1913 Mercer Model 35 Runabout

The minimalistic Raceabout, with its pair of seats mounted to the chassis, was the most famous Mercer, often overshadowing the range of body styles that Mercer offered. Some of these added only a little more bodywork than the Raceabout and thus, nearly identical performance. Among them was the Runabout, which was offered in 1913 and 1914, which could be essentially considered a Raceabout with a full windshield, a slightly raised steering column, and side doors. It rested on the same 108-inch wheelbase chassis, powered by the same T-head four-cylinder engine, and backed by a four-speed transmission.

The earliest known owner of this Runabout is Frank Miller of Glendale, Ohio, who had acquired it by 1951. While in his care, it participated in no fewer than six Glidden Tours and earned many of the tour badges on its dashboard. It was acquired by Ed King before being passed to Joel Naive. After Mr. Naive's passing, it was acquired from his estate by a partnership of collectors from the Midwest, who sorted it mechanically, repalted the windshield and various other cosmetic touches, before showing it at the Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance in 2000. In 2004, the car was sold to the current owners in 2004 at Bonhams' Brookline Auction at the Larz Anderson Museum in Brookline, Massachusetts.

The car wears the correct Mercer headlamps, although they have long since been modified to operate on electricity. The original Flechter carburetor remains in place, and the hood, body, and fenders are all believed to be original.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2021