Excalibur developed its reputation by producing cars featuring neoclassic styling that drew heavily on the 1928 Mercedes-Benz SSK. A niche manufacturer of hand-built vehicles, over 3,500 cars rolled out of its factory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our feature car is a 1977 Series III Phaeton with a 454ci V8 under the hood. It presents nicely as an original survivor, with no pressing needs for the buyer to address. The seller has listed the Excalibur here on eBay in Phoenix, Arizona. They have set their BIN at $29,975 with the option to make an offer.
Excalibur was the brainchild of Brooks Stevens, who was tasked by Studebaker in 1963 to build a show-stopping concept based on a Lark chassis. From there, the project “grew legs,” with the first Excalibur hitting the market later that year. An updated Series II appeared in 1970, with the Series III following in 1975. Buyers could choose between a Roadster and a Phaeton version, with our feature car being the latter. The first owner ordered it in an eye-catching combination of Ivory and Brown, with a matching soft-top and covers for the spare wheels. The seller is candid about the condition, suggesting that buyers should consider it a driver-grade survivor, rather than a trailer queen. There are no glaring cosmetic shortcomings, with the paint holding a healthy shine, the top fitting as tight as a drum, and the trim sparkling impressively. Excalibur dropped the body onto a ladder-type steel chassis, and with this car located in Arizona, I wouldn’t expect to find any rust beyond possible dry surface corrosion. As befits a neoclassic, this Phaeton rolls on wire wheels fitted with narrow whitewalls.
Buying an Excalibur represented a reasonably significant financial investment, and buyers rightfully expected plenty for their money. This Phaeton delivers via an interior trimmed in Tan leather, with air conditioning, a radio/cassette player, and a brace of gauges to monitor the car’s health and progress. Ergonomics didn’t play a key role in interior styling, with the stereo well beyond the reach of the driver. Otherwise, there is little to criticize. There is no visible wear or signs of neglect, the dash looks crisp and clean, and the contrasting carpet is excellent.
Excalibur initially utilized the Studebaker V8 to power its creations, but transitioned to Chevrolet powerplants when Studebaker ceased production. The 300hp 327ci and 350ci V8 from the Corvette served until 1972 when the company adopted the 454ci big-block. This car features that engine, teamed with a three-speed automatic transmission and power-assisted steering and brakes. Excalibur wasn’t immune to the emission restrictions imposed by legislation on high-volume manufacturers, meaning that the big-block produces around 215hp. Therefore, acceleration is typically more leisurely than the vehicle’s styling might suggest. However, cruising with the top down or rolling along the open road at freeway speeds should present no great challenge to this classic. The seller recently installed new brake calipers, new tires, and a new battery. They indicate that the car is in excellent mechanical health, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
The 1977 model year was a successful one for Excalibur, with the company setting a new sales record of 237 vehicles. That makes these classics relatively rare in a “big picture” sense, but it is also fair to say that they don’t appeal to everyone. Typically, the Roadster version commands around a 10% premium over the Phaeton, and with values dropping, the Series III doesn’t appear to represent a viable long-term investment. The seller’s BIN figure looks respectable in the face of recent successful sales, but is that enough to tempt you to pursue it further?
215hp, but it would not take much to coax out some more.
Peter, I had a good friend that had one of these 35 years ago. He did coax some more HP from his 454 but when he launched it with anything over 1/2 throttle, the wheels had a habit of spitting out spokes from the real wire wheels. I have no idea whatever happened to his car because shortly after I moved away.
Gaudy then, gaudy now, at $29,975 it wouldn’t be hard to find something that will actually garner a bit respect in the real world.
Steve R
Now that depends greatly on which side of the fence you are on, clearly not the same side as me. I happen to have the utmost respect for these cars. Maybe if you grew up in the city where they were made, delivered auto paint to them, and saw on a personal basis what a great organization it was, you might think different too.
That has nothing to do with their awful looking design and this cars asking price price.
Steve R
Gag me with a spoon. One of the most grotesque pieces of crap ever built.
Steve R. I couldn’t agree more. Maybe it is just me, but I see a striking resemblance to the Munster-mobile.
That front bumper set-up and the fiberglass cover for it is such an afterthought
You know, I tire of defending what I hold dear, and with negative comments about these cars, it’s clear, old is such a harsh word, dated is more pleasing, how out of touch we are becoming with our past. People with negative reactions obviously don’t know, or care for that matter, what an important guy Stevens was. Touched our lives with inventions they couldn’t possibly know. From toasters to washing machines. Take these cars, for example. Oh sure, compared to your modern blobs, it is a bit over the top, but in the 70s, these were the ultimate. Classic German styling, Corvette power, hand built, I saw them being made, and was quite impressed.
Every Excalibur post should, nay, must include a very important person, Alice Preston. SHE ran the show, and if still around, still maintains an active registry of all the cars made, many with their original owners still. Her heart was broken when 2 were crushed in the Cash for Clunkers, a slap in the face, but shows to go ya’, nothing is sacred anymore. Some big names had/have Excaliburs. Hollywood stars, Jackie Gleason, Phylis Diller had 4, Shah of Iran, Tony Curtiss, **** Van ****,( in case the filters are listening) who is 99, BTW, I bet still has his, Bill Cosby, even ol’ Blue Eyes, an impressive list I bet even Rolls had a tough time keeping up with. To say it’s gawdy or out of date, bravo, good work, clearly you missed out on some of the greatest times in automotive history, and the Excalibur was one of them, BAR NONE!
I’d like to add one more to the long list of famous people who had one. ( if you mentioned him Hhoward I apologize) The Big “O” Roy Orbison. And he was seriously into cars, motorcycles and boats. Roys even made it onto one of his Album covers.
This one looks immaculate and the torque of that big block really will make for an effortless cruising experience.
UGH!!! Cash For Clunkers, I could really go off on that!
Good for you, Howard! To start of manufacturing company with a handful of employees and build the entire car except the drivetrain and suspension from scratch is a gargantuan accomplishment. Stevens and his sons David and Steve had tremendous obstacles to overcome dealing with the federal regulations, emissions, etc. They built the car as a replica of the 1920s Mercedes SSK cars and did a fabulous job in my opinion
I bought my first Excalibur in 1974 in New Jersey. It was one of the few roaders. Over the following 50 years I bought restored and sold over 200 Excaliburs as a private party. I still have three including car number 001 which I saw as a kid at the 1964, New York automobile show. Mike in Tucson
Hi FGRW and thanks. I don’t recognize your handle, if new, welcome. Others have heard this, but I grew up in Milwaukee, and in the mid 70s, I worked for an auto paint supplier, and Excalibur was one of our biggest accounts. Out of a dozen stops, they HAD to be 1st. The plant in West Allis was immaculate. I remember stacks of Corvette motors in crates, and being a regular, I was allowed to tour the assembly. I never actually met Stevens or Ms. Preston, I had other stops to do, but it was clear, the workers were well treated and loved their job. Unlike the disgruntled workers in Kenosha that supposedly sabotaged the Alliance.
Is this the car that used an MG Midget for the tub?
That was the two seater CLENET. Laney later manufactured a four seater car using a VW convertible as the “tub”.
And possibly several other manufacturers of cars that were that neoclassic style. The tub included the doors, the windshield the dash all the difficult parts to manufacture which Excalibur as the fourth largest American car manufacturer at the time was able to accomplish.
The dash is a disappointment. Needs woodgrain or engine turning.
I love it. Appears to be well cared for. Of course, it was ridiculous when new and now, but what fun to run around in. All I’d need is a Rodney Dangerfield golf wardrobe and I’d be off to the course!
I would rather be seen driving the 1974 Cadillac Eldorado Super Fly, than being caught dead driving this car.
Dragula reborn! Paint it black & have it doing burn outs!
I REALLY hate typing out a long post just to have it NOT posted and get a 403
Can someone please explain to me how the exhaust manifolds match up to the external show pipes? Can’t quite tell from the pictures,thanks in advance.
They probably don’t. Just for show.
When I as a kid, I got a copy of a 1979/80 Sports Car Graphic magazine and there was an article about these cars. Even 45 years later I remember a line in the article, a German car designer who was quoted asking “Why do Americans do such things?” This car is horribly fantastic.
One day on the way home from Road America. (mid ’70s) I stopped in to Brooks Steven’s museum. He had some very cool machinery there to view. BUT, the really cool part was that Mr. Stevens was there. I spent probably about 45 minutes with him discussing his cars and many other things. He was very cordial and humble. I could see spending hours with him discussing the automotive world. I feel very honored to have personally met him. And very lucky to have spent some time with him. The automotive world took a huge hit in his passing.
This thing is weird but and I know they don’t come up for sale often but I think this actually gives you a good base to build a really nice street rod reworking the top and ditching the Volkswagen beetle tail lights and some other thing, making the side pipes actually functional you can wind up with a really cool car
Double gag now.
I always thought these were very cool. I would be happy to have one. How many would you see coming the other way on the road. You wanna see an ugly car?. Check out a Nissan Juke!. Those things are as ugly as homemade sin!!!!!
I grew up in the Milwaukee area in the 70’s and was always impressed with this car. I had the opportunity to meet Sid who did the custom pin stripping for each car. A sharp and interesting person. This car was an inspiration and defined class at the time. A beautiful piece of history.