conceptcarz.com

Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1914 Mercer Model J-35 Raceabout

  • Chassis Number: 1989
In 1910 the Roebling family began building the Mercer Model 35 Raceabout, which is often called America's first true sports car.

This 1914 Type 35 J Raceabout has VIN #1989 and has only had four owners since new. The Mercer Raceabout didn't have much of a body in its 1911-1914 glory years - only fenders and a hood. No more than 150 were sold in any of these years. This example is one of the last Raceabouts built by mercer in 1914.

The car is powered by a side-valve, T-Head, smooth-running, 4-cylinder engine coupled to a four-speed transmission. The surprisingly quiet four-cylinder engine was the work of Finlay Robertson Porter, a brilliant automotive engineer with a taste for high performance. An oil-immersed multiple-disc clutch enabled unusually smooth gear-shifting for this era. The 300 cubic-inch (4916 cc - 4.9-liter) engine developed 50 horsepower and has a top speed of 75 mph. The 3,200-pound car sold for $2,250 in 1911.

The Mercer Raceabouts lived up to their name as they set numerous speed records. The second owner of this car modified the engine in order to compete at Daytona Beach in 191 when the car was timed at 112 mph, a world record speed that still stands for Mercer cars. It was restored in 1941 by Pennsylvanian Samuel Baily, a noted car collector.

No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.

Recent Sales of the Mercer Model J-35

(Data based on Model Year 1914 sales)
1914 MERCER TYPE 35-J RACEABOUT
Chassis#: 1967
Sold for USD$4,790,000
  2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1914 Mercer Model J-35 image  1914 Mercer Model J-35 image  

Mercer Model J-35s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1914 Mercer Model J-35's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High

Vehicles With Comparable Market Values

Similar sales to the $4,790,000 range.
1914 MERCER TYPE 35-J RACEABOUT
Chassis#:1967
Sold for $4,790,000
2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  
2010 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-25 Formula 1
Chassis#:25A-01
Sold for $4,730,000
2023 RM Sothebys : Sealed Bid
1912 Simplex 50HP 5 Passenger Torpedo Tourer
Chassis#:834
Sold for $4,845,000
2023 Bonhams : Scottsdale Auction
1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  
2018 BMW M4 GT4
Chassis#:WBS4Y9C50JAC86669
Sold for $4,625,000
2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing
Chassis#:198.043.5500786
Sold for $5,010,000
2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  
1935 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Rollston
Chassis#:2576
Sold for $4,680,000
2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  
1996 Ferrari F50
Chassis#:105265
Sold for $4,596,323
2022 Artcurial : Retromobile
1968 Porsche 907 usine
Chassis#:907-031
Sold for $4,849,023
2022 Artcurial : Retromobile
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I by Pinin Farina
Chassis#:0849 GT
Sold for $5,002,319
2021 RM Sothebys : The Guikas Collection
1934 MERCEDES-BENZ 500/540K (FACTORY UPGRADE) SPEZIAL ROADSTER
Chassis#:105136
Sold for $4,900,000
2021 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction
1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer by Corsica
Chassis#:57512
Sold for $4,735,000
2021 RM Sothebys : Arizona
1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  
2015 Koenigsegg One:1
Chassis#:YT9LK1A38EA007111
Sold for $4,617,809
2019 Bonhams : The Bonmont Sale
1966 Serenissima Spyder
Chassis#:005
Sold for $4,800,587
2019 Artcurial : Retroobile
1957 Porsche 550A Spyder
Chassis#:550A-0116
Sold for $4,900,000
2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  
1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series II
Chassis#:0556 (0446) MD
Sold for $5,005,000
2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  
1993 McLaren-Cosworth Ford MP4/8A Formula racing Single-Seater
Chassis#:MP4/8-6
Sold for $5,009,294
2018 Bonhams : The Monaco Sale 'Les Grandes Marques à Monaco'
1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet
Chassis#:1475 GT
Sold for $4,840,000
2017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle thumbnail image  
1965 Dino Berlinetta Speciale par Pininfarina
Chassis#:0840
Sold for $4,679,771
2017 Artcurial : Retromobile
1928 MERCEDES-BENZ TYP S 26/120/180 SUPERCHARGED SPORTS TOURER
Chassis#:35323
Sold for $4,812,500
2017 Bonhams : Scottsdale, AZ
2014 Ferrari LaFerrari
Chassis#:ZFF76ZFA8E0207195
Sold for $4,700,000
2016 Mecum : Monterey

1914 Mercer Model J-35

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Mercer Model J-35 model years

1914 Mercer Model J-35 Vehicle Profiles

1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle information
Raceabout
Chassis #: 1967
Engine #: 1702
1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle information
Raceabout
Chassis #: 1989
1914 Mercer Model J-35 vehicle information
Raceabout
Chassis #: 1053