1912 Mercer Raceabout, Thrall Auto Collection to be sold

Dragone Classic Motorcars will offer a vast array of rare and exciting motorcars at their fall auction Oct. 18 at the Dragone Classic Motorcars gallery in Westport, Conn. This auction features a rare 1912 Mercer Raceabout, which is the second Mercer Raceabout to be sold this year, following the $2.5 million sale in August by RM Auctions in Monterey, Calif. Dragone will also feature a 1935 Auburn Speedster that has been a one-family owned since 1954, several of the finest Corvettes, and the entire contents of the Mason Thrall Estate Collection.

"There's something in this auction for everyone at all levels of the market," said Manny Dragone of Dragone Classic Motorcars. The Thrall collection carries a rich and diverse number of motorcars, running all aspects of the collector car market.

Among the highlights are: a 1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Landaulet with coachwork by Barker and previously owned by the Ellenville Auto Museum in New York. This magnificent car is presented in original condition. Also featured are several micro cars including: a Messerschmitt K200 and two BMW Isettas. Collectors of the unusual will find delight with a 1931 De Vaux and a 1926 Moon. The Thrall collection also contains marquees such as: Peerless, Packard, Hupmobile, Franklin, Graham, Oakland, Chrysler, and Studebaker to name a few.

For the muscle car enthusiasts "without a doubt, this is one of the most eclectic collection of motorcars we've ever offered," said Dragone like a 1965 Plymouth Barracuda, 1984 Oldsmobile Hurst/442 with only 657 original miles since new, two 427 Corvettes from the 1960s and a stunning 1969 Ford Shelby GT500 with a 428 Cobra jet engine. Thrall spent an entire lifetime acquiring this most unusual assortment of cars.

The beautiful 1912 Mercer Raceabout is fully documented, with lineage going back to the 1940s. This Mercer is perhaps, one of the most original in existence with ties to names like Webster Knight, Edward Malley, Alec Ullman and David V. Uihlein, Jr. There's also the 1935 Auburn Speedster that was recently cosmetically refurbished and presented in its original black livery. This supercharged wonder from the Errett Loban Cord empire is perhaps the very pinnacle of beauty in an American performance car.

For collectors of America's sports car, the Corvettes are some of the rarest and best Corvettes with a 1957 fuel-injected four speed, a 1959 with dual-quad carburetors, and a 1962 fuel-injected model. "The quality, fit, and finish on these Corvettes is amazing," said Dragone.

In addition, offered is a fully documented, rare aluminum bodied 1950 Jaguar XK120 that has been fully restored to its exact factory specifications. This exquisitely designed body, along with its 3.4 liter dual overhead cam inline-six is a car that sets a world standard for what a performance car should be. A wonderful piece of art deco history is being offered, styled by the great industrial French designer Raymond Loewy is an aerodynamic Hupmobile coupe from 1935; also, a Chrysler Airflow and a 1934 Brewster, if your collection is lacking something out of the ordinary.

For a list of auction vehicles: http://www.dragoneclassic.com/Auctions/fall-auction-2014/cars/