1921 Kissel Model 6-45 Tourister
edited by David Barth, 10 January 2009.
Courtesy The Forney Museum of Transportation at 4303 Brighton Blvd., Denver,
Colorado. Photos were taken in January 2009.
This Kissel is the car that started the Forney Museum collection.
At the time this car was built, Kissel's slogan was "Custom Built Car" to give the buyer the impression that he would
have control over what accessories his car would have.
The "six engine" had six-cylinders and was called the "6-45." It had a 3 5/16 inch bore and a 5 1/2 inch stroke. The
car had one front door for the driver and one rear door on the opposite side for passengers.
J. D. "Jack" Forney, Forney's son (1905 - 1986) said this about the beginnings of the Forney collection:
- "In 1956 my mother and I tried to get my father interested in some hobby for a diversion from the business. [Forney
sold welders and other equipment to farmers and small businesses.]
He wasn't interested in hunting, fishing, or golf,
but he was interested in cars. My mother suggested we find a car similar to the one he bought in his senior year at
Sterling, Colorado High School and later courted her in, when they both attended Colorado Aggies [now Colorado State
University (CSU)]. That would be a 1921 Kissel.
The plan was that he would "tinker" with it and drive it on weekends
and to the office. Well, a picture of J. D. Forney and his Kissel was published in the Forney Industires' 'Forney
Flashes' that went out to more than 500 sales representatives across the nation. Right away he received calls
about antique cars they came across. Some could be traded straight across for Forney welding equipment.
Since the
company had five semis roaming the country, it was not difficult to bring them to Fort Collins. There was not a
thought of a 'museum' at that time. We would, however, dress up employees and their families in period clothes that
my mother had collected. Invitations to parades, Octoberfests, etc. gave everyone a great time.
My dad couldn't turn
down an offer of a car, especially if the owner talked of junking the car or selling it to kids for a 'hot rod.'
Needless to say the collection grew, so with other donations and loans it became what it is today."
He wasn't interested in hunting, fishing, or golf, but he was interested in cars. My mother suggested we find a car similar to the one he bought in his senior year at Sterling, Colorado High School and later courted her in, when they both attended Colorado Aggies [now Colorado State University (CSU)]. That would be a 1921 Kissel.
The plan was that he would "tinker" with it and drive it on weekends and to the office. Well, a picture of J. D. Forney and his Kissel was published in the Forney Industires' 'Forney Flashes' that went out to more than 500 sales representatives across the nation. Right away he received calls about antique cars they came across. Some could be traded straight across for Forney welding equipment.
Since the company had five semis roaming the country, it was not difficult to bring them to Fort Collins. There was not a thought of a 'museum' at that time. We would, however, dress up employees and their families in period clothes that my mother had collected. Invitations to parades, Octoberfests, etc. gave everyone a great time.
My dad couldn't turn down an offer of a car, especially if the owner talked of junking the car or selling it to kids for a 'hot rod.' Needless to say the collection grew, so with other donations and loans it became what it is today."