In 1915, Mercer, the most prominent American manufacturer of performance-oriented automobiles of the decade, introduced its first all-new model since the company started five years prior. The aptly named Series 5 would remain in production for nearly a decade and established itself, just as the earlier Mercers had, as the foremost American speed machine of a new era. Incorporating a brilliant Eric Delling-designed L-head four-cylinder engine, with abundant power and flexibility on an advanced chassis with live-axle suspension, it was one of the fastest, most powerful automobiles on the American road—also, in a way, continuing a Mercer tradition!

According to historian Stan Smith’s 2019 Mercer Associates roster, the car offered here is the first of six known surviving 1921 Series 5s in this style, the four-passenger touring car that Mercer aptly but unconventionally dubbed Sporting. The earliest known 1921 model by chassis number, its earliest known owner is recorded as Al Ernst of Paramus, New Jersey, in the 1950s, after which it was owned by the longtime L-head Mercer partisans Arnold Mercer (no relation) and Richard Roy of Branchville, New Jersey. Following Mr. Roy’s ownership, it was purchased by Richard Sedgewick, then joined a collection in California, from which Clive and Janet Cussler happily purchased it in early 2018.

An attractive older restoration, the Mercer presents nicely in an appropriately sporting red and black livery, with black leather interior and cloth top. There is some light wear to the upholstery and around panel edges, but a Mercer is one of those automobiles, like a vintage Bugatti, that looks better with some patina—they were driver’s cars, meant to be enthusiastically used as this one has been over its life. The original chassis number plate is intact on the firewall and, based upon its sequencing, the engine is believed to be original to the car.

Every collection of significant American cars requires a Mercer, one of the great driver’s cars of their or any other time. This one allows its new owner to take three friends along for the ride in an experience that is truly, well, sporting.