Kissel Car Company's Industry Influence

by Cecile Ingram

For as long as there have been automobiles, there have been certain companies that have made substantial contributions to the advancement of the industry. Whether it was through a technological innovation, a trend setting feature or some truly appealing design idea, certain models set the guidelines for many to follow. One such manufacturer was the Kissel Motor Car Company who introduced many concepts that are still in use.

Louis <A href="http://www.kisselsandclassiccars.com">

Kissel</A> officially started the company on June 5, 1906 with his four sons, George, William, Adolph and Otto. They set up shop in the town of Hartford, Wisconsin and began manufacturing high quality machines including cars, utility vehicles, trucks, fire engines, taxis and even hearses. They built a reputation for themselves by producing beautiful and dependable automobiles at a reasonable price.

Though they unfortunately filed for bankruptcy in 1930, they produced more than 35,000 vehicles during their operational time. Their vehicles were so well built and dependable that many were passed down through generations of owners, keeping them within the original purchasing family. There are only about 150 of these classic beauties known to still be in existence today, though some have not been as meticulously maintained as the others.

Another thing that set this company apart was their practice of only manufacturing cars as they were ordered. Customers were given the chance to make custom decisions about their vehicles so that it better fit their personal style. Some of the options they were able to choose were things like did they want running boards or step brackets, headlights in the drum or bullet style, upholstery of fabric or leather, spare wheels mounted on the rear or side, the desired number of bumper bars and even the luxury of installed golf bag brackets.

Allowing customers to customize their new car in this way was just one of the multiple innovative idea they introduced to the industry. They brought many changes to body style as well as engine design. The company claims to have created the concepts of selective sliding gear transmissions as well as illuminated dashboards.

During their first twelve years of business, the company's primary focus was on engineering dependable vehicles with the attention to fine craftsmanship being evident. As the economy changed and people's tastes became more extravagant, the new models started taking on a more stylized and elegant appearance. It was not at all uncommon to see solid rubber tires with wooden spokes on these cars as well as certain luxuries like curtains and removable hard tops.

The Speedster was one of Kissel's more popular models. It featured several advancements in engineering technology that those enjoying speed were drawn too and a sleekly attractive body style that caught the eyes of many. It was a favorite of several celebrities from that era like Fatty Arbuckle, Greta Garbo, Al Jolson and the incredible Amelia Earhart.

Kissel cars were highly respected vehicles of their time and remain among the most treasured of the modern era. The company claims to have invented and introduced several engineering innovations, such as the illuminated dashboard, to the industry, and it is no doubt that they provided amazing style influences for the future designers. Their impact in the field of automotive manufacturing is undeniable and quite substantial.



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