Kissel “Gold Bug” – The Roaring Twenties Speedster

<div style=”text-align: center;”>
<img alt=”Kissel Gold Bug Speedster” src=”~/images/kissel-gold-bug/” style=”width: 300px; height: 191px;” /><br />
&nbsp;</div>
<br />
<p>
Kissel Vehicles, often called &quot;Kissel Kars,&quot; hit the roads of America in 1909 with three different engines and prices ranging from $1,350 to $3,000.&nbsp; In 1915, the Kissel Company introduced its popular six-cylinder L head engine, which continued its performance until 1928. Of the 35,000 automobiles produced, only 150 are known to exist today, which accounts for its high demand and soaring auction prices.<br />
<br />
One of the most sought after models of the Kissel family, and one of the most esteemed early sports cars in America, was the 1919 Speedster in &#39;Chrome Yellow&#39;, nicknamed the &lsquo;Gold Bug&rsquo;.<br />
<br />
The model was true to its slogan &lsquo;Every inch a car&rsquo;.&nbsp; The Bug looked luxurious with its high cowl and bending hood, lower doors and rear fender, which enhanced its streamlined appearance. The rounded body contour gave it a charm that made it one of the most covetable <a href=”https://www.classicins.com/what-we-insure/vintage-car-insurance”>vintage classics</a>. It shot to fame with its innovative seats, which slid out when needed to accommodate more passengers. These magnificent vintage cars gained popularity with celebrities like Amelia Earhart, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and Fatty Arbuckle endorsing and owning them. Their outstanding quality and charismatic<br />
custom built appearance made them instantly appealing for <a href=”https://www.classicins.com/what-we-insure/antique-car-insurance”>antique car</a> enthusiasts.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The Gold Bug was manufactured from 1918 to 1931:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>
1918: Model 6-45 Speedster, bumblebee rear deck, racer-cut sides, a horse-collar radiator grill. They were reported to hit a speed of 70 mph.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
1923-1928: Model 6-55, with golf bag holders</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
1925: Model 8-75 with an eight-cylinder and option for four-passenger seating</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
1928: Two cylinder Series 8-80 and &lsquo;White Eagle&rsquo; Series 8-90 speedsters were offered to the public.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
1929: all Kissel cars came to be called &lsquo;White Eagles&rsquo;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Between 1929 and 1931: Four passenger speedsters were built with eight-cylinder engines in the series 8-95 and 8-126</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>
<br />
At an Arizona auction in 2003, a 1920 Kissel Speedster sold for $68,200. The Gold Bug was awarded the Forgotten Treasure Award at the Marin-Sonoma Concours d&rsquo;Elegance in 2009, third place in Class G (classics) at the 53rd Hillsborough Concours d&rsquo;Elegance, and second place in Class A (classics) at the 2010 Presidio of the San Francisco Concours d&rsquo;Elegance.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
This classic automobile is indeed an exceptional and rare piece of American automotive history. If you are planning on adding the Gold Bug to your classic car collection, check with Classic Auto first, and let us help you make the most of your <a href=”https://www.classicins.com/what-we-insure/collector-car-insurance”>collector car insurance</a> budget!&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<br />
_{Sources:<br />
<a href=”http://www.finecars.cc/en/detail/car/87279/index.html”>http://www.finecars.cc/en/detail/car/87279/index.html</a><br />
<a href=”http://www.starship.org/OtherStuff/Presentations/2005/NostalgiaDay/NostalgiaDay.pdf”>http://www.starship.org/OtherStuff/Presentations/2005/NostalgiaDay/NostalgiaDay.pdf</a><br />
<a href=”http://theoldmotor.com/?p=8483″>http://theoldmotor.com/?p=8483</a><br />
<a href=”http://www.starship.org/OtherStuff/Articles/2010/HistoricGathering/HistoricGathering.pdf”>http://www.starship.org/OtherStuff/Articles/2010/HistoricGathering/HistoricGathering.pdf</a><br />
<a href=”http://www.concoursstudios.com/freelance-writing/kissel-kar”>http://www.concoursstudios.com/freelance-writing/kissel-kar</a><br />
<a href=”http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z15281/Kissel-Model-40.aspx”>http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z15281/Kissel-Model-40.aspx</a><br />
<a href=”http://blogs.autonet.ca/time_machines/general/the-gold-bug/”>http://blogs.autonet.ca/time_machines/general/the-gold-bug/</a><br />
<a href=”http://pbdba.lfpress.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=268584&amp;s=wheels”>http://pbdba.lfpress.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=268584&amp;s=wheels</a>}</p>