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1908 Buick in Ames
Tribune photo published December 3, 1954
1908 Buick in Ames
Tribune photo published December 3, 1954
Touring the country in his 1908 Buick, Alex Semrau of Ortonville, Minn., takes advantage of reduced gasoline prices in Ames Thursday and stops to gas up. Semrau is heading for South Carolina and warmer climates this trip. On his travels, he has been in 36 states. His Buick has around 170,000 miles registered and some of its features are acetylene gas lamps for headlights, a four cylinder engine and complete air conditioning. This Buick is refueling at Hibbs Phillips "66" managed by Herbert Hibbs and located at Lincoln Way and Elm.
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| The 1908 Buick Model 10 was Buick's most popular
vehicle for 1908, available in off-white Buick Gray. The Model 10
came in one flavor, a Touring Runabout with seating for 3 and costing $900.
A total of 4,002 examples were created, with the Model F being the second
most favorite, with 3,281 examples produced. The Model 10 featured acetylene
headlights, bulb horn, and oil-fueled side and taillights. The front suspension
was comprised of semi-elliptic leaf springs with full-ellipticals in the
rear. The 88-inch wheelbase vehicle was powered by a four-cylinder engine
that displaced 165 cubic-inches. Power was rated at 40 and delivered to
the rear wheels via a 2-speed planetary transmission and a driveshaft.
When W.C. (Billy) Durant organized General Motors in 1908, the Buick Motor Company was the financial foundation which made it all possible. In the same way, the highly successful Model 10 series cars was the financial foundation of Buick. |
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| Mr. and Mrs. S.H. Cooper of Reno, Nev., stopped in Ames Monday to gas up their 1911 Kissel Kar and to eat lunch. They are shown here with Oscar Wolf, local service station operator. Note the license plate, "Nevada Horseless Carriage, 2" and Mrs. Cooper's "duster." The plate is in deference to Cooper's position as vice president of the Nevada Horseless Carriage club. |
| 42-YEAR-OLD KISSEL RUNS
7,000 MILES - More than one head turned for a double-take here Monday morning
as a 1911 Kissel Kar purred majestically down Lincoln Way. Most will
agree that there is nothing particularly out of the ordinary about an old
car - but when the car is 42 years old and looks as if it just rolled off
the assembly line, then it's worth more than a passing nod.
Mr. and Mrs. S.H. Cooper of Reno, Nev., are the owners of the car which was built in Hartford, Wis., by the Kissel Motor Car Co. under the slogan "Every Inch a Car." And they just weren't kidding. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper is the vice president of the Nevada Horseless Carriage club and a Reno florist. They are on their way to Cleveland where they will participate in the Glidden Tour with 341 other "horseless carriages." The tour will be from Cleveland to Detroit as a part of the Ford Motor Co. 50th anniversary celebration. Before the Coopers return to Reno they will have covered 7,000 miles in their Kissel, which cruises along at a steady 45 miles per hour. But this is not the first trip for the Coopers in the ancient touring car. Two years ago they traveled to Pittsburgh and returned to Reno via New York in 10 days. For car lovers here a few vital statistics on the Kissel. It has a four cylinder engine and three speeds forward. Tires are 35 x 5 (about like a barrel hoop), right hand drive and all decorations are in solid brass. It has presto gas headlights and kerosene side lamps. Oh yes, you crank it to start. |
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| Kissel began as a farm equipment manufacturer
in Hartford, WI, switching to automobiles in 1908. They originally made
all their own components, gradually evolving to an assembled car like the
sporty Gold Bug and White Eagle Sportster of the twenties. The company
manufactured and sold engines even after automobile production ceased in
1937. This car is an authentic 40-horespower chassis with L-head engine,
a four-speed transmission and a full-floating rear axle. The body is a
recreation from factory blueprints. The car has participated in many Horseless
Carriage Club tours, as well as in the Ormond Beach Land Speed Record exhibition.
The wide stance, low center of gravity, great driving position and exceptional
brakes make this car a joy to drive.
The Kissel brothers lived in the town of Hartford, Wisconsin where they made their living by creating engines and farm equipment. In 1906 they shifted their priorities to the evolving automobile market and created the Kissel Motor Company. The company was owned by Louis Kissel and his two sons, William and George. In 1907 their first vehicle, the Kissel Kar, went on sale. It was powered by a four-cylinder engine that produced 35 horsepower. The engine was water-cooled and L-head configuration. Throughout the years the company had its share of ups and downs. The reputation and prosperity of the company was founded on quality, durability, advanced design, outstanding performance, and dependability. They were able to maintain this reputation because they were a low production company. With the onset of World War I, the name Kar was dropped from the line-up because of resemblance to German words. The company and its 1400 workers once again switched priority to producing trucks for the Army. The Great Depression was responsible for the demise of the Kissel Automobile Company. In 1935 the company was reorganized and named Kissel Industries where they produced motors for Sears, Roebuck and Company. In 1942 George Kissel passed away and the company was sold to West Bend Aluminum Company. from http://www.conceptcarz.com
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