A Brief History Of The Kissel Car

Throughout time, the automobile has gone through quite an evolution with advancements in technology, body design and performance. Certain models have become classics for a variety of reasons ranging from historical precedence to special qualities. The Kissel Car Company has produced quite a few of these treasured machines.

It was established in 1906 by a father and his three sons as an innovative company operating out of Hartford, Wisconsin. Circumstances including a world war and a damaged and failing economy, contributed to their need to claim bankruptcy in 1930. Although they did not stay in production very long, this unique manufacturer built a reputation for producing products of extreme durability and incredible quality.

During their time, the company manufactured in excess of 35,000 products of various types, styles, body designs and functions. They produced classic cars, trucks, taxi cabs, ambulances, firetrucks, utility vehicles and hearses. There were several things that set the items rolling out of this factory apart from all others of the era.

The finest craftsmanship and dependable yet creative engineering were the main focus of this company's production and design team, as a way to stay ahead of the competition. The brand made a name for themselves by implementing ideas that were quite innovative and installing features that were outside of the proverbial box. The goal was to build vehicles of top quality and impressive details that were sold at extremely reasonable prices.

Products manufactured under this name were known for incredible style and ultimate elegance, and certain models often sported new and unexpected design or technological features. One such innovation was the use of the Warner 4-speed selective sliding gear transmission. They were also known for using solid rubber tires on wooden spokes instead of metal.

The most prominent practice that made this company different from others of the same type, was that they skipped the practice of producing hundreds of exact copies. Instead, they took custom orders and manufactured each vehicle individually according to the customer's expressed specifics. To get a ride that was perfectly suited to there preferences and needs, the owners could pick from a list of options.

Among those options were several design choices that would alter the overall aesthetics. These included pancake drum or bullet headlights, up to three bumper bars, running boards versus step stirrups, leather upholstery or fabric, spare wheels mounted on the side or the rear, back seat placement and optional golf bag brackets. Each selection made contributed to creating a one of a kind ride in which the individual could take great pride in and boast of having designed it themselves.

Only approximately 150 vehicles of more than 35,000 produced, are documented as still existing today. The Duesenburg, The Speedster, The Roadster, The Packard, The Pierce Arrow and the All-Year were among the most treasured models that will always be the representatives of this company's dedication to durability and integrity and the attention to detail given each creation. Many period celebrities such as Fatty Arbuckle, Al Jolson, Anita King, Greta Garbo and Amelia Earhart were big fans and had to own one of these products.