The Harbourside Mystery.
(Update II: Mercer 1916/17 ?)
We received this intriguing picture from Chuck & Wendy Petty. The harbour scene with strong winds sending away the thick industrial smoke in the background. From the smoke you can make up the couple had to stand still for at least five or ten seconds in order not to be blurred. He is very stiff in doing this, the lady feels much more relaxed in keeping a pose... Their (almost) new tourer was without doubt part of their motivation for getting a great photo. We think that recognising the car will not be too much of a problem for you. It is registered in California 1920. The characteristic radiator and heart shaped badge should do the rest. When you click here for more detail, a third party will enter the scene. Contact Us
UPDATE II by Ivan Saxton:"Exclude 1915 22-70, the first of Erik Delling's 3 3/4" x6 3/4" b/s L heads, which had a lower profile and slightly larger wheels, and exclude the ohv 6 cylider Series Six from 1922-3 on, because the chassis frame is recogniseably different (except for the very rare Raceabout, which used a n L-head chassis. Body is what called a "Sporting", a five passenger job with wire Rudge 80mm wheels. Touring for 7 passengers was marginally longer body with mostly wood wheels. It is hard to distinguish between 1916, 17, 18, and the later similar Series 5 with the detail in this photo; but my guess would be '16 22-72 or '17 22/73 because the bonnet louvres are slightly different perhaps than my 1918 Series 4. Ralph Buckley told me they put the best engines in Raceabouts, then Sportings, then other open cars before sedans; and the worst ones went in cars for South America. (1915 to 1917 cars had the wound flywheel USL starter/generator, which Ralph said were not safe above 2000 rpm; so the Raceaboutshad no starter so had to be started with hand crank,-- what we call the "Armstrong starter").
UPDATE by Mark Dawber, Hugh Nutting, Mike Snyder, Jin Marie Davis, John McKiernan, Uffe Mortenson and Kit Foster who all agree on Mercer. Which one exactly is not fully clear, Hugh Nutting states: "... this style came out in 1916 with few changes through 1923." Mark says:"... maybe a series 5 six cylinder model". Mike: " I think the model is a Series 5 sportabout." Jinn: "...new 1920 mercer sport touring 4 passenger, with the very powerful 4 cylinder, 70 hp engine."
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