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The Owls Head Transportation Museum wrapped up its 48th Annual New England Auto Auction this past August with a record result and two stories that will outlast the sale itself. A rare 1922 Kissel 6-45 Speedster brought $244,750, and a 1924 Dodge Brothers Series 116 Touring Car raised money for a Maine community recovering from a devastating fire. Both cars ended up back at the museum.
The Gold Bug Sets a Record
The headliner was the 1922 Kissel 6-45 Speedster, the model enthusiasts know as the "Gold Bug." Its $244,750 sale price is believed to be the highest ever recorded for one of these cars. Only about 35 Gold Bugs are thought to survive, and this one drew bidders in the room, on the phone and online.
Built by the Kissel Motor Car Company in Hartford, Wisconsin, the Gold Bug was one of the flashiest American cars of the Jazz Age, with sporty speedster styling that stood out among the upright sedans and tourers of the period. If you enjoy this era, our look at some of the most beautiful 1920s and 1930s cars on the planet is worth a read, as is our feature on the 1920 Stutz Bearcat, another American sporting icon of the time.
What makes this sale stand out is what happened next. Rather than tucking the Kissel away in a private garage, the buyer chose to loan it to the Owls Head Transportation Museum. Visitors to the Midcoast Maine museum will now be able to see one of the most distinctive American automobiles of the 1920s in person.
A Dodge Brothers Tourer Gives Back Twice
The second notable car was a 1924 Dodge Brothers Series 116 Touring Car, offered to benefit individuals and families affected by the May 2026 Robbins Lumber fire in Searsmont, Maine. It sold for $6,600, with the proceeds going to the Robbins Lumber Relief Fund through the Town of Searsmont.
The new owner then donated the Dodge back to the museum, where it will join the fleet of ride automobiles visitors can experience firsthand. Dodge Brothers cars from this era have a loyal following, as shown by restorations like this Dodge Brothers car that came home in pieces and survivors like this 1929 Dodge Brothers DA Six Phaeton.
Strong Numbers Across the Board
The four-day event drew nearly 2,000 visitors and included two preview days, the community-focused Rev It Up Party and two days of bidding. In all, 214 vehicles crossed the block and 189 found new owners, an approximately 88 percent sell-through rate.
The New England Auto Auction is one of the museum's largest fundraisers. It supports the nonprofit's year-round work preserving and operating its collection, along with educational programs, hands-on experiences and community events.
For collectors, the Gold Bug result is another sign that well-documented, rare pre-war cars continue to command serious money. If that has you shopping, check out the 10 coolest pre-war cars for sale right now on Motorious.
Source: Owls Head Transportation Museum via PenBay Pilot
