One of the the bigger let downs with most kit cars is the powerplant. Typically, in an effort to make the whole kit work and also keep costs down, the original design called for a fairly humble engine, which always seems like a key ingredient to building a bonkers kit car of some kind. Now, the Excalibur has always relied on a better and bigger engine than most replicas or kits, usually a small block Chevy. But the seller of this example listed here on craigslist has gone one step further by installing a 454.
He’s asking $33,000 for the car, which looks like a hoot and a half. The big block slides in nicely to the somewhat cramped engine bay, but I suspect the difficulty you’ll have in changing an oil filter will be well worth the trouble. As I mentioned above, the Excalibur fared better than most by sourcing a domestic V8 to live under the fold-away engine cover, but I still feel like a car that looks like this should be an exercise in pure excess – perhaps a supercharger next? The seller notes that the headers “…actually work.”
The interior is in lovely condition and appears to have air conditioning. Personally, I’d swap in the Recaro seats that some of the later cars came with, and maybe a slightly smaller steering wheel. The listing highlights lots of recent mechanical improvements, including “…new battery, new brakes, air cleaner, fuel change, complete clean.” The Excalibur will also come with both tops, which gives it year-round usability.
Ah, the Beetle taillights – always a reminder as to what a parts bin special this car was. The only thing I didn’t see mentioned and that would be a logical next step is to completely sort out the suspension. Big sway bars, Wilwood brakes, fat rubber, and whatever lowering is achievable out of this chassis would make it handle as well as it goes, and just up the silly factor even more. I personally love builds like this, and hope the seller gets every penny. What about you?
The Beetle taillights will be the last thing that most people see of this car at the stoplights!
I’m sure Cruella Deville will be all over it. No thanks.
If you can get that big block to hook up on those skinny tires you could really spoil a lot of people’s days.
I don’t mind the size of the steering wheel but the style is all wrong. Needs something with a combo of vintage/pimp.
The nice thing about this car is if you damage the exhaust system, you just have to go down to Home Depot and buy some more dryer vent tubing.
I have those same hood latches on a vintage suitcase I own. I wonder if the car comes with the little stamped key?
The Excalibur was NOT a kit car. These were manufactured vehicles using components from Detroit’s mainstream vehicles and custom bodies.
You just stated the definition of a kit car. Just because Factory Five will sell you a completed Cobra doesn’t mean it’s not a kit car.
The excaliburs in 1975 had 454 in them. All had air conditioning. People should do research before leaving comments
I’ll start off by saying the writer of this stoy is BLIND. the engine looks like crap!!. Tons of wear in entirior, chrome is bad!! Geez. U stuff a v-8 in a car like this at least break out a couple orange cans of chevy paint and pretty up the engine bay. YUCK
…and no belts on the A/C pump…
Why would you want to do any lowering? You can buy distressed jeans lots of places; dragging your butt on the asphalt can be really uncomfortable. Personally I prefer vehicles with a slightly higher stance because they allow me to see conditions ahead over the top of whatever is in front of me.
The Excalibur is a stately touring car, not a nimble LeMans track racer.
That entire front bumper set-up is laughable & ugly.