Representatives from the Petersen Automotive Museum were invited to bring automobiles to both the Quail Motorsports Event in Carmel, California, and the Councours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach. The only unrestored 1913 Mercer 35-J Raceabout, which is part of the Margie and Robert E. Petersen collection that resides at the Petersen Automotive Museum, won the Prewar Sports and Racing Class at the Quail Event. The freshly refurbished 1959 O'l Yaller Mark III (a Buick -powered museum -owned vehicle) took part in a GM -powered sports car class at Pebble Beach where it was well received.
1913 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout
From the Collection of Margie and Robert E. Petersen
Believed to be the most original Mercer Type 35-J in existence, this car was delivered new by the Whiting Motor Co. in New York to Mr. and Mrs. John F. Gray, in whose family it remained for over 30 years. A subsequent owner shipped the Raceabout to the west coast and used it for several years in and around Del Mar, California. The Mercer was then retired and the tires were donated to the war effort. In 1943, it was sold to collector Herbert Royston, with whom it remained until the mid-1970s. It was then purchased and owned for a number of years by famed race car driver, Phil Hill. This 60-horsepower, 5-Liter Raceabout cost a high $3,500 when new and ranks among the most sought after brass era cars in the world.
1959 OL' Yaller Mark III
From the collection of the Petersen Automotive Museum
Gift of Dr. Bruce Jacobs
Ol' Yaller Mark III was the third in a series of seven racecars built by Southern California hot rod legend Max Balchowsky. Constructed in his garage on Hollywood Boulevard, it has a tube chassis and an aluminum body built from plans drawn in chalk on the shop floor. Ol' Yaller is powered by a 414 cubic-inch Buick Nailhead V8 engine, a popular choice among hot rodders of the day. Balchowsky's cars were regarded as unrefined junkyard dogs and were therefore compared to the similarly named dog in Disney's film "Old Yeller" (1957), hence the name. In reality, the cars were well engineered, as evidenced by their victories over the exotic Jaguars, Ferraris, and Maseratis of the day.
For general museum information, call 323/930-CARS or visit the Museum's Web site address at www.petersen.org