ron hausmann

All, Update. This weekend (7-13-13) the new Kissel Model 6-55 engine is being started up and test run, and then mounted into the 1923 Kissel Brougham Opera Sedan. Many thanks to St. Claire Engine Rebuilding, Armada, Michigan, and its Owner Larry, for this wonderful job. He's pictured in the foreground in the pictures. If any of you out there want a craftsman to do an exact engine overhaul or engine rebuild, he's great to work with. Thanks, RON HAUSMANN P.E.

Keiser, The pictures that you posted from 1979 in San Diego are of a 1921 Kissel Gold Bug Speedster which is now owned by Peter Heller from Ohio. He brought his Gold Bug to Michigan for the Gold Bug gathering in 2010. He actually drove it on the expressway from Ohio to Michigan! I saw him do it! He had a moving car show with viewers following and pacing him. A Gold bug will do 50-70 mph and keep it up. Note the modernized front bumper on this car with directionals. See more pictures of this car on my website above. thanks, Ron Hausmann

Thanks Layden, keiser, The first Kissel Gold Bug Speedsters made 1917 thru the first half of 1923 had "suicide seats". Starting in 1924 they shortened the 124 inch wheelbase to 121 inches and put golf club holders on both fenders, eliminating the suicide seats. Also the first Kissels had only rear spares but some time in 1922, they made sidemounts an option. Rear mounted spares versus sidemounted ones continued to be an option thru the 1920's as did rumble seat optional starting in 1925. Although they made only about 50-100 Gold Bug Speedsters each year, they were custom ordered and you could get an impressive number of options. Wood weels, spot lights, trunks, bumpers, 6 cylinder vs 8 cylinder, etc. When you take those various options, and then see that they often mixed 6-55 and 6-45 components, nearly every one of the remaining 25 restored Gold Bugs, and 15 unrestored piles, are different and unique. My question about real early Gold Bugs above is important because Kissel production records were lost decades ago. and the very old persons who have some information or hand written notes, have different histories of the first 50 Kissel "Silver Special" Gold Bug Speedsters. I may have parts of one of these but just can't tell. You can check out my website for tons of interesting Kissel pictures www.kisselsandclassiccars.com Thanks, Ron Hausmann

All, Do any of you Speedster experts out there know if the original Kissel Gold Bug Speedsters used a 117-inch wheelbase? That's a Kissel Model 6-38 Chassis. 50 early Kissel Gold Bug Speedsters were made in 1917-1918. The models that all other Kissels used then waswere based upon the 6-38 chassis. Thereafter they manufactured the longer 124-inch Model 6-45 Chassis. We have conflicting information about whether or not these very early Kissel Gold Bug Speedsters used the new 6-45 from the start, or if a few used the 6-38. Pictures of my 6-45 Kissel Speedster are attached. Thanks, RON HAUSMANN P.E.

All, This past Father's Day, a wonderful event, the annual "EyesOn Design Concours de Elegance" was held. This invitation only event features 200 trend-setting cars of all years and is held on the breathtaking grounds of the Edsel and Elanor Ford Mansion in Grosse Point, Michigan. It's proceeds help the Henry Ford Hospital Opthamology system, hence the "eyes" moniker. Being a car exhibition which is focussed on the design of cars, and in the Motor City, this show draws alot of automotive experts, both from the past and current. My wife and I were fortunate to attend this wonderful event. We exhibited our 1923 Kissel Model 6-45 Gold Bug Speedster there. Attached are a couple of pictures. Thanks, Ron & Esther Hausmann

Some pictures might help

All, I just purchased a large lot of early Kissel Chassis, engines, frames, some body parts, and hoards of accessories. I thought i knew everthing about Kissels but this purchase has raised a bunch of questions. The first question is "Did early Kissel Gold Bug speedaters use the early 117 inch frame". I have two 1950's magazine articles that say yes, but period experts say no, that the Gold Bug only used the 121 inch frame from the start. Any help??? The second question is "Did early Kissel Gold Bugs use Kissel Model 6-38 engines?". Again the magazine articles say that early 1917 and 1918 Bugs did, but universally, the experts say no, Kissel Gold Bugs used only Kissel 6-45 engines. I know this is getting quite technical, but one of the frames I bought is supposedly a very early Kissel Gold Bug on a 117 inch frame, with a ton of Kissel 6-38 engine parts. Thanks RON HAUSMANN P.E.

Thanks Restorer32. The suicide seats make it a definate 1923 Model 6-45 Gold Bug Speedster. If it was a new restoration and yellow, this was one was owned originally by celebrity "Fatty Arbuckle". Does anyone have any pictures? I would definately like to see by bug's twin. Thanks, RON HAUSMANN P.E.

John, Did it have sideseats and a hood vent? Then it's a Model 6-45 Gold Bug. Or did it have golf club holders and no hood vent? Then it's a Model 6-55 Gold Bug. They transitioned from the 6-45 to the 6-55 model that year. Thanks RON HAUSMANN P.E.

All, Here are a few more restoration shots of the 1923 Kissel Model 6-55 Brougham Sedan. It is ALL DONE except for mounting the egine, and then putting the hood and sidemounted tires back on. I left these off because it will be much easier to fiddle with the engine without those on. The custom Kissel visor and windshield were hard to get done, but worth the trouble. The Kissel will make its debut at the 2013 Concours de Elegance at St. John's this July, 2013. It's 90-year "coming out" party.

Thanks Dave, This is definately an early 1920's Daniels Speedster. Looked it up last night. Probably 1920 or 1921. There are only a few that exist today. Google the name and you'll see its twin. I think they had early 8-cylinder engines and were custom made, heavy cars. Their horse collar radiator shells were one piece cast pewter. Note that it is RIGHT HAND DRIVE ! This pic would definately have an interesting story. Ron Hausmann P.E.

All. OOPS! Got my speedster names mixed up! I meant to say "Revere Speedster" in the prior message, not "Roamer". the Revere has a radiator that is horse collar shaped and solid. The Roamer is a make-believe Rolls Royce wannabe radiator shape. Thanks, Ron Hausmann P.E.

Dave, I believe that the pictured General's car is either a Daniels Speedster or a Roamer Speedster. It's definately not a Kissel. Both Daniels and Roamers had radiators which similar to those on a Kissel, but heftier. I've seen a Roamer's radiator which looked like the pictured one and was a solid aluminum casting. Maybe others can identify better. Thanks, Ron Hausmann P.E.

Restorer 32, I don't know if the Fat-Man steering wheels were a factory option or not. There are several period-correct pictures of Kissel Gold Bugs with Neville "Fat-Man" steering wheels mounted on them, so these were certainly common. Anyone who has attempted to get into a Gold Bug will attest to the need for mitigating steering wheel interference when getting into or out of!. I just bought one to mount on my 1923 Kissel Gold Bug in fact, because they look better i think. Kissel steering wheels are 18" while most Neville Fat Man steering wheels are 17". There are some very rare 18" Nevilles, which show up on ebay from time to time. Thanks, RON HAUSMANN P.E.

John Lewis is correct. The cowl lights confirm it as a 1922 Model 45 KISSEL Speedster. Also known as a "Kissel Gold Bug". A 1921 has different fender curves. My 1923 has different cowl lights, but is otherwise the same. Who are the persons and where was this taken, if you know please. And what is the fancy car behind it? A Maxwell? Thanks, Ron Hausmann P.E.

All, here are several pictures taken January 29, 2013 which show the 1923 Kissel Model 6-55 Brougham Opera Sedan's progress. Upholstery and top are done. Micsellaneous trim and fittings, alot of them, are done. Just awaiting Engine completion next month and drop it in. Upholstery and top were done by Mark Larder Classic Car Upholstery, Homer, Michigan, and they did a wonderful job. We used an optional light Kissel Gray and Maroon pattern wool with Maroon windlacing, which really looks great.The ladies with me are Valerie (blond), one of my many daughters, and Esther (dark hair) my wife. Thanks, Ron Hausmann P.E. air) my wife.

All, Just received and uncrated the Kissel Model 8-126 Lycoming 8-cylinder engine here in Michigan from its "find" in the California sawmill. Big and beautiful. I stuck a Kissel crank into it and, surprisingly, it turned. Hard, but OK. Attached are a few pictures of it. I collect 1920's Kissels and Chevrolets. No correlation but that's just me. The little speck of an engine next to the big grey Kissel 8-126 Lycoming, is a regular 4 cylinder Chevrolet Capital engine. So you can see the immensity of this big Lycoming block. The engine to the left in the threesome picture is a small block Lycoming, used in the Kissel 8-65 ening series. Also very, very rare. Thanks Ron Hausmann P.E.

Actually, many of the enclosed models are much rarer than the already-rare Kissel Gold Bugs. This 1923 Kissel Model 6-55 Brougham Opera sedan is one of two that exist - mine with the restoration almost completed, and an original non-runner in the Kissel Museum in Hartford, Wisconsin. On the other hand, my 1923 Kissel Model 6-45 Gold Bug Speedster is one of three restored, and there are another incomplete and unrestored two that also exist. My 1927 Kissel Model 8-65 enclosed Brougham Standard two door is the only one that exists. So "yes" these enclosed ones are rare. Thanks, RON

One question that I will invariably get asked every time I drive or park one my 1923 Kissel Gold Bug Speedster around our auto-centered suburban Detroit areas is; "What kind of Ford is that?" "Is it a model T?" "Is it a model A?" Not taking anything away from Fords. But why do people who don't collect cars always think that every antique or classic car is a Ford??? I get this when I drive my 1920's Chevy as well.

Members, Do any of you know where one can get any information or parts for a late 1920's 8 cylinder Lycoming based car engine? i recently "found" a large 1929 Kissel Model 8-126 engine in a defunct saw mill on the West Coast and bought it. there are only a couple of these engines that exist, as they were the very high end cars when Kissel was going out of business. Kissel literature of that period show that Kissel bought Lycoming cores for this model engine, and then custom fit Kissel heads, cranks, pistons, etc. I am told that this model lycoming block is the longest 8 cylinder engine that exists. It has a bore of 3.25 inches, and a stroke of 4.5 inches. It displaces 298.6 CI. which make it the same as a Lycoming Cord L-head block of that period, i think, but i might be wrong. Any information to help me to restore it will be appreciated. What other cars used this big block ?? Thanks, Ron Hausmann P.E.

Yes. The sawmill was filled up with decades of accumulated hoarding stuff. Heated and watertight for forty years! When the owner was cleaning it out, he discovered the engine and radiator, and contacted me because of my Kissel web site. The radiator is actually as rare as the engine, because there were only a few Kissel Model 126 engines which used the Kissel horse collar radiator, before they went to the more modern one with an eagle embossed on it. the honeycomb is pristine.

All, Thought that I would post a few pictures of a relatively beautiful and complete Kissel Model 126, White Eagle engine which was "discovered" a few months ago in a long-ago closed saw mill. I bought it. Kissel Model 126 eight cylinder engines were THE LONGEST 8 CYLINDER ENGINES made in the US. These engines were made only briefly, in 1929 and 1930 I believe. They used Lycoming big-block engine cores which Kissel custom manufactured heads, rods, pans, and pistons. There were only three of these engines known until a few months ago, until this beauty showed up. Now all I need is an even more rare "barn find", Kissel White Eagle Speedster, to mount this huge engine in! Enjoy, !! RON HAUSMANN P.E.

All, Here are several more, better pictures I took yesterday. Now the car has brand new, tensioned, Gabriel Snubbers!. Thanks, RON HAUSMANN P.E.

dugmugg, I almost bought a Paige a year ago and did alot of digging into that rare marque. What I learned is that there is a Paige Registry of sorts on the internet if you do alot of digging. I don't have the web address anymore, but several years ago, a collector logged in all the known Paiges, according to his obviously detailed research. You can find that list yourself and confirm how many of that year, type, and model are left. I collect Kissels which are also rare birds like Paiges. The Paige car you are picturing is a standard 4-door sedan, nothing fancy, but it is a big car with a big Lycoming engine. Based upon what enclosed model, unrestored Kissels can be bought for today, you should be able to get that Paige for 5-8000. More than that is too much, unless you are a Paige marque collector. in that case, the car might be priceless. Thanks, RON HAUSMANN P.E.

Restorer32, Never have been to Hershey. I'm not retired and still working and traveling all over the country for my business. Maybe will get there in a few years. Take Care, RON HAUSMANN P.E.