The Washington times., 1916-01-29
Popularity Of Touring Body With
Only Two Entrance Doors
Led to New Design.
WORKED LONG ON PLANS
Great Demand For Machine
Useful in All Seasons Testi-
fieS to Success Of Venture.
By GEORGE A. KIssEL.

The most successful inventions are
those that combine. in a simple and con-
venient eway, something useful, attrac-
tive, and economical-something that
looks as we'll and serves as we'll at less
cost than the same purpose was Tor
merly served.
The all-year car is one of this class
of inventions, and on account Of the
warmth with which the public has ac-
cepted the idea it has been suggested
that a story of its origin and develop
ment would prove interesting.
At the 1914 automobile shows the
Klssel Motor Car Company presented
as a novelty-not as standard-a new
style Of open touring body which had
but two entrance doors and a divided
front seat with a corridor between.
This model not only was a subject Of
much interest and comment, but a
great many orders were taken for it.
Adopted AS Standard.
In fact so many compliments and in
quiries were received from this design
that it was decided to adopt 1t as
standard. It was introduced as such in
May, 1914. That was the germ of the
all-year car idea.
With two doors and a divided front
seat here at last was an opportunity to
perfect a two-ln-one cara car that
would be a real high-grade closed coach
in winter and a. stylish touring car In
summer. We saw this opportunity the
moment we placed our o. X. on the two
door car, AMI began to work out the de-
tains.
For two months our body engineers
labored at nothing else. There were OBJ
stacles to overcome, of course. Many
plans were rejected. 1t had to be q
fhorou0h ioh-aouafbinO that mould
look just as good and serve as COM
pletely In its winter form as in its sum-
mer form.
1t was determined that the only way
10 build this model and build it so II
would dovetail as it should. was to con-
struct the two halves as one. This we
did, and have ever since done. The tor
is not mere lid-it is part of the orig
inal job-removable at the owners will
and without squeaks, rattles, oil
draughts.
Great Demand For Car.
The public announcement OF the ALI
Year car was made in the middle OF
August, 1914, in both the newspapers
and magazines. How 1t was received
is best indicated in the fact that in
New York city alone more than $50 in
Quiries were recorded in the first two
days following the publication of tht
advertisement. Throughout the 1914-1l
season the demand for it was so great
that We could fill only about one-thir6
of the actual orders received. There
was no other manufacturer building
anything of the kind, but all ack-
nowledged that it would increase the
winter use of cars wonderfully. That
they were sincere is best proved by the
fact that more than a score of them
are featuring some sort of a detach'
aole top this season.
have been asked to state also how
We hit upon the title All-Year Car as q
Kissel trade name. Just as in the case
OF the invention itself. a successful
name Is usually the most simple name
The All-Year Car was among many sug
gested ones, but seemed Immediately tC
meet the merits of brevity and catchi
ness and to carry the best possible de.
scription Of the product.