1923 Mercer Series 6 Raceabout

Spotted this interesting Mercer series 6 Raceabout on Gumtree NZ - a very nice example of these early and very successful vintage race cars. The car was asking $250,000 at the time of the advertisement, and the seller made the following comments:

1923 Mercer Series 6 Raceabout Manufactured in Trenton, New Jersey, USA by Roebling Brothers, Builders of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. This car is built from the remains of the car which was purportedly driven to Victory in the NZ Motor Cup in 1924 by Howard Nattrass.

The car again appeared in the 1926 Motor Cup but did not finish as it suffered a common problem that the Rochester Engines had, with a big end bolt stretching and breaking throwing a conrod out the right side of the block, the repair of this is still visible. At this time we believe that the distinctive radiator cowl had been removed, possibly to prevent overheating with better air flow.

Originally prepared by Walter Haines, Engineer and Race driver to Participate at Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

The AAAC racing plaque indicates it is car #1 and a pre-production 6 cylinder Mercer #1 gained 4th place in 1922 driven by Haines. Series 6 Production started in 1923. There are currently less than 100 known surviving Mercers in the world, only 13 (and 4 drivable) of these Series 6, manufactured between 1923 & 1926. From Extensive research we believe that only 3 Mercer’s have been imported to NZ, this was the first, #2 was imported in 1928 from Australia and raced in the NZ Motor Cup by Hugh Carter. The remains of this car was owned by the late Ron Roycroft. The third again from Australia in 1996 by us to provide the balance of original parts to complete this car, the remains of that car are now in Canada to assist completing another car.

Specifications Mercer Series 6 Engine 6 Cylinder Capacity 350 cu in 5600cc Bore 3 7/8” 98mm Stroke 5” 127mm Wheelbase 134” 3.404m