Origin: Hartford, WI
Engine: 8-Cylinder
Transmission: 3-Speed Manual
The Kissel Motor Car Company was founded in 1905 in Hartford, Wisconsin by Louis Kissel and his sons. They produced over 35,000 custom-built vehicles, ranging from fire trucks to hearses to personal automobiles. Chief among their products was the Gold Bug. It was an incredibly popular car among the celebrities of the day, such as aviator Amelia Earhart, boxer Jack Dempsey, and actress Greta Garbo. The Gold Bug is most famous though for being the car of choice for Anita King, who used it to drive unaccompanied across the United States in 1915, becoming the first woman to do so. It took her 49 days.
Despite the Kissel Motor Car Company’s quality product, only 150 are known to exist today. Mr. Rich purchased this Gold Bug on a whim in 2002. It came with a giant Snoopy stuffed animal and two period-appropriate wicker and leather golf bags that really tickled his fancy. The green color was very eye-catching as well. If Rich Harvest Farms were a car, it would definitely be this one!