Kissel Kars were manufactured in the 1900's by Louis and his sons William and George. The company was based in Hartford, Wisconsin, and produced custom built vehicles at the time. Although the company was known for building high quality automobiles, the business ceased after the war due to The Great Depression.
Back then, almost everyone knew the slogan 'Every Inch a Car', which belonged to the well-loved car manufacturer in Wisconsin. They started building four and six cylinder engines from 1906 to 1909. The company launched their eight cylinder engine units in 1925. Something that put other competitors at the bottom of the game.
Their 8-cylinder units were a hit in the early 1900's. This helped them compete with other local players in the market. Their 6-cylinder Gold Bug Speedster was also one of their famous models. They also manufactured a sports car named White Eagle Speedster.
The company also manufactured the All Year model. The vehicle was famous for its removable hard top, curtain, and glass windows. The company boasted of their illuminated instrument panel, which was one of their best innovations.
Business was doing great from the time it was launched until the mid 1920's. During the Great Depression in the US, vehicle manufacturers and other businesses took a deep plunge, and most of them were not able to cope up with the losses. In September 1930, the owners of the company closed the business and filed for bankruptcy.
To date, only around twenty pre-war cars still exist. The models are those that were manufactured between 1909 and 1915. If not for losses during the late 1920's, the company could've made it through until today. In 1935, however, the company was rebuilt. They created engines for Sears, Roebuck, and Company. After the George passed away in 1942, the company was sold to West Bend Aluminum Company. A 2007 auction in Pebble Beach, CA sold some of the vehicles for around $55,000. Another car was again auctioned in 2008. There are still several cars on display at the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford.
Back then, almost everyone knew the slogan 'Every Inch a Car', which belonged to the well-loved car manufacturer in Wisconsin. They started building four and six cylinder engines from 1906 to 1909. The company launched their eight cylinder engine units in 1925. Something that put other competitors at the bottom of the game.
Their 8-cylinder units were a hit in the early 1900's. This helped them compete with other local players in the market. Their 6-cylinder Gold Bug Speedster was also one of their famous models. They also manufactured a sports car named White Eagle Speedster.
The company also manufactured the All Year model. The vehicle was famous for its removable hard top, curtain, and glass windows. The company boasted of their illuminated instrument panel, which was one of their best innovations.
Business was doing great from the time it was launched until the mid 1920's. During the Great Depression in the US, vehicle manufacturers and other businesses took a deep plunge, and most of them were not able to cope up with the losses. In September 1930, the owners of the company closed the business and filed for bankruptcy.
To date, only around twenty pre-war cars still exist. The models are those that were manufactured between 1909 and 1915. If not for losses during the late 1920's, the company could've made it through until today. In 1935, however, the company was rebuilt. They created engines for Sears, Roebuck, and Company. After the George passed away in 1942, the company was sold to West Bend Aluminum Company. A 2007 auction in Pebble Beach, CA sold some of the vehicles for around $55,000. Another car was again auctioned in 2008. There are still several cars on display at the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford.