1921 Mercer Series 5

Having made a fortune from the creation of tensioned wire rope suspension bridges, the Roebling family entered the automobile business in 1909 with the formation of the Mercer Automobile Company. Overcoming tragedy early into its existence, with the deaths of its Roebling family leaders, the company survived until 1925, when it was renamed the Mercer Motors Company, signaling its acquisition by Hare's Motors, a joint venture with Simplex and Locomobile.

Washington A. Roebling II was a passenger on the Titanic and perished in 1912. Engineer Finley Robertson Porter resigned in 1914 and was replaced by Delling, who left in 1916. A year later, F.W. Roebling died, and C.G. Roebling passed away in 1918. In October of 1919, a Wall Street syndicate calling itself the Mercer Motors Company acquired control. Former Packard vice-president Emlen S. Hare became President. Hare proceeded to add Locomobile and Simplex-Crane to the company portfolio, but in the post-WWI recession brought hardships which led to the collapse of Hare's Motors in August of 1921. Control of Mercer returned back in the hands of the founding families.

During its existence, the Mercer Automobile Company fostered a reputation for its high-performance cars, especially the Raceabout. First built in 1911, the Raceabout was motivated by a T-head four-cylinder engine and distinguished by its exhaust cutout, round bolster tank, monocle windshield and rudimentary seating for only a driver and a brave passenger. It holds the distinction of being the first automobile successfully built in series for the sole purpose of going fast and winning races.

Approximately 800 examples of the Raceabout were built between 1911 and 1915. Four-cylinder, T-head Mercers were built through 1914 when they were replaced by a new line of L-head fours designed by Eric H. Deiling. The 298 cubic-inch side-valve four-cylinder engine had single ignition and drove through a four-speed transmission. The bore measured 3.75 inches and the engine was rated at 22.5 NACC horsepower, with the earliest versions producing around 70 horsepower; Mercers built later made upwards of 80 horsepower. Rear wheel brakes provided the stopping power, and the suspension employed live axles at both ends, along with semi-elliptical leaf springs. Deiling was among the earliest American designers to add Houdaille lever action friction shock absorbers to the suspension.

Although production estimates vary, none exceed 1,000 per year; some sources state that fewer than 5,000 Mercer automobiles were built in total between its inception in 1911 and the end of production in 1924.

Mercer Series 5
The Mercer Series 5 was produced from 1920 through 1922. It had a 132-inch wheelbase, and its four-cylinder engine produced approximately 70 horsepower. The Raceabout was built on a shorter, 115-inch wheelbase, and building upon the lessons learned from five years of production of the Mercer Type 35, it was refined, improved, and more comfortable and easier to drive. It had body sides that protected the driver's and passenger's legs, and still clinging to its sporting heritage, the seat back formed the back of the passenger compartment, and the fuel still resided on the rear deck in a round bolster tank. Stones and dust were kept at bay by the fenders enclosing the frame. Additional protection was provided by a full-width flat glass windshield, which could be folded down for high-speed runs.

Additional Model 5 body styles included a six-passenger touring, Sportabout, Runabout, and Limousine.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2023