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The 1965 Mercer-Cobra Roadster, with chassis number CSX2451, is a remarkable concept car that stands as a fusion of cutting-edge design and the elegance of classic automotive artistry. Commissioned by the Copper Development Association, this unique roadster was built to showcase the versatility and potential of copper and brass in modern automobile design. Created by renowned designer Virgil M. Exner and his son Virgil M. Exner Jr., the car was based on a Cobra chassis and features a wide variety of copper-based materials throughout, including on the engine, interior, and body. The decision to incorporate eleven different types of copper alloys in the car’s construction highlights the design’s emphasis on demonstrating the material's adaptability and aesthetic appeal. The bodywork of the car blends classic influences, specifically the Mercer Raceabout, with modern engineering and materials, resulting in a stunning example of automotive craftsmanship.
The design of the Mercer-Cobra was informed by Exner’s passion for combining traditional automotive elegance with contemporary innovation. The car’s long, tapered rear deck and open front fenders evoke the styling of luxury cars from the 1920s, while the use of copper and brass on both the exterior and interior gives it a distinctive, timeless character. The brass grille, copper accents on the engine bay, and copper alloy brake discs contribute to the car’s unique appearance, setting it apart from any other car of its era. Additionally, the car features ingenious touches like the retractable headlights, which swing back into the body when not in use. The choice of materials, including chromium-copper alloy for the steering wheel spokes and brass for the wire wheel covers, makes it a striking visual testament to the marriage of design and practicality.
Despite being a concept car, the Mercer-Cobra was a functional automobile and, though never intended for mass production, remains a vital part of automotive history. After being completed in 1964, the car was toured internationally, appearing at shows across six continents and drawing attention for its groundbreaking use of copper materials in car design. The car also featured in a six-page spread in Automobile Quarterly in 1964, further cementing its place as a landmark in automotive design. Following its completion, the car was kept by the Copper Development Association for nearly a decade before being purchased by collector Joe Bortz in the early 1970s. It passed through several other collectors’ hands before being acquired by the Lyon family in 1989, where it remained until it was sold at auction in 2011 for $660,000. Throughout its life, the Mercer-Cobra has been showcased as a rare and important work of design, a tribute to Virgil Exner’s vision and the innovative use of copper in automotive engineering.
