1929 Kissel White Eagle Series 8-95 Speedster

Vehicle
1929 Kissel White Eagle Series 8-95 Speedster
247 cid, I-8, 95 bhp

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Kissel Kars and Kissels were built in Hartford, Wisconsin from 1907 to 1931. The company built cars, trucks and funeral cars. In 1929 the company built a total of 881 units with only 681 as passenger cars. The White Eagle Speedster was easily Kissel’s sportiest offering.

In the early 1920s, the Kissel Kar Company was the pride of Hartford, Wisconsin. The cars they produced were considered one of America’s finest. Though the company may not be known in modern times, during their lifespan they built some 35,000 cars. Today, about 150 examples exist.

The White Eagle was the company’s largest, most powerful, and most impressive model series of the Kissel Kar Company. They had a new, flat radiator shell and more modern styling, as well as a choice of Lycoming eight-cylinder engines. The Speedster body style was the updated variant of the ‘Gold Bug’ design that had been Kissel’s most famous offering. It allowed seating for two adults in a torpedo-shaped body, complete with ‘semi-boattail’ rear, along with tie-downs for its owner’s golf bags on the fenders.

This 8-95 White Eagle Speedster is the only known survivor. It spent 35 years in private ownership, during which it was displayed at the owner’s climate-controlled museum and occasionally driven and enjoyed.

Power is from a 246.5 cubic-inch L-Head Lycoming eight-cylinder engine offering 95 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic brakes.

Highlights:

  • Made in Hartford, WI 1907-1931
  • Known as Kissel Kar from 1907-1918
  • Total production 1907-1931: 21,493; Total 1919 production for al Kissel body styles was just 681
  • Price new: $2,195