1921 Mercer Model 22-70 Series 5 Runabout
Chassis no. 4758
298ci Side Valve Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Carburetor
Approximately 80bhp at 4,750rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs Front and Rear
2-Wheel Drum Brakes

*America's first sportscar brand
*Definitive specification Series 5 Mercer
*Freshly restored and a wonderful livery
*CCCA Full Classic®

MERCER

If ever there was object, irrefutable proof that the concept of the sports car originated in the United States it is the Mercer Raceabout. First built in 1911, Mercer's Raceabout, with its thundering T-head four-cylinder engine, standard exhaust cutout, round bolster tank, monocle windshield and rudimentary seating for only a driver and a brave passenger, was the first automobile successfully built in series for the sole purpose of going fast and winning races.

Between 1911 and 1915 the Roebling brothers (whose father had designed and built the Brooklyn Bridge) and their engineer Finley Robertson Porter built some 800 Raceabouts which their customers could take straight from the factory to the racetrack with a good chance of winning and an even better chance of finishing well. Barney Oldfield and Ralph de Palma raced Mercers. Spencer Wishart bought one, drove it right to a dirt track in Columbus, Ohio and won the 200-mile feature. He set four dirt-track records in the process.

Mercer continued to build T-head, four-cylinder cars through 1914, then introduced a new line of L-head fours designed by Eric H. Deiling. When the Roeblings died within a year of each other 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. Hare proceeded to add Locomobile and Simplex-Crane to the company which, in the post WWI recession, proved to be more distraction than his management skills could handle. By 1921 control of Mercer was back in the hands of the founding families.

Through it all Mercer continued to build high quality, fast cars in its Trenton, New Jersey factory (in Mercer County, from which it took its name.) Production estimates vary, but none exceed 1,000 per year and some sources believe fewer than 5,000 Mercers in all were built between its inception in 1911 and the end of production in 1924.

The Deiling-designed Mercers introduced in 1915 were powered by a 298 cubic inch side-valve four-cylinder engine with single ignition and drove through a 4-speed transmission. The 3 3/4' bore engine was rated 22.5 NACC horsepower and its earliest versions were said to make 70 brake horsepower. Later Mercers made 80 bhp. Brakes were installed only on the rear wheels, while suspension employed solid axles at both ends, suspended from semi-elliptical leaf springs. Deiling was one of the first American designers to add Houdaille lever action friction shock absorbers to the suspension, a feature that vividly illustrates his desire to enhance Mercers' ride, comfort and handling.

THE CAR OFFERED

This freshly restored 22-70 has been in current ownership since the late 2000s. It was acquired as a complete car, but one needing total restoration. Consuming several years and over $100,000, the car was beautifully restored and refinished to the high standard in which it is presented today. The coachwork is of recent construction but of very high quality, and the owner elected to finish it smartly in jet black. Plated items have been recently refinished in high quality nickel to provide an appealing contrast. The quality black paint complements the sleek and sporty body brilliantly, and lack of windshield further emphasizes the rakish look of this high-performance Mercer. Since its restoration, the owner has used the car sparingly, though it has primarily been on display, so the restoration has been very well preserved.

The Mercer is the definitive American sporting car of its period, prized by collectors, so seldom do freshly restored examples come to market. Marvelous to drive and wonderful to look at the Mercers of this era are indeed truly special motorcars.