Re: Merc 100 what to watch for what to offer

[billw]

If you’re looking at a true Merc 100, it is an "automatic transmission" model. Non-believers in the Dark Side call it a spring drive. (Lol) While there is nothing automatic about them, they are odd, clever and complicated, compared to a clutch dog-type engine. They are my favorite type of old Mercury, mostly because, in classic Mercury fashion, there was a lot of outside-the-box thinking going on, when they designed it. The only thing about the 100 I don’t really care for is that it is the lowest power output version of three basic automatic transmission hp ranges, that ALL WEIGH PRETTY MUCH THE SAME! They are the smoothest of them all, though. I would prefer the extra power and speed of a Mark 28 or a 200 (or even a 250, if you stumble across one) but that’s just my opinion. The 110s have fewer cubic inches; so they have less real power; although they are a lot lighter and are also good runners. In my opinion, the 110s lack character; but to each his own.

Price depends entirely on physical condition. A cream puff that doesn’t run is worth FAR more than one that someone has spent a ton of money to get running but still looks like a wreck. Therefore I would give a huge range of $25 for a real ugly one to $400 for a near mint one.

Long live American manufacturing!