1921 Mercer Series 5 Raceabout

This Mercer Series 5 has been in the same family ownership since they acquired it in 1926. It was acquired by Mrs. Libaire from a wealthy friend's son, Farnsworth Chatfield Taylor, who narrowly escaped serious injury in an incident with his plane on Long Island Sound. When Mrs. Libaire's son John turned 16 in 1928, he was given the use of the Mercer.

This car has been mechanically rebuilt in the 1930s. In 1940, it was on display at the New York World's Fair auto exhibit. After the Second World War, the car was a familiar sight at car meets, rallies, and tours on the roads of Long Island and surrounding areas.

This car has never been restored but always well maintained and cared for. The fenders were painted sometime in the 1950s. It has a replacement engine block with a new and correct casting and new exhaust manifolds. It has factory Mercer tools and a repair and parts manual.

In 2010, this car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction in Pebble Beach, CA, where it was estimated to sell for $250,000 - $300,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $308,000, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2010