The Initial Freshening
Go to <Last, Summary, Next>Cooling—A New Kissel Motometer
 Radiator and Mercury emblem on 1926 Kissel Speedster |
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| MOTOMETER: Front and rear views (left two photos) of the Boyce Motometer (Universal Model) that Lynn received with Bugsby. Compare these images with the front and rear views (right two photos) of the new Motometer (De Luxe Model) that Lynn acquired on eBay. |
A dramatic element noticable in older cars like Bugsby is the Motometer proudly displayed at the top of the radiator. A Motometer (a brand name) contains a thermometer that measures the temperature of the air at the top of the radiator, alerting the driver about the temperature of the coolant. Motometers were often something of a fashion statement, sometimes sporting company logos, figurenes or fanciful acutraments such as spiners.
The Boyce Motometer (Universal Model) that Lynn received on Bugsby was probably not the instrument that the car left the factory with. The Kissel was a fancy car and it surely would have a fancy Motometer atop its radiator. Besides, this Boyce Motometer was not in pristine condition, displaying a significant amount of corrosion on its internal plates.
Lynn was pleased to find a De Luxe Model Boyce Motometer for auction on eBay. The new instrument has a Kissel company logo on the front cover rather than the generic logo on the pre-existing device. The interior markings of the new meter are also very cleaner, showing almost no corrosion. The only flaw with the new device is some external corrosion on the outer case (which was also evident on the former instrument). While Lynn paid more that he probably should have for this little gem, he is particularly pleased to have it proudly displayed on the front of the car. Eventually Lynn plans to be disassembled, polished smooth and rechromed this new instrument.
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Last updated: May 24, 2009