1921 Mercer Series 5

Having made a fortune from the creation of tensioned wire rope suspension bridges, the Roebling family entered the automobile business in 1909 with the formation of the Mercer Automobile Company. Overcoming tragedy early into its existence, with the deaths of its Roebling family leaders, the company survived until 1925, when it was renamed the Mercer Motors Company, signaling its acquisition by Hare's Motors, a joint venture with Simplex and Locomobile.

Washington A. Roebling II was a passenger on the Titanic and perished in 1912. Engineer Finley Robertson Porter resigned in 1914 and was replaced by Delling, who left in 1916. A year later, F.W. Roebling died, and C.G. Roebling passed away in 1918. In October of 1919, a Wall Street syndicate calling itself the Mercer Motors Company acquired control. Former Packard vice-president Emlen S. Hare became President. Hare proceeded to add Locomobile and Simplex-Crane to the company portfolio, but in the post-WWI recession brought hardships which led to the collapse of Hare's Motors in August of 1921. Control of Mercer returned back in the hands of the founding families.

During its existence, the Mercer Automobile Company fostered a reputation for its high-performance cars, especially the Raceabout. First built in 1911, the Raceabout was motivated by a T-head four-cylinder engine and distinguished by its exhaust cutout, round bolster tank, monocle windshield and rudimentary seating for only a driver and a brave passenger. It holds the distinction of being the first automobile successfully built in series for the sole purpose of going fast and winning races.

Approximately 800 examples of the Raceabout were built between 1911 and 1915. Four-cylinder, T-head Mercers were built through 1914 when they were replaced by a new line of L-head fours designed by Eric H. Deiling. The 298 cubic-inch side-valve four-cylinder engine had single ignition and drove through a four-speed transmission. The bore measured 3.75 inches and the engine was rated at 22.5 NACC horsepower, with the earliest versions producing around 70 horsepower; Mercers built later made upwards of 80 horsepower. Rear wheel brakes provided the stopping power, and the suspension employed live axles at both ends, along with semi-elliptical leaf springs. Deiling was among the earliest American designers to add Houdaille lever action friction shock absorbers to the suspension.

Although production estimates vary, none exceed 1,000 per year; some sources state that fewer than 5,000 Mercer automobiles were built in total between its inception in 1911 and the end of production in 1924.

Mercer Series 5

The Mercer Series 5 was produced from 1920 through 1922. It had a 132-inch wheelbase, and its four-cylinder engine produced approximately 70 horsepower. The Raceabout was built on a shorter, 115-inch wheelbase, and building upon the lessons learned from five years of production of the Mercer Type 35, it was refined, improved, and more comfortable and easier to drive. It had body sides that protected the driver's and passenger's legs, and still clinging to its sporting heritage, the seat back formed the back of the passenger compartment, and the fuel still resided on the rear deck in a round bolster tank. Stones and dust were kept at bay by the fenders enclosing the frame. Additional protection was provided by a full-width flat glass windshield, which could be folded down for high-speed runs.

Additional Model 5 body styles included a six-passenger touring, Sportabout, Runabout, and Limousine.

by Dan Vaughan

Raceabout
Chassis number: 15810
Engine number: 6138

This Mercer Series 5 has been in the same family ownership since they acquired it in 1926. It was acquired by Mrs. Libaire from a wealthy friend's son, Farnsworth Chatfield Taylor, who narrowly escaped serious injury in an incident with his plane on Long Island Sound. When Mrs. Libaire's son John turned 16 in 1928, he was given the use of the Mercer.

This car has been mechanically rebuilt in the 1930s. In 1940, it was on display at the New York World's Fair auto exhibit. After the Second World War, the car was a familiar sight at car meets, rallies, and tours on the roads of Long Island and surrounding areas.

This car has never been restored but always well maintained and cared for. The fenders were painted sometime in the 1950s. It has a replacement engine block with a new and correct casting and new exhaust manifolds. It has factory Mercer tools and a repair and parts manual.

In 2010, this car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction in Pebble Beach, CA, where it was estimated to sell for $250,000 - $300,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $308,000, including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Sportabout

The Mercer was one of the premier American racing and sporting cars; they were, and are, highly coveted for their high quality and exceptional handling; the Mercer Raceabout is particularly sought after to this day. Some of their advertising claimed that the Mercers was 'The Steinway of the automobile world.' The Mercer's original design was conceived by Mercer's General Manager, Washington A. Roebling, Jr., who perished in the sinking of the Titanic. His family was responsible for the design and construction of the Brooklyn Bridge.

This 1921 Mercer was discovered and purchased by Roger Cutting, an early Massachusetts auto collector, in the mid-1950s, and stories of its repair, accessorizing, and operation can be found in his 1969 book, 'Motor-Mania.' It appears likely that earlier owners of the car drove it, 'Like they stole it,' because recent engine work revealed that the engine had already been re-bored in 1925.

The Mercer Automobile Co. was in business from 1910 through 1925, the name coming from the area from where it was based, Mercer County, N.J. Financing came from two wealthy families, the Roebling and the Kusers. The vehicles produced by the Mercer Company ranged from sedans to roadsters to limousines with their primary focus aimed at comfort rather than speed. Throughout its lifespan, Mercer never achieved the status of 'mass producer' such as Ford and Cadillac. Their low production and high costs kept the vehicles exclusive. Their first vehicle, introduced in 1910, cost $1950, a price much higher than most other comparable vehicles.

Through the persistence of Washington Roebling, the son of one of the founders of the Mercer Company, a roadster was introduced. The Raceabout is credited as being America's first sports car. Under the hood was a very large four-cylinder engine that was capable of producing nearly 35 horsepower. There were two spare tires and a twenty-five-gallon fuel tank. The 300 cubic-inch engine could propel the 2800-pound vehicle to a top speed of nearly 80 mph. A very impressive accomplishment at the time, especially considering that there were few roads that were suitable for sustaining these types of speeds.

The Raceabout raced heavily in 1911, where it won five of the six races it entered. It achieved world record status and lots of publicity for the evolving company.

Throughout the years, the company's popularity, success, and fortune were up and down. Washington Roebling II was aboard the Titanic in 1912 when it sank. The production of the Raceabout continued. In 1914, Mercer's chief engineer and designer, Porter, left the company to begin automobile production on his own. Unfortunately, he was unable to achieve the success ascertained at the Mercer Company.

By 1919, the founders of the company had passed away. Control of the company passed to a Wall Street Organization that attempted to stimulate growth in production. Control was passed back to the Mercer Automobile employees and production continued for a few years before coming to a close in 1925.

There were many reasons for the demise of the company. When automobile production began in the early 1900's, it was possible for individuals to produce only a few automobiles and turn a profit, or at most, stay in business. As time progressed, so did the competition. Designs became elegant, engine sizes continued to grow, mechanical technology progressed, and vehicles were mass-produced. To stay in business in this evolving automobile economy, the companies were forced to constantly progress. The public demanded new inventions, new enhancements, and new products. The competition, the inability to constantly introduce new products, a tough economy, and unstable leadership were a few of the reasons the company was forced to fold.

by Dan Vaughan