The L-head Mercer Raceabout, built from 1915 to 1923, was equipped with notable features such as staggered semi-bucket seats, lightweight coachwork, and clamshell fenders. For the sporting driver, there was no other American car available at the time that gave the same thrill as a Mercer Raceabout on a country road.

This spectacular Series 5 Raceabout found its way to Vince Galloni’s Lincoln Garage in Trenton, in 1932. Galloni had worked at the Mercer factory since its inception and specialized in the care of Mercer automobiles through the 1950s. Galloni acquired the lightly used Raceabout through a mechanic’s lien from a customer in New York and sold it to Samuel “Santo” Vannozzi, also of Trenton.

Vannozzi was an avid Mercer enthusiast and this was not his first Raceabout. He and his uncle, “Lefty” Gervasoni, had co-ownership of another example which Gervasoni sold without Vannozzi’s knowledge. Once Vannozzi took possession of this Raceabout, he vowed to never part with it for the rest of his life.

In the October 1967 edition of New Jersey Business Magazine, an article noted that Vannozzi paid $35 for the Mercer in 1932 and refused a new Cadillac dealer’s offer to trade a brand new 1967 model-year example for the Raceabout. To this, Vannozzi said, “Anyone can buy a new Caddy, but there aren’t any Mercers sitting around for sale.” The magazine further wrote that “this is possibly one of the most authentic antique cars in existence today.”

Vannozzi lovingly maintained and sparingly showed the Mercer until his passing in 2001, at which point the car was left to his son, Joe. He continued to care for the Mercer as his father had and, in 2012, he decided it was time to find a new home for his family’s prized Raceabout. The consignor had shown a keen interest in the history and authenticity of the car and was able to acquire the Mercer after it had spent over 79 years in the Vannozzi family’s care.

The consignor then entrusted Mercer experts Schaeffer & Long Inc. to restore the Raceabout in a way that would make the car’s finishes as correct as possible. This included sourcing a correct Penberthy carburetor, correctly replating all exterior trim in nickel, and countless other items, detailed by invoices on file. Upon completion, it was awarded a National First Prize at the 2016 AACA Eastern Spring Meet in Vineland, New Jersey, and also won the annual Vince Galloni Award that year for the best Mercer shown that season.

This Raceabout is an outstanding example of an iconic American sports car which has never been offered for public sale. With all the 29 surviving L-head examples being cherished by discerning collectors, the opportunity to acquire a highly original example with known provenance from new, and a painstakingly accurate restoration performed by the leading marque expert, should not be missed.