1913 MERCER TYPE 35 #22

[Pocherphile]

I want to build this using the Fuman 1913 Mercer Raceabout. I have already seen several built here and am looking to build a different version of this American pre-WW1 sportscar.

I do have a question for my colleges..........in this photo of the subject I am looking to build!

The color of the car, faded black or faded dark gray.........my ole eyes can not make it out.

Rick

[Pocherphile]

Cool looking powerplant......................

Edited February 27, 2014 by Pocherphile

[Cato]

I'd go with dark gray...

[f1ford48]

me too-I say its Gray. have you seen this actual car run against a Stutz Bearcat on youtube?

heres a MERCER barn find I built from a junk Aurora kit. at NNL 2011

[Harry P.]

My guess is it's highly weathered and oxidized black, which would turn gray as it weathered and oxidized. Of course, if you want to recreate the look of oxidized black you'll probably want to actually use a dark gray to begin with.

[Pocherphile]

Frank, I wished I would find one in a barn, love the build and the finish is too much. When I was a tadpole, I remember that my Grandpa had parked under a shed a 1 1/2 ton Ford Model T, the left rear wheel, wood spokes of course would be removed and a large leather belt attached to a huge lumber saw blade that set in the middle of the rear platform of the truck. Seems this very vehicle was used to cut the lumber into planks that built the very house I spent many nights in. He would go on to use the truck to help make money doing just the same for others cutting lumber for whatever the customer needed the lumber cut for from trees cut down on their land! My Dad said ever so often, he would have to take the truck to the creek and park it in the water, and then soak the wood wheels to make them swell and tighten up. That ole truck sat there most of my life, but one day when I went to visit the ole home place, it was gone and to this very day, no ones knows what or who got that truck........oh yea, until he died, he kept that ole truck ticking like a clock.

As for the color, I notice that the cowl looks to be a true black while I agree, the rest looks to be a very faded and oxidized black/dark gray. This is what I will shoot for anyway.

Engine block bottom is being cleaned for assembly. The engine in this kit is very detailed and should build up into a nice rep of this power plant w/a few tweaks.

Thanks for the tip Harry, much valued coming from you.

Rick

[f1ford48]

WOW what a great story about the old Model t truck-I have seen photos of the trucks rigged to sawmills but never heard from anyone who actually seen- did it. those are bygone days.my Dads first car was a '23 T touring.

the fuman kit does have a great engine.

Edited February 28, 2014 by f1ford48

[Pocherphile]

Another version of a for racing only Mercer.................can tell the color of this one easily.

Rick

[f1ford48]

Another version of a for racing only Mercer.................can tell the color of this one easily.

Rick

now- that I would like to build! heres the fenderless one I did

[Cato]

now- that I would like to build! heres the fenderless one I did

I especially like the maroon Frank; what make and type paint is that? It reminds me of the Alfa racing color of the early '30's.

[Pocherphile]

I have studied yours closely Frank, and is a very well thought out and cleanly built Mercer, and reps a racer as well. I also want to build the fender less version too. I found this 2nd version in yellow and pretty much will go w/it. I like the looks of the dark gray one, but am not sure I can pull that color off in this scale. However, the yellow one, that one I can do. The article said this car had been found in a warehouse near a race track and looked as if it had been forgot about for some time. But was clear in the fact that this was a racer. Thanks for posting your Mercer Frank, many can get a good feel of what is possible outside of a box stock version.

Rick

[f1ford48]

Rick-your car is gray-no doubt. to see the incredible difference between a raceabout and a bearcat see: mercer stutz, official simeone automobile museum video. on youtube

[Pocherphile]

I especially like the maroon Frank; what make and type paint is that? It reminds me of the Alfa racing color of the early '30's.

Cato, funny you should mention that..........many build the 30's Alfa as a Red, really, the color is a dark red brown, with age the color turns more brick red brown. Had the op to see one that was in a barn and was all original, and this color was no where near red or maroon, but a dark red brown. But again, color is a funny thing as perceived by one's eye. Now do understand, there are red Alfa's, but of the one's I have see in person, they all were restores w/new paint.

Rick

[f1ford48]

I especially like the maroon Frank; what make and type paint is that? It reminds me of the Alfa racing color of the early '30's.

that is rustoleum ''plastic''. claret wine. sprayed lightly over flat black primer to get the time worn look.

there seem to be more shades of maroon lately -I always pick the darkest shade I can find for model cars.

[Pocherphile]

Rick-your car is gray-no doubt. to see the incredible difference between a raceabout and a bearcat see: mercer stutz, official simeone automobile museum video. on youtube

You want to know what grabbed my attention about this car, the natural finish wheels........these things carried a ton of brass as a sports car. Then you have all the lights and fenders and this all adds up to weight. Now strip that bad boy down, get rid of what is not needed and too me that includes the weight of painted wheels. That's what grabbed my attention about #22 and I am still looking to build this one. I agree, gray is the color.

Rick

[Cato]

that is rustoleum ''plastic''. claret wine. sprayed lightly over flat black primer to get the time worn look.

there seem to be more shades of maroon lately -I always pick the darkest shade I can find for model cars.

Thanks Frank. About the Alfas-that deep red-brown always reminds me of dried blood.

Imagine Duplicolor coming out a color called with 'Dried Blood'??

[f1ford48]

yea- that Alfa 6c2500 looks best in a dark maroon- thats how I would build the Pocher- and with painted wheels-gloss black or maroon.

to me that would really make that model more authentic.

I was at a show 2 weeks ago and bought a small spray can of Tamiya TS-11 maroon and this color is leaning more towards the brown side you are talking about.

[f1ford48]

You want to know what grabbed my attention about this car, the natural finish wheels........these things carried a ton of brass as a sports car. Then you have all the lights and fenders and this all adds up to weight. Now strip that bad boy down, get rid of what is not needed and too me that includes the weight of painted wheels. That's what grabbed my attention about #22 and I am still looking to build this one. I agree, gray is the color.

Rick

according to P.H. who restored the Mercer in 1941- it had set some records at Ormond beach back in its day. what they did was turned 70 pounds off the flywheel and lightened the rods-this made it quite a bit quicker.

[f1ford48]

a few pics of the Peter Helck car

[Pocherphile]

Keep'em coming, gleaning every detail.

Rick

[Pocherphile]

Frank here is another idea I am running thru the head.............1910 Maxwell racer.........build from a Hudson Miniatures kit. And the HM kit comes w/a motor too.

Rick

[Pocherphile]

This one gets the stock treatment..................

I believe this to be a Hudson Miniatures clone w/added features..........metal parts, stamped metal hood and fenders, rubber tires and a display board too boot.

I also have the HM's version and it is missing a few items, this one will be the racer.

Rick

See what you have started...................lol

Edited March 1, 2014 by Pocherphile

[f1ford48]

now that is a kit I have not seen-thought Id seen em all!

I have a Revell 1910 Maxwell -all plastic that may have been the spinoff of this car.the body style is identical

that Racer is a cool home built job looks like.

is there really a motor in the HM kit-never seen that either [is it a wood block?!!!!]

[Pocherphile]

now that is a kit I have not seen-thought Id seen em all!

I have a Revell 1910 Maxwell -all plastic that may have been the spinoff of this car.the body style is identical

that Racer is a cool home built job looks like.

is there really a motor in the HM kit-never seen that either [is it a wood block?!!!!]

I just happen to come across the Scientific kit and was floored when I saw all the goodies that came with it........and upon closer inspection of the photos plus what little one could make of the instructions/plans, I realized this was a re-do of a Hudson Miniatures with many of the parts pre-fabbed in metal, the Hudson kit has none of this ie: pre-formed hood made of metal and the fenders are also made of metal plate.......white metal wheels and parts, rubber tires....but is a Hudson Miniatures Maxwell! And it too comes w/engine. About the motor, the Scientific comes w/a few metal parts f/motor, however, Hudson Miniatures is all made of wood parts, but you will surprised @ how well detailed it is compaired to photos of the Maxwell motor. So either way, both, the Racer and a Stock will have a complete drive train. I have built Scientific Boat kits, but I have never seen this one? Was not cheap, about what you pay f/X2 Hudson kits........but I grabbed that sucker the sec. I saw it. Same scale too 1/16.

I was a little bummed out, I had just got the Hudson Miniatures kit and it was missing the diff and one brake shoe and I paid $49.99 f/kit and was listed as complete . This will be the one I use to make the Racer with now. I have as of now acquired 6 Hudson Miniatures kits .

Rick

Edited March 1, 2014 by Pocherphile

[Cato]

OK, time for me to 'fess up. I'm not just a fanboy cheerleader for you guys. I actually build some stuff.

After a layover for (attempted) medical repairs, I've decide to finally start my 'bucket' car, maybe my last build because it will take me forever-the Sedanca K-72.

Thanks (again) to Skip and Harry and a little local advice from a certain Pocher Phile, I've been wading through tons of research and Koo's disc for help.

So far, three + weeks of 8-10 hour days has seen me de-burr, redrill, de-seam and test fit everything on the chassis. Thank you Pocher, Blacksmith to the Stars.

I see I'm still cursed with 'Anal-itis', and doing things that won't be seen-taking untold hours. However, I'm nowhere near as talented as you guys and would be pleased with a 'near museum', almost OOB neat build with some of Marvin's jewels sprinkled on. I'm no machinist and lack those tools so don't look for John Haddock-type work. If I were more accomplished, I'd do a complete car and a separate display chassis with right clevises, linkages and bolt together stuff. -just love this old hardware.

Speaking of which-this 1932 example is carrying most all the same chassis equipment that you guys work with on the Brass Era cars. Not much progress there in 20 years.

Anyway, I'll post a progress shot once in a while but no WIP-too labor intensive for me at this stage.

Feel free to pop in with advice or corrections anytime. I need the help.

PS-Please hound Harry to re-start and post his Sedanca, and stop with these 'little toy cars'.