ron hausmann

Carl, The unrestored Kissel Gold bug Speedster I have needs restoration as it is too far gone for preservation. Some "idiot" years ago cut the original Kissel frame to spread it to handle a V-8 engine, which they never finished. They also put on an oversized Packard or Cadillac front axle with Buffalo No. 6 wheels in the front to handle that weight. The aluminum body (standard Kissels used Aluminum) was disassembled at some point. It has no Kissel engine in it. Luckily, since I've sucked up so many Kissel parts cars thru the years, I actually have a correct Kissel 6-45 engine and front Kissel axle, as well as Buffalo No 5 wheels and hubs, all correct for a Classic 1923 Kissel Model 6-45. Nobody else in the world has the correct parts to do this car except for me, so I guess it's destiny. However, it will be several years before I start this restoration. Below are a couple more pictures. This unrestored Kissel was once the beautiful Gold Bug Speedster which is on the cover of the Kissel history (pictured). I will restore it to this exact specification. Thanks, RON

Sir, The car was sold as a four-passenger speedster and these were officially called "outrigger seats". They rapidly became known as "Suicide Seats" and/or "mother-in-law seats". Note - this car will go 70 miles an hour with its Kissel Custom-Six engine - imagine being on one of those side seats, doing 70 mph, on a typical period gravel road ! Thanks, RON HAUSMANN P.E.

All, Haven't ever posted anything on this "Speedster" forum. Thought that you would like to see pictures of what some believe is one of the most beautiful stock speedsters ever manufactured - the 1923 Kissel Model 6-45 Gold Bug Speedster. There are three restored examples of these that survive and one unrestored. I own the one restored (pictured) and the unrestored one (also pictured). These were real pimp cars, owned by movie stars and optioned with whatever they wanted. Most were sold in Hollywood. We gathered 10 Kissel Gold Bug speedsters of all years a few years ago in Michigan. Pictures on my website. Enjoy!! Ron Hausmann P.E.

All, A few more pictures of status of restoration as of July 2016. Body panel work restoration was more necessary than initially thought and new door panels being made. Instrument, Wire wheel, and new hubs being manufactured. Progress slow but authentic and precise. Also talked with a guy who has original 1918 Kissel Sedanette lights (pictured) vbut he hasn't called back or communicated. These light are unique to this Kissel and hope to get back in touch with him somehowe. Thanks, RON

Sir, Kissel manuals might help. Kissel Kars used Lycoming blocks for their eight cylinder cars from 1925 thru 1930. Huge eight cylinder blocks also used in Duesenbergs, Cords, and Auburns. Kissel however took the big Lycoming blocks and cast their own heads. Kissel also used their own lightweight pistons, crank, and rods in order to assure absolutely perfect balance and workmanship on these high end Kissel cars. I own one of the four known Kissel 8-126 engines, shown below. Was running a sawmill in California when I got it. I have been told that it is the same engine as Auburns and Cords used, but it has the Kissel improvements above. You might want to get a Kissel Model 8-126 manual to work on your Lycoming. These show up on ebay every few months - there are more manuals I think than engines extant. Thanks, Ron Hausmann P.E.

A few more pictures now that the rear body panels are nailed on - - - RON HAUSMANN P.E.

All, Here is an update on restoration as of June, 2016; Buffalo wheels are being added in lieu of previously shown wood - these were a Kissel option and the sportized versions of Kissels seemed to always have these mounted. I have a full six-wheel set that I am almost finished restoring (pictured in almond color). Am also having new Buffalo wire wheel hubs and axles made. That's expensive but necessary and these are portable to my other Kissels. Also have meticulously restored six wonderful nickel Buffalo wire wheel hub caps (pictured) Lastly, the body panel restoration by Mike Kleeves continues. Much is being made new, by using old panels as patterns. It will be nailed together this Thursday! Ron Hausmann P.E.

Restorer - here are a few with and without the paint

Restorer, Many 1920's Kissel Kars had painted radiators, as opposed to nickeled radiators. Most Phaetons of this era seem to have had original painted radiator shells, as all three in the Kissel Museum have painted ones. Since there is only one 1921 Kissel Sport Tourster, this car, and it is an "original" with its radiator is painted, I think that this was not uncommon practice. I am pretty sure of this because this particular car's painted original radiator shell has two blemishes/blisters in the paint and only bare metal can be seen. No nickel. And they do look great with jet-black gleaming radiator shells, contrasting with the vibrant Kissel colors! Thanks, RON

This car will be at the Concours de' Elegance at the Inn of St. John's, Plymouth, Michigan, this summer. RON

Note, As of May 27, 2016, I just took the buffalo wheels and rims apart to replace the tires with brand new 33x5 Non-Skid ones. The original tires were worn and not really safe with a few blisters. I found that the hubs and rear of the trim rings were shiny and appeared, to me, to never have been demounted! And the insides of the Buffalo/Houk wheels were still like fresh painted. These wire wheels were not at all rusted and I've done dozens of Houks and Buffalo's - these are the best I've ever come across. And now that I could access them, and after taking a degreaser to the springs and axles, we found that they were shiny, like new, with original paint drips. So I'm pretty confident that this car is a very well-kept, low mileage, original! Thanks, RON HAUSMANN P.E.

All - There is a beautiful set of E & J Model 20 headlights in original polished aluminum, as are on my Kissel, for sale on ebay right now. The "buy it now" price is a steep $2,995. I have seen such lights, when available, go for $2,000 ++. Either you love them or hate them. I think they really look cool on Speedsters! Ron Hausmann P.E.

All, For many orphan makes, as so many teens and twenties American marques ended up being, the private museums and marque collectors are really who maintain what history and legacy remain. Mot much written history on so many wonderful cars. In the case of Kissel, there are about 137 cars and trucks of all years (1906 - 1930) that remain, with about 80 or so owners who "know". Who is going to assume this role in a few decades? hopefully our grandchildren! Thanks, RON

Here is another Kissel Double Six picture showing these lights Ron Hausmann P.E.

All, These lights were factory equipment on 1917 and 1918 Kissel Double Six Model cars. These lights were used by Kissel only on the Kissel Double Six cars, to distinguish the bodies from the otherwise identical Kissel Hundred Point Six Model 6-38 cars. In early 1917 Kissel Kar introduced it's "Double Six" car engine, 12 cylinders, mounted in its "Hundred Point Six" chassis. For less than two years, Kissel sold a few of these monsters. The 12 cylinder engines were not reliable according to many contemporary reports, being noted for starving the outermost cylinders of oil. dealer modification was typically necessary. Only one Kissel Double Six car survives. Its in the Fourney museum in Denver. It has these lights. There are only three or four surviving Kissel Double Six factory pictures, including the one above. These lights are on those pictures. You can see the differences, and the lights, in these below pictures Hope this helps. Ron Hausmann P.E.

Mercer, those torpedo lights on the Kissel Gold Bug are " E & J Model 20 " lights, manufactured by Edmunds and Jones. We think that Kissel dealers offered these as options in 1922 and 1923, since several Kissel Gold Bugs have these on them including one barn find. These lights were also used on a few other high end classic cars of that time frame. E & J Model 20 lights are much spught after today by hot rodders as well as antique guys, since they look fantastic on deuce coupes and similar rods. These lights, if you can find them often are very very expensive. thanks, Ron

All, Wanted to make sure everyone interested in Kissel Kars was aware that the 110-year Kissel Kar Klub Meet will occur all day, June 25, 2016 at the Wisconsin Automotive Museum, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Rare Kissel cars from across the USA as well as the Museums extensive Kissel collection will be shown and driven. Take this opportunity to savor these wonderful and exotic vehicals, as well as the Museum's other great cars. For more information contact Dawn at the Wisconsin Automotive Museum.

All, Sheet Metal work is underway at the Mike Kleeves metal forming shop. see attached pictures of the artistry that Mike is performing on this one-of-a-kind Kissel Kar. RON

23hack, That would be a very helpful find! I've used Neville fat man steering wheels on several of my cars, primarily Kissel kars from the 20's. Neville made 17 inch and 18 inch wheels and the 18's work better in the Kissels. In all cases I had the center holes drilled out and sleeved to fit the tapered small Kissel steering shaft, since all those that I acquired had straight four-keyway holes. If you find a catalogue or table to help identify which Nevilles fit which cars, please let me know! Thanks, RON

Dave, the engine, interior, top, spares, luggage, running boars, bumpers, body, look original and have a slight patina. There is some belief that the black fenders were repainted in 1964 but nobody can confirm. I can tell from the engine balance and sound that it probably is original in every way - and broken in. It really sounds better and vibrates less than my brand new overhauled 6-45 engines. Probably because I didn't use original cast iron piston rods. thanks, Ron

alsancle, There are about 180 Kissel cars listed in the Kissel registry. That number includes incomplete rolling chassis, plain engines, or loose bodies, which are not complete cars. If you just count "complete" cars in the registry, there are about 100 Kissels from 1908 thru 1930 that are known to survive. I own 7 Kissels so its not half. The Wisconsin Automotive Museum which houses the Kissel Klub, has 14. Thanks, RON HAUSMANN P.E.

Nice car! I'm curious as to how you know it's the only one that exists. See "Three known to exist" topic in the for sale forum. George, The Kissel Owners / Kissel Kar Klub maintains a Kissel registry of cars and part-cars that remain. There aren't a lot! According to the most recent Kissel registry, there are two 1920 Kissel Toursters (pictured) that remain, and one 1921 Kissel Sport Tourster (this car). see pictures. The 1920 cars, which are at Fourney museum and a private collector in Ohio, have flat fenders, rear spare, and no luggage carrier. See first two pictures. After Kissel changed their body styles in mid-1921, the Sport Tourster was initiated. See third picture bottom. From records, Kissel may have marketed the "Tourster" body style thereafter, but none survive. Thanks! Ron Hausmann P.E.

All, Been Awhile since I posted updates on the restoration of this wonderful 1918 Kissel Model 6-38 Sedanlet. These were variously advertised as "Sedane' ", "Sedanlet", or "Sedanlette" models, which is kind of funny because there is only ONE left - this car ! Since last update, we have restored the dash instruments, wired the dash, created and rubberized the floor boards, and fine-tuned the door latches and hinges. Also decided to mount custom - optional Buffalo wire wheels to the car, in lieu of the wood ones now on it. Next week it goes to the sheet metal artist who will help me finish all the metal body panels. Ron Hausmann P.E.