1920 Mercer Model 22-70 Series 5 Raceabout Conversion
- Engine
- 298 cu in side-valve inline-four, single carburetor, approx. 80 bhp at 4,750 rpm
- Colour
- Red over primrose yellow (earlier layer visible beneath)
A 1920 Mercer Model 22-70 Series 5, originally built as a Sporting model and professionally converted to Raceabout configuration by an aircraft company in the 1940s, this car retains its complete Mercer mechanical specification and its original patina. It passed through notable collections including those of William Harrah and Ohio collector Al Ferrara, with a restoration carried out in 1953 assisted by well-known Mercer specialists. A CCCA Full Classic, it represents the refined second-generation Mercer Raceabout lineage.
Ownership
- 2022-09-30Auction saleSold US$240,000
- → 1963-12-01InheritanceMrs. William Hoffmanfull documentation
West Islip, New York resident; sold the vehicle to the Harrah organisation after documented negotiations; archival correspondence survives.
- 1963-12-01 → 1985Private saleWilliam Harrah Collectionfull documentation
Held for roughly 22 years; internal records describe condition grading and detail changes made, including recolouring the upholstery; car was displayed within the collection.
- 1985 → 2009AuctionAl Ferrarafull documentation
Prominent Ohio collector whose holdings included notable vehicles such as the Clark Gable Duesenberg SSJ; retained the car for approximately 24 years before selling to the consignor's family.
- 2009 →Private saleCurrent owner's familypartial documentation
Acquired after years of informal approaches to Ferrara; the car has been shown periodically and maintained in its well-patinated original condition.
- Date unknownAircraft company (identity unknown)partial documentation
Converted the vehicle from a Sporting model body to Raceabout configuration sometime during the 1940s; the technical components remained original Mercer.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownDr. Paul W. Morganpartial documentation
Listed as custodian in a 1951 roster of surviving Mercer vehicles; duration of ownership not recorded.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownLes Taylorpartial documentation
Hartford, Connecticut resident; identified as the owner preceding the Hoffman family, per correspondence from Mrs. Hoffman.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMr. William Hoffmanpartial documentation
The car was restored in 1953 with help from several period specialists during this ownership; it passed to his widow upon his death.
Competition
- 2009Mercer Reunion
Exhibited at the marque gathering shortly after passing to the current owner's family.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1953Restoration
A restoration was carried out with contributions from noted period specialists Joe Murchio, Vince Galloni, and Ralph Buckley.
Work was initiated during the Hoffman ownership; details come from Mrs. Hoffman's correspondence with the Harrah acquisitions team.
- —ModificationUnidentified aircraft company
Car was converted from its original Sporting body configuration to Raceabout format by an aircraft company; all mechanical components retained their Mercer specification.
Conversion took place during the 1940s.
- —Maintenance
Upholstery was re-dyed from red to black during the car's time in the Harrah Collection.
Confirmed by internal Harrah records; original 1950s upholstery otherwise survives.
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