100mph in 1911: Time For Coffee?

Back to basics driving on a whole new level with RM's latest auction lot

'Racing car for the road' is a phrase that all too often gets attributed to a car not really deserving of the title. For this Mercer Type 35R Raceabout though, it easily applies.

A what you say? We hadn't heard of the Mercer either before RM's video but it seems the company endured a short but tumultuous history in the early 20th century. The Type 35R made the case for relatively low displacement and mass over 100 years ago, as well as being the car you could drive to and from the circuit. At the first Indy 500 two Mercers were the smallest-engined cars to finish. Alright, 301 cubic inches (5.0-litres) isn't exactly tiny but given it beat other cars running with 589 and 520 cubic-inch motors that's a fair achievement. Apparently the lights were then placed back on the two Mercers and then driven home. From the Indy 500.

This car, chassis number 35-R-354, was part of Henry Austin Clark Junior's legendary collection. RM's video features an interview with his son Hal who is predictably enthusiastic about the car's simplicity and fascinating past.

The Mercer will be sold at RM's Monterey auction next month with an estimate of $2.5-3.5m. This enlightening video and the hugely detailed bio should explain just why it's so intriguing.

See here.