Mercer Raceabout 1911

Here, Paul places a Mercer 35 Raceabout in front of J.P. Morgan’s home, imagining that the iconic financier—who defined the height of wealth and influence during the Gilded Age—might have owned such a chic and cutting-edge car. Although the Mercer 35 Raceabout was produced after the Gilded Age, the luxurious lifestyle of figures like Morgan carried over into the early 20th century, when grand cars became symbols of power and prestige.Mercer was an American automobile manufacturer (1909–1925), based in Trenton, New Jersey, and was financed by the Roebling family, known for constructing the Brooklyn Bridge. Like the grand estates and monumental projects of the Gilded Age, the Mercer Type 35 Raceabout represented engineering excellence and the elite status of its owners.One of the most admired supercars of its time, this car defined the concept of a "sports car" long before the term became popular, and also captured the hearts of racing enthusiasts. Designed for both safety and performance, it could be consistently driven at 70 mph with top speeds reaching 90 mph.In August 2014, a mint-condition Mercer 35R Raceabout sold for $2,530,000 at auction, highlighting its enduring legacy as a coveted symbol of early American luxury and design.