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1913 Mercer Raceabout

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phoenix

phoenix

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Hello all. I have a 1913 Mercer Raceabout 35J, which has been in the family for about 35 years. I am interested in finding any information about these vehicles, as the information I currently have is very limited. I know it is either a 1912 or 1913 model because it is a 3 speed, and the 4 speeds were used in the 1914 and 1915 model. I believe that when they were raced, the guards and top spot light were removed, which is what this one is missing, and it also has a faint number painted on the radiator. Hopefully someone know's about these, and any information or suggestions is appreciated!
Cheers
 
You're serious? You own a Mercer Raceabout?

This is really the first American sports car. It is a historically significant, rare and valuable car.

I would suggets that you seek the services of a professional antique auto evaluator (in fact, I'd hire two seperate people, just to be sure). It will be well worth the money. The curator of an automotive museum may be able to help you.
Meanwhile, keep the car in a safe and secure place.
Due to the rarity and value of this car, I would not drive the car on public roads, even if it runs....it's not worth the risk of damaging it.

The Mercer Raceabout was built in Mercer Country, New Jersey, USA. I used to live right down the street from the old Mercer factory. The owners of the company were the Roeblings, who were very well known for building the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City (among many other things). The overall design is considered to be sturdy yet lightweight (in terms of "Brass Era" cars). Many were fitted with a monocle windshield for road use.

Do not paint or change anything on the car...cleaning up that "faded number" (or anything else) may actually reduce it's value.

Her is a page with some more info:
https://www.chandlerwheels.com/autos/auto_pages/1911_mercer_raceabout.html

Let me repeat for emphasis....even if it's missing a few pieces here and there and even if it does not run, the car is very rare and valuable!. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
G'luck!
 
Thats amazing that you have a mercer raceabout. Does it run? How long have you had it? How did you get it? Do you have any pictures of it? Sorry I won't be alot of help with providing information, but I think Nial has probably set you on the right track. Thats just about the coolest car anyone could have. I can't wait to hear more about it.
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif Nial has certainly given you good information. The car is a very important one, and really is very valuable. Since it's in Australia I would assume it must have been raced there. Be interesting to find out. I believe that one sold at auction for $1,022,000 US. That really IS a valuable old car!
 
Actually the Mercers are worth very little now. At best you could probably only get $2000 Canadian tops. I will offer $4000 US though for the car.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bruce
 
Thanks everyone!!! Yes I'm serious. No joke. My dad found it about 35 years ago on an old country farm and fell in love with it. How it is now is exactly the same way he found it. The people that owned it previously new nothing about it or it's history, and information on Mercers in Australia is non existant.
It does run and drive, but hasn't had either for a good 10 years. I've just got hold of a new 6 volt battery for it that fits in the floor well, and will be visiting her soon, as she's currently locked away in storage.
I've scanned in some old photos of her, but they're pretty poor quality, so I'll take the digital camera with me next time!
 

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Here's another low quality pic!
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

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[ QUOTE ]
Here's another low quality pic!
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Welcome to the forum, phoenix! I'd say you win the prize for the most unusual/rare car on the forum! That is quite a prize you have there!

Basil
 
Phoenix,

If I flew out to Australia this summer would you let me drive it?
 
My dad is the only one who has driven it, and I'm still waiting for my turn! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Darn that sounded like a great vacation too. Fly half way around the world, and drive a car for 30 minutes. Oh and I guess you could see the sites in Australia too, but who would car after an experiance like that.
 
Wow!! I just found a photo of one online - it looks AWESOME! Is it difficult to find parts for? You are very lucky to have such a beautiful vehicle. I love old cars. It's like I said before - they just don't make 'em like they used to!
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Last month there was a program on a local channel about the origins of Corona, California and the races they held there in the teens. They brought out two old cars to reinact the races, one of which was a Mercer Raceabout. It was great fun to watch. Still have it on the DVR. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Last month there was a program on a local channel about the origins of Corona, California and the races they held there in the teens. They brought out two old cars to reinact the races, one of which was a Mercer Raceabout. It was great fun to watch. Still have it on the DVR. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]Was that the show Huell Howser did?

If it was, I loved it.

If it was a different show don't erase it, I'll be dropping by soon. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif


PC.
 
Hello again. I've have slowly dig up some information on this car, and it doesn't look original /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif . Now I don't know what it is. It's definately a Mercer, but according to some Mercer buffs, it may be a Mercer Runabout that has been modified to look like a Raceabout. It's getting quite confusing. I'll be getting some fresh photos of it soon, and maybe someone out there will be able to help me identify exactly what it is!
 
phoenix,

Have you been able to get to the car's the manufacturer data plate? If you don't know where on the car to look the Mercer buffs should be able to tell you.


Steve_S,

That show got me thinking about doing an LBC cruise, a tour of historical So Cal racetracks. Grand avenue, Corona and Orange County International Raceway (was where the Irvine Spectrum is) are pretty close together. The Santa Ana Airport is near them too. Maybe start at the beach an end up on Grand for lunch.

The sites of Riverside International Raceway, Ontario Motor Speedway, Ascot Park and Lyons Dragstrip are theoretically all within a day's drive but it would a very long day in the saddle.


PC. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
Hello again. I have some fresh photos of the mystery car I thought you'd all like to see! I have found some part numbers cast into the driveline components which cross refference to Chevrolet, so now I have absolutely no idea what it was originally!
 

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