1920 Kissel Gold Bug

The Kissel Gold Bug Speedster is one of the most honored and appreciated early sports cars in America, joining the Mercer Raceabout and Stutz Bearcat among the performance royalty of the centurys first quarter. Powered by a 61hp side valve six and sporting dramatically low, streamlined two-seat bodywork, the Kissel Gold Bugs other claim to fame is the pair of occasional seats which slide out from the bodywork just behind the passenger compartment to take two very brave (or foolhardy) passengers along for the ride of their lives. The Kissels 6-cylinder engine gives it exceptional performance and smooth, torquey power not enjoyed by its competitors. This 1920 Gold Bug is presented in the brilliant yellow livery that characterizes the model and give it its name, set off by black leather upholstery and a black cloth top. Yellow wire wheels with blackwall tires complete the Gold Bug theme and the radiator proudly wears a Kissel-badged winged Motometer. It was comprehensively restored in the United States before being acquired by a French collector who has thoroughly maintained it both mechanically and cosmetically while enjoying it frequently in tours throughout the Continent over the past several years. It has pullout seats on both sides, two luggage trunk openings in the turtleback rear deck and a rear-mounted spare wheel and tire. Its frequent long distance tours in Europe have demonstrated its reliability but it also has been consistently cosmetically maintained and freshened as needed so it is today one of the finest examples of its rare marque and model, a Gold Bug that can be counted on to provide exceptional performance and satisfaction on the road while being ready to be displayed with confidence at the end of a days tour. The early American concept of a sports car is nowhere better exemplified than in this exceptional 1920 Kissel 6-45 Gold Bug Speedster.