1920 Mercer Series 5 Raceabout

Mercer was world famous for the fast and agile automobiles it built before World War I. In 1915, after five years in business, the company introduced an all-new model, the L-head raceabout which remained in production for nearly a decade and established itself as the foremost American speed machine of the Nickel Era. The Series 5 Raceabout was one of the fastest and most powerful automobiles on American roads. The car had an advanced long-stroke L-head 4-cylinder engine in a superbly engineered chassis with live-axle suspension and, eventually, four-wheel brakes. With its lightweight aluminum body, this gentleman's sports car quickly gained a reputation as a potent competition car. Only a few dozen L-head Raceabouts were made, and they are very collectible today. Carefully restored, this example remains highly original, having spent many years in the famous Paine Collection in Maine.