Mercer Type 35J Raceabout
The Mercer Type 35J Raceabout is an American Brass Era (1895 – 1915) automobile, widely considered one of the country's first true sports cars. Produced by the Mercer Automobile Company in Trenton, New Jersey, from 1911 to 1914, the 35J Raceabout was engineered for performance and racing success. While the term "supercar" didn't exist then, the Mercer Raceabout could be considered one of the first American supercars.
Key Characteristics
Who Was Behind Mercer?
The Mercer Automobile Company's origins are deeply intertwined with the industrial and financial power of two prominent New Jersey families, the Roeblings and the Kusers. Their story, as chronicled in Clifford W. Zink's book Mercer Magic, is a fascinating look at early American entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Predecessor: Walter Automobile Company
The story of Mercer begins with the Walter Automobile Company, founded by William Walter. Walter's company had been producing high-quality automobiles in New York City, but by 1909, he was in financial trouble. At this time, Washington A. Roebling II, a wealthy heir from the famous Roebling bridge-building dynasty, was friends with Walter and had an interest in automobiles. Seeing an opportunity, Washington Roebling II, along with other members of his family and the Kuser family, purchased the struggling company. They moved the factory into a vacant brewery in Hamilton, New Jersey, that was owned by the Kuser family.
Key People and Their Contributions
The Mercer Automobile Company was officially formed in 1909 and named after Mercer County, New Jersey. The people at the helm were a mix of engineering talent and business acumen:
An "Assembled" Car with a Difference
A key insight from Zink's research is that early Mercers were essentially "assembled" cars. However, this was not a negative label. The company sourced top-quality components from specialized suppliers, such as Brown-Lipe transmissions, Spicer driveshafts, and Parrish frames. The engineers at Mercer, particularly Porter, specified the designs and tolerances for these parts, ensuring the final product was a unified, high-quality machine. This allowed them to produce a nimble and durable car with a low center of gravity that was unparalleled for its time.
The book Mercer Magic is a definitive history of the company, written with input from Mercer collectors and the descendants of the founding families, and provides a wealth of detail on the car's racing glory and its place in American automotive history.
This video provides an excellent summary of the Mercer's history and its significance as an early American sports car.. The first Made in USA Supercar
The Mercer Automobile Company, though best known for the legendary Type 35J Raceabout, offered a more extensive line of vehicles throughout its 16-year history. While the performance-oriented models captured the public's imagination and racing headlines, Mercer also produced a range of touring cars and more conventional automobiles for its affluent clientele. The evolution of the Mercer lineup is a story of two distinct eras, defined by its chief engineers, Finley Robertson Porter and his successor, Eric Delling.
The Porter Era (1910–1914): The Brass Era Performance Car
Finley Robertson Porter's vision for Mercer was a simple, high-performance machine. The cars from this era are characterized by their T-head engines, minimal bodywork, and a singular focus on speed and durability.
The Delling Era (1915–1925): Refinement and a Move Toward Luxury
Finley Robertson Porter's departure in 1914 following a dispute with management marked a significant shift in Mercer's direction. His replacement, Eric Delling, took the company in a new direction, focusing on more modern and refined designs.
Although the company produced just over 5,000 vehicles in its 16-year run, the entire Mercer line, from the early Series 30 to the final Series 6, consistently represented a commitment to high-quality engineering and performance.
During the period of 1911 to 1914, the average working person's wage in the United States was a fraction of the cost of a high-performance car like the Mercer. The Mercer Automobile Company was targeting a very different demographic.
Average Working Person's Wage (1911-1914)
Statistics from the National Bureau of Economic Research and other historical sources show that wages varied significantly depending on the industry, skill level, and gender of the worker.
Cost of the Mercer Type 35J Raceabout
In stark contrast, the Mercer Type 35J Raceabout was an expensive luxury item for the wealthy.
$2,600 in 1913 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $85,000 today
Acknowledgements:
Pictures and Video courtesy of The Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, CA.
Make it a point to visit this outstanding automotive adventure.
Mercer Magic: Roeblings, Kusers, The Mercer Automobile Company and America's First Sports Car
By Clifford W. Zink, publisher Roebling Museum
Key Characteristics
- Engine: The heart of the Type 35J Raceabout was a powerful and durable T-head inline-four engine, designed by Finley Robertson Porter. With a displacement of around 300 cubic inches (just under 5 liters), it produced approximately 55-60 horsepower. For comparison, in 1913, the Indianapolis 500 race maximum engine displacement was reduced from 600 cubic inches (8.4 liters) to just 450 cubic inches (7.4 liters). The engine's design, including high-compression pistons and dual-spark ignition, allowed for remarkable performance. This was a significant output for the time, especially when a contemporary Ford Model T only produced about 20 hp.
- Performance: The car was guaranteed to reach a top speed of 70 mph, a staggering figure when most cars of the era struggled to hit 45 mph. Some models, especially those used in competition, were capable of speeds up to 100 mph. Its low center of gravity and well-balanced chassis gave it exceptional handling and cornering abilities, a revolutionary characteristic for its time.
- Design: The Raceabout was a stripped-down, two-seat speedster designed with a focus on function over luxury. It featured minimal bodywork, no doors, a raked steering column, and bucket seats. Features like fenders, running boards, and lights were designed to be quickly removable for racing. The cars were famously painted yellow with black striping, a color scheme often associated with the brand.
- Racing History: The Mercer Raceabout quickly made a name for itself on the racetrack. In its first year, it won five out of six races it entered, only losing the inaugural Indianapolis 500. It went on to win numerous races on dirt tracks and in hill climbs, establishing a fierce rivalry with the Stutz Bearcat.
- Legacy: The Type 35J Raceabout was an expensive car, costing around $2,500 in 1911 (about $85,000 today) —a price tag that catered to wealthy sportsmen. Surviving examples are highly sought after by collectors and are considered among the most valuable and historically significant American antique cars. The Mercer Raceabout cemented its place in automotive history as a pioneer of the American sports car, influencing generations of performance vehicles that followed.
Who Was Behind Mercer?
The Mercer Automobile Company's origins are deeply intertwined with the industrial and financial power of two prominent New Jersey families, the Roeblings and the Kusers. Their story, as chronicled in Clifford W. Zink's book Mercer Magic, is a fascinating look at early American entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Predecessor: Walter Automobile Company
The story of Mercer begins with the Walter Automobile Company, founded by William Walter. Walter's company had been producing high-quality automobiles in New York City, but by 1909, he was in financial trouble. At this time, Washington A. Roebling II, a wealthy heir from the famous Roebling bridge-building dynasty, was friends with Walter and had an interest in automobiles. Seeing an opportunity, Washington Roebling II, along with other members of his family and the Kuser family, purchased the struggling company. They moved the factory into a vacant brewery in Hamilton, New Jersey, that was owned by the Kuser family.
Key People and Their Contributions
The Mercer Automobile Company was officially formed in 1909 and named after Mercer County, New Jersey. The people at the helm were a mix of engineering talent and business acumen:
- Ferdinand Roebling: The son of John A. Roebling (of Brooklyn Bridge fame), Ferdinand became the company's president.
- Washington A. Roebling II: As general manager, he was the driving force behind the company's focus on high-performance cars. He was an avid amateur racer and is credited with the idea for the iconic Raceabout. Tragically, he died in the Titanic disaster in 1912.
- John L. Kuser: As secretary-treasurer, he and his family, who had made their fortune in banking and brewing, handled the financial aspects of the business.
- Finley Robertson Porter: A talented, self-taught engineer, Porter was the designer of the Type 35 Raceabout and its groundbreaking T-head engine. His engineering skill was crucial to the car's performance and racing success.
- Eric H. Delling: Porter's successor, Delling, redesigned the Raceabout after 1914. His new L-head engine and more practical features like doors and windshields marked a shift away from the purely spartan design of the original.
An "Assembled" Car with a Difference
A key insight from Zink's research is that early Mercers were essentially "assembled" cars. However, this was not a negative label. The company sourced top-quality components from specialized suppliers, such as Brown-Lipe transmissions, Spicer driveshafts, and Parrish frames. The engineers at Mercer, particularly Porter, specified the designs and tolerances for these parts, ensuring the final product was a unified, high-quality machine. This allowed them to produce a nimble and durable car with a low center of gravity that was unparalleled for its time.
The book Mercer Magic is a definitive history of the company, written with input from Mercer collectors and the descendants of the founding families, and provides a wealth of detail on the car's racing glory and its place in American automotive history.
This video provides an excellent summary of the Mercer's history and its significance as an early American sports car.. The first Made in USA Supercar
The Mercer Automobile Company, though best known for the legendary Type 35J Raceabout, offered a more extensive line of vehicles throughout its 16-year history. While the performance-oriented models captured the public's imagination and racing headlines, Mercer also produced a range of touring cars and more conventional automobiles for its affluent clientele. The evolution of the Mercer lineup is a story of two distinct eras, defined by its chief engineers, Finley Robertson Porter and his successor, Eric Delling.
The Porter Era (1910–1914): The Brass Era Performance Car
Finley Robertson Porter's vision for Mercer was a simple, high-performance machine. The cars from this era are characterized by their T-head engines, minimal bodywork, and a singular focus on speed and durability.
- Mercer Series 30 (1910): The company's first year of production saw the introduction of the Series 30. This model was a conventional car for its time, powered by a 30-horsepower, L-head, four-cylinder Beaver engine sourced from an outside supplier. It was available in several body styles, including a Touring Car, a Toy Tonneau, and a Speedster. The Series 30 sold well, establishing the company as a producer of high-quality vehicles.
- Mercer Series 35 (1911–1914): This is the lineup that made Mercer famous. Porter designed a new, more powerful T-head engine that produced around 55-60 horsepower from 300 cubic inches. This engine powered all of the Series 35 models and became the heart of the Mercer legend.
- Type 35J Raceabout: The most famous of the Mercer models, the Raceabout was a minimalist, two-seat speedster designed for racing. It had no doors, a simple cowl, and removable fenders and lights, making it the quintessential "gentleman's racer." It was guaranteed to reach a speed of 70 mph, which was an extraordinary claim at the time.
- Runabout: A slightly more civilized version of the Raceabout, the Runabout featured doors and a more enclosed body style. While still a sporty two-seater, it was intended for road use rather than purely for the racetrack.
- Touring and Toy Tonneau: Mercer also offered larger, four- and five-passenger touring cars on a longer wheelbase, powered by the same T-head engine. These were practical, family-friendly vehicles that maintained the brand's reputation for engineering quality and performance.
The Delling Era (1915–1925): Refinement and a Move Toward Luxury
Finley Robertson Porter's departure in 1914 following a dispute with management marked a significant shift in Mercer's direction. His replacement, Eric Delling, took the company in a new direction, focusing on more modern and refined designs.
- Mercer Series 22/70 (1915–1922): Delling's main contribution was a new L-head engine. While not as iconic as Porter's T-head, Delling's engine was a powerful, refined, and more cost-effective design. It produced around 70 horsepower, giving the new models excellent performance. The Series 22/70 cars were more conventional in appearance, with features like windshields, doors, and a more sophisticated chassis. The Raceabout and Runabout names continued, but the cars were now more practical, with longer wheelbases and a more modern look.
- Mercer Series 5 and 6 (1920–1925): The final years of the Mercer Automobile Company were marked by financial difficulties and a new corporate structure after a Wall Street syndicate acquired the company. The Series 5 and 6 models were an attempt to stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.
- Series 5: This series, which was the final version of the Delling-designed cars, continued to offer various body styles, including the Raceabout.
- Series 6: This was a final attempt to revive the company. Introduced in 1923, it featured a new six-cylinder engine and, in 1924, introduced front brakes—a significant safety innovation for the time. Despite these improvements, the company's financial struggles were too great, and the final Mercer was produced in 1925.
Although the company produced just over 5,000 vehicles in its 16-year run, the entire Mercer line, from the early Series 30 to the final Series 6, consistently represented a commitment to high-quality engineering and performance.
During the period of 1911 to 1914, the average working person's wage in the United States was a fraction of the cost of a high-performance car like the Mercer. The Mercer Automobile Company was targeting a very different demographic.
Average Working Person's Wage (1911-1914)
Statistics from the National Bureau of Economic Research and other historical sources show that wages varied significantly depending on the industry, skill level, and gender of the worker.
- Average Annual Wage: The median household income in the United States around 1914 was approximately $700.
- Average Hourly Wage: In the manufacturing sector, which employed a large portion of the working class, a full-time worker could expect to earn around $0.20 to $0.25 per hour. This translates to a weekly wage of about $10 to $12 for a 50-hour work week.
- Wage Disparity: Wages were not uniform. For example, a skilled male laborer like a bricklayer might earn up to $0.50 per hour, while a female teacher might make about half of what a male clerk earned annually.
Cost of the Mercer Type 35J Raceabout
In stark contrast, the Mercer Type 35J Raceabout was an expensive luxury item for the wealthy.
- List Price: The Mercer Type 35J Raceabout cost around $2,600 in 1913.
- Comparison: This price tag was more than three times the median household income for a year.
A Ford Model T, which was aimed at the average consumer, was priced at less than $1,000 during this same period, making it a more accessible form of transportation. In 1910, a Model T Touring was $1000 and a runabout was $900. By 1914, the Touring was $490 and the runabout was $440.
$2,600 in 1913 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $85,000 today
Acknowledgements:
Pictures and Video courtesy of The Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, CA.
Make it a point to visit this outstanding automotive adventure.
Mercer Magic: Roeblings, Kusers, The Mercer Automobile Company and America's First Sports Car
By Clifford W. Zink, publisher Roebling Museum
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