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1913 Mercer Model 35

The Mercer-built vehicle was among the most revered of the Brass Era, thanks in part to its well-balanced chassis and T-head four-cylinder engine, with its blocks cast in pairs and mounted on an aluminum crankcase. These were the contributions of the engineer Finley Robertson Porter and endowed the Mercer with sporting characteristics that helped it become one of the world's fastest road cars of its era.

For 1913, the Mercer Model 35 was available as a 2-person Raceabout (called the 35J) and a Runabout (the 35K). Both rested on a wheelbase that measured 108 inches. A four-person touring body style was available on the Model 35, as was a five-person version. Both of these body styles rested on a wheelbase that measured 118 inches. The four-door touring was called the 35G, and the five-person version was dubbed the 35H. Both the 35G and 35H sold for $2900; the 35J sold for $2600, and the 35K listed for $2700.

The 301 cubic-inch T-Head inline 4-cylinder engine used a single Fletcher carburetor that helped it produce 34 horsepower (ALAM Rated). They were backed by a four-speed manual transmission, and rear-wheel drum brakes provided the stopping power. The suspension was comprised of semi-elliptic leaf springs with Hartford Friction-Type shock absorbers.

The Mercer Raceabout was created by Finley R. Porter (designer and engineer) and the Roebling and Kuser families of Brooklyn Bridge construction fame. Porter's self-taught engineering abilities were combined with Washington A. Roebling's concept of a low-slung speedster. The minimalist vehicle was agile, had an impressive power-to-weight ratio, and proved extremely capable in competition. Many were driven off the showroom floor and to the race track, where they often emerged victoriously.

Even though they were minimalistic vehicles, they carried a base price of $2,250, making them unreachable by most of the public. The T-Head Raceabout was never produced in mass quantities, nor were they hailed as a practical car. They offered no protection against the weather, no creature comforts, and the ride was harsh. These were meant to race and to win.

by Dan Vaughan

Raceabout

Mercer automobiles were built in Trenton, New Jersey, from 1910 until 1925. Designed for use by amateur sportsmen, the T-head Mercer Raceabout was first sold in 1911, and these factory-built cars set competition records wherever they appeared. Raceabouts won the Chicago Automobile Club Trophy race three years running, including one driven by Ralph De Palma at an average speed of 66.8 mph. With its distinctive monocle windshield, the Mercer Raceabout was known as 'The Champion Light Car' and was every sporting motorist's dream car, along with its archrival, the Stutz Bearcat. This car has been a feature of the wonderful Harrah Collection since the 1960s.

by Dan Vaughan

Raceabout

This Mercer 35J Raceabout is considered to be America's first sports car. A Mercer Raceabout could be taken from the showroom to the racetrack in 1913 and win hands down against all competition. The Model 35 J was the ultimate driving machine of its era.

This car has just undergone a complete nut and bolt restoration over the last three years and is making its concours debut at the 2005 Amelia Island Concours.

Raceabout

Mercer's first forays into automobile manufacturing with the Touring and Speedster were successful, but it was the Raceabout that made the company famous. Of 300 original Raceabouts, it is estimated that only 17 genuine cars exist today. This is one of those 17, and it is one of even fewer Raceabouts that have never been restored. Many Mercers were taken right from the showroom floor to a race track where, with fenders, running boards and lighting equipment removed, they would frequently set lap records. Called 'The Champion Light Car,' the Mercer Raceabout was every sporting motorist's dream car along with its archrival, the Stutz Bearcat.

Raceabout

While this Indy did not run at Indy, it represents the type of cars that did race at Indy in the early 1900s. The Mercer Auto Company was founded in 1909 in Trenton, New Jersey. The 'Mercer Raceabout' was one of America's first sports car. At the time, the car was guaranteed to do 70 mph, when very few people had gone over 50 mph. The first Mercer was the Type 30, with the Type 35 being their second car. It was a low-slung car with the engine sitting deep within the chassis providing a low center of gravity. When built for racing, Mercer sold the car as a stripped-down Type 35 model. While the Type 35 Mercer won races on both dirt tracks and hill climb competition, Mercer was never able to win at Indy.

Raceabout

The Mercer Model 35 was introduced in 1913 and was available as a 2-person Raceabout called the 35 J, or a Runabout named the 35K. Both were built on a 108-inch chassis powered by a 300 cubic-inch four-cylinder engine mated to a Brown & Lipe gearbox. Raceabouts won the Chicago Automobile Club Trophy three years running, including one driven by Ralph De Palma at an average speed of 66.8 mph. Another finished second in the 1913 Indianapolis 500 behind a more powerful Peugeot. The Model 35 J sold for $2,600 - a huge sum of money at the time - but despite the cost, nearly 1,000 Model 35 Js and 35 Ks were sold between 1910 and 1914.

Raceabout

Perhaps the most original Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout in existence, this car was delivered new by the Whiting Motor Company in New York to John F. Gray, in whose family it remained for over 30 years. A subsequent owner shipped the raceabout to the West Coast and used it for several years in and around Del Mar, California. In 1943, it was sold to collector Herbert Royston, with whom it remained until the mid-1970s. It was then purchased by famed race car driver Phil Hill. This 60-hp, 5-liter raceabout cost $2,500 when new and ranks among the most sought-after Brass Era cars in the world.

Raceabout
Chassis number: 1579

The Mercer Automobile Company was established in 1909 by the Roebling family, which was famous for building the Brooklyn Bridge, and Mercer's legendary T-head Raceabout was one of the most significant cars of the early Brass Era. The Type 35 was introduced in 1911, and in 1913 the 35K Runabout and 35J Raceabout were also offered. Both were built on a 108-inch chassis powered by a 300 cubic-inch, 4-cylinder engine mated to a Brown & Lipe 4-speed gearbox. Raceabouts won the Chicago Automobile Club Trophy for three years running, including the year a Raceabout driven by Ralph DePalma average 66.8 mph. Another Mercer finished second in the 1913 Indianapolis 500. The Model 35J sold at the time for $2,600, a price that would translate to that of a modern supercar today. Despite the cost, nearly 1,000 Model 35 Js and 35 Ks were sold.

Raceabout

The Mercer Model 35 is often said to be America's first true sports car. Built in Trenton, New Jersey, between 1910 and 1925, Mercers were often sold to aspiring amateur race drivers. In 1913, the sportiest Mercer was the two-person Raceabout designated the 35 J. Built on a 108-inch chassis, it was powered by a 4-cylinder, 4.9-liter, side valve, T-head engine mated to a Brown & Lipe gearbox. These cars were exceptionally fast for the period; they were guaranteed to do over 70 mph when very few people had driven at over 50 mph. Mercer Raceabouts won the Chicago Automobile Club Trophy three years in a row, and a Raceabout finished second in the 1913 Indianapolis 500 behind a more powerful Peugeot.

This car has been raced and toured by its current owner for many years but is still one of the most original Mercers in the world. Restored several years ago, all the body panels are stamped with their original numbers and the engine still runs with its original Fletcher carburetor.

Raceabout
Engine number: 1462

The Mercer Type 35 Raceabout was produced from 1911 through 1914 and was considered to be the United States' original sports car, beating the Stutz Bear Cat by a year. These were essentially a road-going automobile that felt equally at home on the race track. The engine was a well-engineered T-head 4-cylinder unit with blocks cast in pairs and mounted on an aluminum crankcase. It was the work of engineer Finley Robertson Porter and could propel the car to speeds of 100 mph, making it one of the fastest automobiles in the world.

This particular Mercer Type 35J Raceabout is part of the Don C. Boulton collection. Mr. Boulton had the car restored by Stu Laidlaw, using a collection of Type 35 components acquired from Roger Ellis, with bodywork that is extremely authentic in its appearance, including proper seats. The car has Rushmont Searchlight headlamps fed by a Prestolite acetylene tank. There are wooden wheels painted Mercer Yellow with black striping. Other items include the Dietz two-tiered brass sidelights, Dietz Dainty taillamp, Warner Auto-Meter, Bosch magneto, and correct Mercer-badged Boyce Motometer crowns the radiator.

The engine is a 301 cubic-inch T-head four-cylinder unit offering 34 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drum brakes, and semi-elliptic leaf springs with Hartford Friction-Type shock absorbers.

by Dan Vaughan

Raceabout
Chassis number: 1143
Engine number: 35J 716

This Mercer Model 35J left the Trenton factory as a civilized Raceabout wearing heavier coachwork. It is one of the desirable late 1913 Mercers (along with the 1914 models) fitted with an updated 4-speed transmission with the improved multiple-disc clutch.

This Mercer was once part of the legendary Harrah Automobile Collection. It was sold by Harrah in the mid-1970s to an individual, who commissioned a restoration to remove the heavy touring car bodywork and rebuilt the car to correct Raceabout specifications.

Upon completion, the car was shown at the 1976 HCCA National Tour where it was given best-of-show honors and won a special award for the most desirable car present. The car was inherited by the owner's son in 1984. Since then, it has been used in a number of prestigious tours including the Mozart Tour, the Modoc Tour, Baja 500s and many others.

Since its restoration in the 1970s, this car has been driven over 30,000 miles without any trouble. It has gone through three sets of tires and still capable of sustaining speeds well in excess of 75 mph. In recent years, the engine and transmission have been completely rebuilt, with the Brown & Lipe gearbox receiving new 2nd and 3rd gears.

The car is finished in the correct yellow and black livery. In 2008, this Model 33 Coupe with Dickey Seat was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA. Bidding failed to reach the vehicle's reserve, and the lot was left unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Runabout
Chassis number: 1186
Engine number: 954

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 Dan Vaughan

The Mercer Raceabout Model 35J T-head was constructed from 1913 through 1914. Under the hood was a 300 cubic-inch four-cylinder engine and mated to a Brown & Lipe gearbox. In 1911 and 1912, there were three speeds. Beginning in 1913, a four-speed unit was offered with a multiple-disc clutch. To improve the vehicle's handling characteristics, the drive was placed low in the frame. Mounted on the rear were dual spare tires.

Many of the T-Head Mercer's were taken from the showroom floor and driven straight to the track. All that was needed to have these cars ready for the track was the removal of the fenders, running boards, and lighting equipment. After the race, the cars were driven home, which made these one of the first mass-produced dual-purpose vehicles.

These were designed mostly for racing. They had a ladder frame with very little bodywork (only a hood and vestigial fenders). They had a 25-gallon gas tank mounted directly behind the two seats. There was little needed to prepare them for racing; some owners added a monocle windshield to provide mild protection from the elements and harsh roadways of the era.

It is hard to imagine that these were very advanced vehicles of their day, but they were. Their T-head engine offered 60 horsepower, and their finely-tuned gear ratios and four-speed transmission gave them a competitive edge over their rivals. Though the body and frame seemed minimalist and crude, it was lightweight and rugged. With no body, no starter, and a lack of amenities, these Speedsters weighed a mere 2300 pounds.

by Dan Vaughan