1922 Mercer Series 5 Raceabout

The Mercer Raceabout was the personification of rudimentary and the pinnacle of road-going performance for its era. With staggered semi-bucket seats, lightweight coachwork, a round bolster tank, and a monocle windshield, the original Raceabout was designed for speed at the expense of comfort.

The Roebling brothers and their engineer Finley Robertson Porter built approximately 800 Mercer Raceabouts from 1915 to 1923. Four-cylinder T-head Mercers were built through 1914, and then a new line of L-head fours was designed by Eric H. Deiling. The 289 cubic-inch L-head unit produced approximately 70 horsepower at 2,000 RPM (early examples produced around 70 bhp (22.5 NACC ); later examples had around 80 bhp) and was paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. Stopping power was activated by a foot brake on the driveshaft with internal-expanding hand brakes on the rear wheels. The suspension was via semi-elliptical leaf springs with a front beam and live rear axle. Mercer was one of the first American automobiles to add Houdaille lever action friction shock absorbers to the suspension.

The Roebling brothers died within a year of each other, and ownership of the company passed to a New York investment syndicate, which put Emlen Hare, former manager of Packard's New York branch, in charge. Locomobile and Simplex-Crane were added to the company's portfolio, but due to the World War I recession put too much of a strain on the company's resources. By 1921, control of Mercer had reverted back to the founding families.

Despite the changes in ownership and management, Mercer stayed the course and continued to build high-quality, fast automobiles in its Trenton, New Jersey factory (in Mercer County, from which it took its name).

This Series 5 Raceabout was acquired by Vince Galloni in 1932 through a mechanic's lien from a customer in New York. Mr. Galloni was the owner of the Lincoln Garage in Trenton and had worked at the Mercer factory since its inception. He later sold it to Samuel 'Santo' Vannozzi, also of Trenton. The Mercer remained in Mr. Vannozzi's care until his passing in 2001, at which point ownership transferred to his son, Joe. In 2012, Joe sold the Raceabout to the current owner.

Since entering the current owner's care, the car has been given a restoration by Schaeffer & Long Inc., which returned the car's finishes to original condition, sourcing a correct Penberthy carburetor, correctly replating all exterior trim in nickel, and countless other details. Upon completion, it was awarded a National First Prize at the 2016 AACA Eastern Spring Meet in Vineland, New Jersey, and also won the annual Vince Galloni Award that year for the best Mercer shown that season.

This Mercer is powered by a 289 cubic-inch L-head inline four-cylinder engine with a single Updraft Penberthy carburetor and produces 72 horsepower at 2,000 RPM. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and a semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2024