[Mercer Series 6 Six Cylinder Question]

I am not good at attaching photos. They are too large. Anyone who wants a photo update

send me an email (jcrow22006@aol.com). Engine has run about ten hours in stand and

is now in car. With luck will test drive tomorrow. We don't own these cars but are really

only temporary caretakers. I appreciate the help from everyone on this site. Maybe we saved

another one.

[Mercer Series 6 Six Cylinder Question]

Not sure if there is any interest, but here is Boyle car progress report. Still expect car to be ready to drive the 1500 mile Pebble Beach Motoring Classic from Seattle to Pebble in early August.

Chassis is pretty much done. Most body work done and being painted. Will start engine assembly soon. Beautiful new rods and pistons cut by firm in Nevada that builds NASCAR engines and John Force dragsters. Now that design work done will make available to any other series six owners. Shop is very reasonable, and design work I paid for is free to you.

Need help with correct replacement cowl (body) tag. Looking to buy a couple of hides of black leather with proper graining.

Would attach photos, but they seem to exceed size limits for the forum. Tell me what to do and I will attach those.

[Mystery part Out of place]

More on top pictured by "Trained Monkey". It does not look like the Roadster top has the

elbow that is pictured in the top in question. No purpose for elbow there as top arm could

simply rotate forward and backward in solid fashion. Elbow is really only needed in a

configuration such as a raceabout.

[59 and 60 Lincoln Cont converts]

I have a number of very nice original convertibles that I am going to sell.

I have owned most of these cars for over twenty five years. They have

been stored in a nice dry warehouse for the last five years or so. They

will all need fresh batteries, gas, oil and service. The first group includes

a 59 Lincoln Cont. convert and a 1960 Lincoln Cont. convert. They are both

white with red leather. Both have original interiors. I am the second owner

of the 59, which has about seventy five thousand miles. The 60 has about

fifty five thousand miles. I purchased these cars when I was able to get

very nice original cars. I have a number of more expensive cars and it

serves no purpose for me to continue to store these great cars. I would

like $25,000 each but I will make a deal for the two. These cars are

located in California, about 50 miles east of San Francisco.

[Mercer Series 6 Six Cylinder Question]

Here is the Boyle raceabout as it now starts back together

[Mystery part Out of place]

If I can figure out how to attach, I should have a photo showing that same

car with the "plug" removed so that you can see threads and two shots of

the rod that attaches to each side of the windshield and holds a top. These are from the series five car and a certainly factory installed for holding a top in place.

[Mercer Series 6 Six Cylinder Question]

Interesting. Well they were certainly correct.

[Mystery part Out of place]

Well, I need to drop in my two cents. I hope it helps. I am admittedly a newbie to Mercers

(I did have a 15 touring some years ago). I am currently well into the restoration of the

Boyle raceabout.

I have looked very carefully at the Martindale raceabout, which appears to have original

upholstry. On the upholstry section that folds over the body is a nickle plug that is slightly larger than the other snaps. That plug screws out to reveal a place to screw in a top holder

of some sort. On the inside, under the original upholstry is the factory brace. On each side

of the windshield frame are factory clamps designed to hold in place a thin rod that is formed

at the top to hold a top in place. I am convinced that these are factory items designed to

hold a top.

I have seen other photos of L-head raceabouts and sixth series cars that show these same

type of windshield pieces in place. They serve no other purpose other than hold a top.

The Boyle car has these same type of rods that cinch into the windshield uprights. However,

at first I saw no sign of a place for the mounting piece on the body sides. HOWEVER, when we

stripped the body we found the place where both of these mounting holes were filled in. We

also found the markings on the inside of both sides where the support or bracket had been

mounted. There is no doubt in my mind that this car had factory provisions for a top.

As to another minor matter. I assume that early cars had staggered seating, at least in

part to protect the passenger from serious face damage. As the gearshift lever was

located only a few inches to the left of the edge of the driver's seat, without moving the

passenger backward, they would be well with in the driver's shift pattern. The passenger

was also provided a footrest, at least on the L-head cars.

The sixth series cars had the shift lever moved up under the dash area and well away from

the passenger. I do know how long it took Mercer to eliminate the staggered seats

in favor of parallel seats, but they did so by the last car. When the original Boyle floorboards

were examined, it was clear that they showed no evidence of a footrest. When the body was

removed and turned upside down, it showed original wood in place, which made clear

that this car (at least) was built with parallel seats from new.

[Mercer Series 6 Six Cylinder Question]

Well, you certainly have a great memory. The rear end is there as we speak. Am a little confused because the information all suggests that the raceabout had a 3.22 to 1 ratio.

This car had the 3.77 that belonged in the sport touring. Yet, the rear unit had "raceabout"

embossed on it. I figured that the gears had just been changed sometime in its life. However,

REMCO has reported that the unit will not accomodate 3.22 gears. Largest that will

fit is about 3.44.

Does anyone have experience with the the sixth series gear ratios and what works best?

The car is coming along quite well. Chassis is painted and parts are going on. Body completely

redone and was tested for fit on the frame today. Still many parts to remake, restore,

and or refinish. But lots of questions about the history of this car have now been answered.

Seats were parallel from the factory. T head turtle back came on the car from factory.

Oil/gas tank did not come on car originally. Neither did pump on side (anyone need one?).

Extended cowl was original to car. Alloy firewall covered the original and is now gone. Car and chassis was yellow from factory. And...those four wheel brakes are original (yeah!!).

Everyone's help is so appreciated. But we will need much more.

[Mercer Series 6 Six Cylinder Question]

Have heard that there were some ring and pinion gears made for raceabouts several years ago. Does anybody remember these? Are there any left anywhere?

[Mercer Series 6 Six Cylinder Question]

Hey Raceabout, thanks for that picture, but is actually not this car. Quite similar in that they

both have an extended hood. The help on this forum has been wonderful. I love those old

photos. They help so much.

The latest visit and examination of the gas tank confirm that it started life as a gray color

and was not on the Boyle car from the factory. The turtle back has also been modified ever so slightly from it early shape to accept this gas tank. So we will be making a correct tank.

We have confirmed the existence of factory top supports and factory parts that went on the

windshield to accept the front of the top. I have now seen proof on two different raceabouts

of factory (not after market) tops.

The body is coming along well. The sheet metal has turned out to be reasonably good.

Any opinions on nickle or paint for the radiator shell? Guess it could have been either way.

Was able to locate 6 new tires with fairly correct original tread.

Does anyone know if the series 5 raceabout rear end is the same as the series 6?

I doubt it. The Boyle car has the correct housing but has the mid range ring and pinion.

It should be 3.22 to 1 and is now 3.77 to 1. Any comments as to how the 3.77 gears

do with the six cylinder? My rough calculations suggest that the 3.22 would result

in a road speed of 60mph at 2000 rpms.

Again, thanks for the great help. Oh, still need color photos of the engine.

[Mercer Series 6 Six Cylinder Question]

Thanks for the pictures. I will be in Reno tomorrow looking at the progress and

report.

[Mercer Series 6 Six Cylinder Question]

Boyle update:

Still need to test first paint on gas tank. But, tank appears to be early T head tank.

Certainly many feel that this gas tank, with its heavy guage metal was put on the car

sometime between 1925 and 1941. I have no opinion, yet. It seems odd that the only

gas tank left when this car was built was a 12 year old one. And yet there certainly are

other examples that this car was put together from what Mercer had left. I also have

a copy of a photo of another 6 series raceabout that is not the the Boyle car that itself

has a two filler gas tank.

We will examine the tank mounting area on the turtle back, which we know came on this car.

We will also carefully determine the original paint and compare it to the other paint.

Testing also shows the chassis was yellow! Boy thats going to be tough to keep clean.

You are correct, the car was maroon in 1941 and it remained that way until 1961 when

it was "restored".

The daughter of the 1941- 1957? owner remembers that the dash was "chromed" and that

it made the car tough to drive at night. My guess is that the dash was originally wood grained,

but not yet certain. Nevertheless, her dad got permission to remove some leather

from a bus in a junkyard, and they covered the dash and her mother made new seat

cushions from it.

[Mercer Series 6 Six Cylinder Question]

Update on "Boyle" car. Seriously appreciate all the help. Really great. This has become somewhat of a community project.

Have carefully examined car with body completely off. Had metal experts and paint experts with me. The original wood remains in the body. Removal of the alloy firewall revealed the

orginal firewall. The wood framing for the parallel seats is in tack. The car had parallel seats

from new. The extended cowl has its original wood in place and came that way from factory.

Discovered original yellow paint on cowl, rear turtle back and chassis. It tests the same.

So..... the cowl and turtle back came on the car from factory. Right rear fender probably off

another car. Discovered original holes (welded up) for factory top, along with windshield clips for the same. Have seen similar deails on the great original Martindale car. Have original dash which was metal (probably wood grained) , in spite of later replacement of wood.

Talked to 74 year old daughter of 1941 owner, who remembered a number of important

items. Back storage compartment was on car from new, but top pof it was later replacement.

Rear end has embossed "raceabout" in two places, but ring and pinion are 3.77 for sporting.

SO..... I need ring and pinion 3.26 to 1 ( or close). Wonder if it fit any other car.

Engine out, all apart and not too bad.

Making rods, repairing cam followers and oil pump.

Hate that body AND chassis was yellow. Would love another color, but will put it back like it was. Correct wheels being made.

Body metal reasonably good. Some rot at bottom near sills.

Chassis had serial number on right rear hanger.

Still need some small parts too. Doing analysis of gas tank now,

which appears to have some early and some late parts. Will answer

any questions or provide any photos that anbody wants. Shop is

doing a great, detailed job and is documenting every step.

Again invite comments, suggestions, even critical ones.

Johnny

[Mercer Series 6 Six Cylinder Question]

Ivan,

Thank you for your comments. Obviously parallel seats are critical, otherwise the storage compartment could not be original, because it would not fit. I will examine the floorboards carefully for indications of where, if anywhere. the passenger foot support was mounted originally. That will tell a lot about the seats.

We have the body off and we will be able to look for old mounting areas and other clues

of original sheetmetal. I was aware of dashboard changes and steering column aiming too far inboard.

I have become very familiar with the nice original Martindale car, too.

There is a brace for the dashboard where it should mount, but it appears cut. Am concerned that the back storage compartment door appears backward and the area has no flooring. Very un Mercer like. The turtle back door also will not clear the spare tire bracket, but that may be a problem with the spare, not non original sheet metal.

The extended cowl has also apparently caused changes to the gearshift and brake handle, and they seem quite poorly done. Also poorer than Mercer would do them.

I assume the right side pump was a Boyle add on.

I will take every opportunity to discover as much as I can. I will supply any numbers or

details I discover. I have no particular point of view other than to return the car to the

best condition possible and configured as the facts show it was when first delivered.

Of course the engine will be built up from the inside out without shortcuts. I understand that

we are short a radiator since the one in the car is shot. The core from England is

slow coming, so am looking for ideas there. I also need very detailed and correct series

6 engine and engine compartment photos.

Thanks so much for your comments. No of us own these cars, we are only caretakers.

[Mercer Series 6 Six Cylinder Question]

I have ended up with the Boyle raceabout. I would like to do as accurate a restoration as

possible. I have communicated with John Hancox, Fred Hoch and Stan Smith. I solicit

any information, ideas, or recommendations you may have on this car. It is in the shop

and is work is underway. We hope to have it done for the get together at Pebble Beach.

Am particularly interested in your view of what may have been original on this car.

John 925-963-5835/ jcrow22006@aol.com

[Where to buy tarnite]

Thank you, but Ace no longer sells.

Johnny

[Where to buy tarnite]

Does anyone know where to buy Tarnite brass polish?

thank you,

Johnny