1922 Mercer Series 5 Sport

In 1915, Mercer introduced its first all-new model since its founding five years prior. It was dubbed the Series 5, and it would remain in production for nearly a decade. It was one of the fastest and most powerful automobiles on the American road, with power from a Eric Delling-designed L-head four-cylinder engine. The powerplant was fitted into an advanced chassis with live-axle suspension and (eventually) four-wheel braking.

This example is a four-passenger Series 5 Sporting that is very original. The original owner was Jay Smith, of Warren, Pennsylvania and was later acquired at some point by a Cleveland, Ohio businessman named Frederick Crawford for the Thompson Auto Album. The car remained in this collection until some point in the 1950s, when it was sold to the late Carl Amsley of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Richard Roy acquired it from Mr. Amsley in 1971. He held onto the Mercer until 2001, when it was sold to an individual in Connecticut, who quickly passed it to John Fundukian of Grosse Pointe, Michigan. In 2004, Mr. Roy was able to buy the Mercer back from Mr. Fundukian.

Since entering Mr. Roy's care for the second time, it was given new upholstery to the front seat and replacement of the studs holding on the top water jacket of the engine. Currently, the odometer shows 41,594 miles which are believed to be original. It is finished in deep blue and black.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2015