The Kissel Motor Car Company, often referred to as “KisselKar,” was founded in 1906 by Louis Kissel and his sons in Hartford, Wisconsin. KisselKar wasn’t just limited to passenger cars, but also included hearses, fire trucks, taxicabs, and trucks. It gained fame in the early 1900s for its performance in races, winning the Los Angeles to Phoenix “Cactus Derby” in 1910. The Kissel Speedster, particularly the 1919-1927 model known as the “Gold Bug,” was popular among celebrities, including Amelia Earhart. Hollywood actress Anita King made history in 1915 by becoming the first woman to drive solo across the United States in a KisselKar.
Out of the approximatley 35,000 vehicles produced by Kissel, only about 200 are known to exist today. Many of these can be seen at the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford. The KisselKar continues to be celebrated by vintage car enthusiasts. [Source: Wikipedia]
