make a transcontinental drive on her own.
One reason they were so well made and popular is that each one was custom ordered from the factory. The customer would be asked to pick certain features and options to be on their vehicle to make it a reflection of their own preferences. This was an effective marketing strategy because it gave the company a reputation for quality design and uniquely personal products.
Every client was given the opportunity to choose between several different feature options such as whether to have pancake drum or bullet style headlights. They could decide if the spare wheels were to be positioned on the sides or at the rear of the car, how the rear seat would be placed and of course they would need to select between leather upholstery or fabric. The customer was also asked to select how many bumper bars would be installed, would it be running boards or step mounts and they were even offered the chance to have brackets for their golf bags included.
Most of the company's models shared several features that became standard fare. The Warner selective sliding gear 4-speed transmission was what the majority of vehicles ran, along with a 6-cylinder engine - until 1925 when eight became the norm. But, it is possible that it was their legendary use of the classically stylish wooden spoke rims with solid rubber tires on their cars.
The double drop framework was customary beginning in 1911 and became one of the classic looks of the era. Ever the innovators, by 1914 the company began installing indirect lighting on the dashboards of all vehicles for improved driving in dim or dark conditions. Times were tough for all sales, but the addition of new features helped keep the company going.
Today there are only about 150 of the 35,000 cars produced by the Kissel company left in existence. Many of those remaining are housed in the Wisconsin Automotive Museum as part of a heritage display. The others are owned by collectors, many of whom take great care and expense to restore and maintain each machine in as close to original magnificence as possible.
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