ron hausmann

To Mr. Taylor. After being unsuccessful in finding anyone remotely familiar with early brass Strombergs, I just finished rebuilding two Stromberg Carbs for my 1923 Kissel Model 6-45 Gold Bug Speedster on my own. An OS-2 and a LB-2. Your HCS probably has some ones of these oddball Stromberg sizes. In both cases I disassembled the carbs as much as possible and had them lightly beadblasted. The parts that wouldn't come out I left as these were factory settings anyway in the drill holes. I also bought several LB-1 and O-1 and OE-1 carbs on ebay to get spare parts as all the parts and knurled knobs interchange. The Stromberg numbers merely identify the throat diameter, while all else is the same. After getting the blasted parts back, I paintakingly reassembled the carbs after flushing everything out good with carb alcohol cleaner. The parts buff up beautrifully when they are disassembled. I bought Carb rebuild kits from the Carb shop on ebay. They seem to have them for all these old ones. Just Google Stromberg carburetor and get to their site to order these kits. The products fit perfectly and replace the worn needle vave, seat, and the iron screws. Tuning isn't as hard as you think. There is alot of Tuning information in the Kissel Owner's manual and I'm sure Stutz manuals give directions. In one afternoon of fiddling around, I got mine to idle, adjust for hi-speed, and economize (the three Stromberg adjustments) very well. Remember, these early 1920's cars were made for regular folks to be able to care for and adjust without mechanics. If you can restore that beautiful HCS Stutz, you will be able to do the Stromberg!. Ron Hausmann P.E.

Dave Fields, These "outrigger seats" were also known as "suicide seats" and "mother-in-law" seats. They were standard on Kissel Gold Bug Speedsters from 1920-1923. The car was sold as a 4-passenger. In 1924 these were discontinued. In 1925, Kissel started using "rumble seats". The Paige Daytona Roadsters of this era had similar seats, but only one on the right side. A few early Marmons had them as well. I have ridden in them - S-l-o-w-l-y. I would never have anyone else. They are surisingly sturdy and you won't fall out, possibly because you are scared stiff. Thanks, RON

Restorer 32 You are correct. The recognition appeal I made to CCCA is for Kissel Gold Bugs only, 1920 to 1923, just like mine has, since it is a fact that some Kissel 6-55 Gold Bugs came factory equipped with 6-45 engines. Just doesn't seem right that not all 1923 Kissel Gold Bugs can be classics, while the cheaper model 6-55 coupes are. Thanks, -- RON --

Bob McAnlis, If you have any information on E & J's on Kissels, Jon Conde's book, or their availability in 1923, I would love to get copies in any way. Thanks to all for your help. Restorer 32, You may not know that i petitioned the CCCA to accept the 10 or so remaining Kissel Gold Bugs like mine, from 1920 to 1923, as full classics. These earlier Gold Bugs have the larger 6-45 engine that is bigger than the Full Classic 6-55's, and identical to all but experts. And as you know, Kissel did put 6-45 engines in 6-55 Gold Bugs, which are now CCCA classics anyway. They mixed and match engines and bumpers back then as you know. CCCA said no, because the "Gold Bug" was not a factory term or series, but rather a publically acclaimed nom. I am going to challenge them again for membership but use the term "Speedster", which all "Gold Bugs", and which is a factory term. It makes absolutely no sense that the Kissel Speedsters in 1923 which have bigger engines should not be classics, when the smaller engined ones are. Nuf said. -- RON --

All, Let's just drop the questions. I was just looking for answers, not to stir up controversy. There are 237 Kissels total left in the world, 37 of them are Kissel Speedsters between 1919 and 1928 (Escluding "White Eagles"). About 2/3 rds of these are restored. There are only 5 Kissel Model 6-45 Gold Bug Speedsters like mine, 3 being restored, the other 2 in pieces. Because of their rarity, there are next to no originals left and the factory paperwork was thrown out in the 1930's. Thus the remaining "experts" are just a hand ful of us who typically know far more about this rare, beautiful car, than others. My car was never driven much and not mechanically restored, according to Bill Ruger Sr's Collection Mechanic who helped Mr. Ruger with his collection in the 1980's. It had 20,116 miles on it when they bought it, and it has about 400 miles more now in my possession. I beieve this to be correct because the engine internals were never opened up by Ruger's crew, and they are still quite "new", after flushing out the block's 80-year old rust dams. It is possibly as "original" as you can get. I will keep my E & J's on it, as they are probably, per the kissel museum, original Factory authorized accessories. They look good and "winning" isn't as important to me as sharing the enjoyment of this beauty, as is with everyone. Take care, -- RON HAUSMANN P.E.

The publication referred to above says that Kissel authorized them to be used on Hollywood Gold Bug Speedsters. at least that is what is in writing. Thanks, -- RON --

All, Thanks again for your help. The International Kissel Weekend is June 21st and I will comb thru the archives there in Hartford, Wisconsin, which are the best in existence. There is one publication in "the Art of the Automobile, The 100 Greatest Cars', by Dennis Adler and Jay Leno, which definatively says that the Hollywood, Ca. Kissel Dealer mounted these lights on Kissel Gold Bugs. Where these folks got their information from may be Wm. Ruger Sr. who owned my 1923 Kissel Gold bug previously. If E & J's were available in 1923, I should be OK. We'll see. Ron Hausmann

All, The Kissel Kar Klub has called an International Kissel Gathering to be held on the weekend of June 21, 2009, on the renowned grounds of the Wisconsin Automotive Museum, located in beautiful Hartford, Wisconsin. For those of you who are fortunate enough to own one of these exotic, powerful, and luxurious Kissel Gold Bug speedsters, or other beautiful and ornate Kissel models, please make arrangements to ship or drive your classic to this unforgetable event. If you don't own a Kissel, come and see what you are missing! For details, please contact Dale Anderson at the Wisconsin Automotive museum, or visit their website. Respectfully, Ron Hausmann P.E.

All, Thanks for your help. The Kissel Museum in Hartford Wisconsin says that they are probably correct, and AACA's library shows that E & J Model 20 headlights were being advertised in the eary 1920's. Untill a judge can definely prove these are wrong, we will consider them correct and "cool". RLH

I own a 1923 Kissel Model 6-45 Gold Bug Speedster and these exotic vehicals, like Stutz's, originally were also equipped with Buffalo Wire Wheels. The locking rings are supposed to be nickel, not chrome plated per the Buffalo sales brochures that I have. Any plating shop can do it, expensively. Be careful when you remount them though. The spokes, interior hubs,and actual wheel were usually painted. Many wire wheel restorations however, recommend that you repaint everything AFTER you've mounted the tires to avoid chipping. I tried it the other way, and you cannot avoid chipping. As to powder coating, I have used powder coating on under carrage parts and with certain common colors, you cannot tell the difference. Judges can't either. However, when you have flashy Buffalo wire wheels, you may not be able to get the right contrast-color with the limited ranges of colors at powder coating shops. You Stutz needs wheels that make a statement.

Need help. I own a 1923 Kissel Model 6-45 Gold Bug Speedster which is equipped with E & J Model 20 nickle-plated bullet headlights. "edmund & Jones Model 20's are themselves very hard to obtain. According to the extremely limited Kissel writings that we've seen, these headlights were dealer options for kissel Speedsters sold in Hollywood, California, in the 1920's. However, when I have the car judged, there is often debate about these headlights being correct or not. Most judges have limited Kissel knowledge. Does anyone out there know when Edmund & Jones started making Model 20 headlights?

I am looking to purchase a 1926-1927 Stutz 2-passenger or 4-passenger Boattail Speedster. Does anyone out there have any leads? A restored one is preferred, but an unrestored one is certainly OK.

The cars shown in the pics are probably Kissel Model 6-55 Toursters, which had one door and two rows of seats on floor rails. the spares aren't yet mounted in the sides in the pics. Starting in 1924, they typically came with the 2-bar bumpers. 3-bars were used in most 8's starting in 1925.

Also, kissel speedsters were factory equippede with a really neat exhaust cuttout lever in the driver's compartment. For fast response or to get attention, you just kick the floor lever.

Hello. I just joined AACA. I own a "1923 Kissel Model 6-45 Gold Bug", one of 5 remaining and the only one in show condition. Kissel of hartford made it's own 6 cyl. engines, and dated and numbered each one. The car is heavy but very powerful. I've never had it above 60, but there is more there. It is a real pleasure to show it, becuase it is so rare and "cute as a bug", which is where its name originated. RON

Buffalo #5 wire wheels were also used on early 1920's Kissel Gold Bug Speedsters.