ron hausmann

All, Never met Joe Anhtrim, but there is a picture of he and his 1921 Kissel Model 6-45 Sport Tourster in the Wisconsin Automotive Museum. There is only one such Kissel of that Sport Model that exists, and I bought it last year. It is the same car Joe Antrim originally owned and is very low mileage (14,000) and original paint and engine. It drives very well and is VERY similar to the Stutz's and HCS's of that era. Ron Hausmann P.E.

Here are pics of the Kissel Gold Bug "suicide seats". These cars will go 70 MPH and since most roads back then were gravel, one can see why the name "suicide" is appropriate. Ron Hausmann P.E.

All, Strictly speaking, Kissel Kars had rumble seats from 1925 thru 1929 when they went bust. From 1919 to mid 1923, they had "outrigger seats" which swiftly became known also as "suicide seats" or "mother-in-law seats".

Thanks JV. However, I would have happily lent Leonardo my 1923 Kissel Gold Bug for his Gatsby role though. And taught him how to crash-shift it to boot !. Hell, i might even have shipped it there from Michigan for that chance at car-noteriety. Thanks, Ron Hausmann P.E.

All, Just answered my own question - The 1925 Great Gatsby book was about folks in 1922 New York. But they were driving a 1932 Duesenberg and a 1933 Auburn. Go figure - - - Thanks, RON

Here's a Great Gatsby American Sports Car

Jeff, Thanks for mentioning me in your post and that car, although nice, was NOT a Kissel. On a similar vein, most everyone has seen Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie, Great Gatsby. Unless I'm mistaken, the Great Gatsby era was in the early to mid 1920's, yet the two luxury cars cars used in the movie were much later years, possibly 1930's. Since there are so many wonderful early 1920's Stutzs, Kissel Kars, Mercers, and Marmons, i wonder why this otherwise well-placed movie didnt use more correct early American sports cars like these.

It's not a Kissel. Hood, lights, body, are NOT of Kissel make. RON HAUSMANN P.E.

Mike - hope you are getting better. Yes I will pick up the bumper at a spring show. I live in Bloomfield hills Michigan, north of Detroit in case you get closer to my location. Keep in touch. thanks, Ron

The "Shrine of St. Kissel" and grandsons on Christmas Day. Rom Hausmann P.E.

The "Shrine of St. Kissel" and grandsons on Christmas Day. Rom Hausmann P.E.

Better picture of Kissel Speedster

All - i am Restoring several Kissel Kars of the nickel-era, 1917-1925, and am looking for numerous parts. Chassis and body. Kissel Speedster and Tourster body parts are different than sedans, but chassis are the same. If you have any I am interested. Some immediate needs; a. Muncie transmissions (three different types) b. Buffalo no. 5 wire wheels and/or wire wheel hubs, 32 x 4 1/2 preferred. Kissels used peg drive shown c. Phenny-Walker rim wind clocks, larger model, not Broadway. d. Neville fat man steering wheels, larger 18" size e. Any Kissel parts, Models 6-38 from 1917-18, model 6-45 from 1919-23, model 6-55 from 1923-1925. call me at 313-510-8463 f you have stuff. Thank you. Ron Hausmann P. E.

Dream Garage at new M1 Car Condominium in Metro Detroit Michigan. Where my restored cars, mostly Kissel Kars, will live. Holds 9 cars easily with lifts, has bar and half bath and view of 150 MPH race track from nearly every unit. Man Cave heaven. Still need to install big screen TV and kitchenette. Ron Hausmann P.E.

All - Status as of December 16, 2016: a. Body and chassis, carved wood remove able top are all done. Fitting fenders prior to paint. b. Trunk fine adjusting and lock-caps being fitted. c. Restoring unique Kissel double- bulb headlights as shown. Almost impossible but located a pair. Some early pictures show these lights or singles - not really sure if we'll ever know what is correct., but doubles are sexy. d. Finishing buffalo sport wheels to replace wood. Why not?. The car was a sport model. Thanks to Bruce for joining in machining brand new Buffalo no. 5 hubs which are actually even rarer than the wheels, shown. metalwork on fenders, engine assembly, paint and upholstery, are all that's left. Maybe done in a year for its 100 the anniversary. The end is in sight! thanks, Ron Hausmann P. E.

Lump, I used to have Beatle Hair like that in the seventies too! Now my grandchildren (I have 11) play in my antiques. RON

Lump, Wow!. Yes this is the same car! I bought it last year from a person in Ohio who was moving. There is a picture of this same car, and Joe Antrim's name, in the Wisconsin Automotive Kissel Museum in Hartford Wisconsin as well. It's an important car! This car is the only surviving Kissel "Sport Tourster" of any year. There are two other non-sport models from 1920 that exist as well. Kissel introduced this "Sport" model in 1921 when they also redesigned their famous Kissel Gold Bug (pictured below). It was the sister-model to the Gold Bug. There is only one and this car, which is original with 14,600 miles, is the only one. Do you have many pictures of it or of Antrim? Thanks, Ron Hausmann P.E.

Joe, i retired a little over a year ago from a very stressful but profitable career as an engineer. I also restore late teens and early twenties Kissel Kars as good as or better than professionals. Without this hobby, I would be lost as it gives purpose and relevance and something that my grandchildren really love playing around in too. i take these cars apart, every nut and bolt, and restore each piece and panel. I sub out the engine overhaul and large body part painting to professionals, but do the rest. It takes about two years to complete a car this way to concours level, but about three years if all the wood needs to be recorded. I work maybe half time, and dedicate the rest of my time to wife, grandchildren, and chrch/society. the pictures show there complete or almost restorations and the last two are originals which I only did cosmetic work on. thanks, Ron Hausmann P. E.

As of 12-6-16, have dismounted the carved oak wood top and done some oak grain filling and sanding. See picture. Have also mounted the "trunk" hinges and adjusted everything to function smoothly. Like everything else on this beast, the trunk hinges are real monstrous cantraptions, over-engineered, and the trunk itself is, well, tiny. But it looks good. Ron Hausmann P.E.

All, As of December 5, 2016, I'm getting back onto this Kissel project. Pictured below is car as of that date. Carved oak wood to (black) has been completed and oak grain filled. Door tops and bottoms have been fine tuned and hinges all made correct. That was very hard considering how these are jointed. Body is ready to paint. Fenders are fitted but these still need bodywork. Also finished putting new springs into the buffalo Houk n 5 wire well caps. These are things of real beauty. I may trade these for ones which have "Kissel Kar" medallions instead of "Kissel" which would be period correct. also am restoring the rare Kissel double- lens lights that were on some of these models. Weird but cute things that I'll picture next time. Ron Hausmann P. E.

All, I collect and restore Kissel Kars from the "nickel-era". Kissel made their own big L-head engines then and mandrel-stamped their aluminum bodies so these were almost custom built beauties. There are about 130 relatively complete cars from 1906 -1930 that survive, plus maybe 80 basket case chassis, engines, and rusted hulk bodies out there. After spending a near-fortune trying to machine missing parts, I now use a two phased solution to the quandary of spare parts for rare cars. First I found an old-style tractor/stock car mechanic who fiddles on trucks, hot rods, and farm engines. He makes stuff work. He found Ford tractor connecting rods that fit my rare Kissel model 6-45 engine which now purrs. He does all my engine work. (St. Clair Engine, Richmond, Michigan) Then I set about buying known Kissel parts and chassis. I'm sure that I have the largest stash of Kissel parts that exist. My kids will have a hard time when I'm gone disposing of this stuff, but for now I can usually make parts from the Kissel engines 6-38, 6-45, and 6-55 and bodies to work. When you have Kissels, you are the expert and not any judge. BTW, if anyone out there has Kissel parts, please contact me !! Thanks, RON

All, I guess you choose your garage based upon what you use it and your cars for - I love to drive my Kissel Kars in heavy urban traffic and M1 Car Condo is right on Michigan Highway no. 1 which runs right into downtown Birmingham and Royal Oak - Best spot for America's largest car show - Woodward Dream Cruise !! At 40,000 cars and a million car spectators, you can't get a better venue - IF that is what you want your garage to support. I also have a small car restoration shop 3 miles away for the dirty work. Not for showcasing. Thanks, RON

All - these M1 car Condos start around 130,000 , not 500,000. I bought a 1800sf unit which houses 9 cars with lifts, a mezzanine, bathroom, kitchenette, and a beautiful view of the 1.5 mile race track. you don't get that with a pole barn. the idea and setting are magnificent!

Hey Perry - just updated on 1918 Kissel forum . RON