The 1913 Mercer Type 35j «Raceabout» will be featured at Bonhams’ upcoming “The Amelia Island Auction” that will be held on March 7, 2019, in Amelia Island, Florida. This car forms one of the top lots at the auction with a pre-auction estimate of US$ 800,000 - 1,000,000 and It will be offered in lot 261 at the auction. “The Mercer Type 35 Raceabout of 1911-14 is the most legendary American automobile of the Brass Era and is wildly considered to be the U.S.'s original sports car, introduced a year prior to its arch competitor, the Stutz Bear Cat. Essentially a roadgoing automobile that could also be successfully raced as-is, it featured a superbly engineered T-head 4-cylinder engine, with blocks cast in pairs and mounted on an aluminum crankcase, and an exceptionally well-designed and balanced chassis. Showing the skill of engineer Finley Robertson Porter, its handling and drivability were far ahead of its time, nimble and sprightly, while the top speed was a genuine 100 mph – «the magic century.» Consider that a biplane of the era could go about 45 mph and a crack express train about 60 mph; this was not only one of the fastest automobiles in the world, but the fastest way to travel, period,” states the auction house. Some of the major details as mentioned by Bonhams include its 301ci T-Head Inline 4-cylinder engine; 3-Speed Manual Transmission; Front and Rear Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs; Hartford Friction-Type Shock Absorbers and Rear-Wheel Drum Brakes. This car is a legendary American sports car and it is offered from the Don C. Boulton Collection. It has an outstanding handling and performance for its time and it is also known for its high-quality restoration by Stu Laidlaw. The auction house further mentions the major highlighting features of this car and comments in their press release, “Fit, finish, and detail throughout is superb, with the paintwork and upholstery still in fine overall condition. Rushmont Searchlight headlamps, fed by a Prestolite acetylene tank, are joined by beautiful wooden wheels, painted Mercer Yellow with black striping, elegant Dietz two-tiered brass sidelights, and a wonderfully named Dietz Dainty taillamp. A correct Mercer-badged Boyce Motometer crowns the radiator, while the dashboard carries a Warner Auto-Meter combination gauge and a switch for the Bosch magneto. The engine bay remains impressive as it did in 1912, and it even has a proper Fletchter carburetor, and of course a starter added for ease of use.” https://www.blouinartinfo.com/              Founder: Louise Blouin Read more