phoenix

one more!

and another pic!

Hello Again! I finally made the trip with the camera, and brought back some digital photos! They're all a bit big to post here, so I've downsized a few, and if anyone wants the rest just let me know. After getting the car out from storage, and wedging my head into every nook and crany I could find, Neither my dad or I could find a chassis number! We did find other numbers though, and one Chevrolet insignia on the bellhousing. The chassis and driveline all mate together perfectly, no cuts, grinds or welds. All the chassis rivets are untouched. All the casting numbers on the engine, gearbox and diff all seem to be of similar sequence and casting style, so to our limited knowledge it's a Chevrolet of some sort, dressed up to look half like a Mercer to fool the untrained eye. It had us going! Every book or article we have ever found has led us to believe it was a Mercer Raceabout, but now with the information you guys have given us, and alot closer inspection, we have no idea what it is! Half Mercer, half Chevrolet, which would explain the "mercrolet" badge on the radiator. After all the confused looks and scratched heads, we decided to clean the plugs, top up the fluids, charge the 6 volt battery in the floor, fill and prime the fuel system, and nudge the crank handle. Off she went. We spent the rest of the day driving her around, and checking the operation of the fuel, brakes, steering, oiling etc. We had a ball driving around in a car that somebody put alot of effort into modifying. Pity it's not a Mercer, but we still dont know what it used to be!

Thanks again. I'll get the photos!

I've just been talking to my dad again, who has just looked at the car for me, and we've been talking about the differences, and now that you mention it, there are quite a few differences. Maybe it's an imitation of a Raceabout? What is a Runabout? Where the Stutz's similar enough to imitate a Mercer? Because the more I compare (from photos), the less original it looks! Maybe I've been wasting everyones time? Sorry if I have! One thing for sure is, there is a metal badge on the radiator that says "Mercer" and also a smaller badge at the bottom of the radiator that says "Trenton New Jersey, USA". It's probably a mercer radiator on a different car? I'll get down there and photograph it I think!

Thanks for all of that! It's interesting to hear the differences, as I have no idea! Maybe it has been modified. I've just spoken to my dad and we've organised to get it on the hoist and have a good look over! Thanks again!

Modifications? Can you tell that it's had some? I know some parts are missing, but I thought the rest was reasonably original! Just curious

Here's another low quality photo!

Thanks all, I really didn't expect to get any replies. When I mention the word Mercer, most people looked stumped, but I guess being in Australia doesn't help! Thanks for the leads, I will be diving into them soon! 1937hd45, your assumption is right, that is not the actual car. I have found some old photo's of it and scanned them in, but they're pretty poor quality. The car is actually stored away, but I'll be seeing it again soon with the digital camera.

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