Showing well and unique (even among the 222 such cars built) thanks to its interesting history, this 1977 Excalibur Phaeton enjoyed a lifetime of indoor storage and accumulated fewer than 12,000 miles. Sadly separated from its fenders and big V8 some years ago, it’s offered here on eBay. Sold in driving condition thanks to a GM inline six-cylinder engine, the Excalibur sale includes original parts not pictured. After the opening $10,000 bid, this car WILL SELL in a true auction. However, if you cannot wait, simply click Buy It Now for $13,000.
This Series III Excalibur first hit the streets in 1975. the evolution of a design from the 1960s paying homage to the lovely 1928 Mercedes-Benz SSK. So, ironically, it’s been 42 years since this Excalibur first hit the streets, more than transpired between the SSK and the first Excalibur. That makes the re-design twice a classic! Thanks to howstuffworks.com for some details. The Phaeton styling is somewhat muddled by the removal of fenders and rear treatment, but this could be a handsome cruiser.
An earlier owner’s big plans included supercharging the original 454 cid Chevrolet V8, similar to nine factory Excaliburs. That operation required removal of the fenders, and sadly the owner did not live to see the project finished. After that, it languished in an airplane hangar until being sold.
Though not as impressive as the original big block, the GM six looks appropriate. Engines of the “straight six” configuration propel many fine classics. Inherent balance and bountiful torque make the I6 an excellent choice for a smooth-idle and undramatic thrust. What would you change if this interesting tribute made its way into your garage?
Looks like the ’28 SSK had larger diameter wheels and tires- I would go with those.
Back in the mid-1980’s, we were driving out to Vegas when we noticed waaaay back a very unusual looking vehicle gaining on us. It what seemed like just a few seconds later, an Excaliburs blew past like we were rooted to the spot. With it’s speed I’m guessing it was one of the supercharged versions.
I read, most Excaliburs had a 350 Corvette motor, ( I saw crates of them stacked at the plant) but only 12 were made with a Paxton supercharger. There’s a slim chance you saw one, but coming out of Vegas, it very well could have been.
Good grief that car is ugly, put the power back in it and put the fenders back on!
That won’t help. These are wretched looking cars, no matter what you try to do to fix them. This one is especially ugly. I can’t believe someone would be willing to bid $10,000 on the mess.
For anyone that complains about prices of real muscle cars, remember this monstrosity.
Steve R
The MG Midget tag light for a map light is an interesting addition.
These always strike me as looking like a cheezy kit car. Confused styling, gratuitous vintage styling cues stuck on a boxy unattractive body. It’s not an SSK, it’s not a car from the 1930s…. it’s just trying hard to pretend it is something that it obviously is not… just “ugh” on 4 wheels.
And the 6-cylinder motor hardly adds much to the appeal. Don’t get me wrong, I have some admiration for old-school style big-6 having owned an old F150 with the indestructible 300-6, but not really the right thing for a sports-car. .
I realize that these weren’t kit cars, but were actually quite well put together, expensive and they did sell quite a few of them back in the day, but I still can’t fathom what the attraction was. Oh well, each to their own. taste in cars can be a very personal thing…I’m sure it will sell to somebody….
You are right. A quick search of Google images will show that the Excalibur Phaeton and the Mercedes SSK aren’t very similar in appearance.
Steve R
I thought this was a 20s car when i first saw it!
Alice Preston( head mechanic for Excalibur and still maintains a dealer network, of sorts for these) just passed out. What somebody did to one of her beautiful cars. She was mortified to hear 2 Excaliburs were scrapped in the “cash for clunkers” program. I delivered the paint for Excaliburs in West Allis, Wis. They were truly remarkable automobiles, I saw them built. A great percentage of Excaliburs still remain with their original owners. Some big names had Excaliburs, Phyllis Diller, Jackie Gleason, Tony Curtiss, to name a few.
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/article/alice-preston/
Name dropping does not make them any more desirable.
IDK, it worked for the Trans Am,,
Hot rod the living crap out of the 6 banger and mash the go pedal…wwhhheeeee
As a kid I saw a series 1. That car stuck with me. I know looking at it today it is over the top and don’t care. Love the way they look and sound. Surprising how small they are, a factory hot rod with a small car and big motor.
Could take something like this and make it a fun car for ice cream runs. Would put the fenders back on and tone it down a bit.
That is/was one helluva lady! Wish we had a lot more of them. As a purist Vintage car and motorcycle owner and dealer, Excalibur’s were never really on my radar, however, when I was the organiser of one of South Africa’s largest motor shows in Durban, a dealer asked me if he could display one next to his Mercedes Benz SSK Replica. I wasn’t too keen but gave him a space which I thought was out of the direct line of sight and forgot about him. After the show had been open for a couple of hours I noticed a large group of people surrounding his stand so went to have a looksee as I thought he must be giving something away for nothing. Not so, everybody was clamouring for a look at the Excalibur! Now I had to see for myself what the attraction was and was surprised to discover that it was one very nice, professionally built, very impressive motor car. Well done Alice Preston.
The most Excaliburs I ever saw were at a state convention of Chirorpractors. Free hair plugs and teeth whitening if you bought one new. Kill it with fire.
Boy, I have seen some big 5 MPH bumpers before, but this one takes the cake! The front bumper must be rated for a 30 MPH punch.
Someone needs to buy this and burn it to the ground.
I think a couple of WWII 88mm anti-tank guns (genuine Wehrmacht or replica) would be more fitting. :-) :-)
Best thing I can say is, it’s just a big over grown Gazelle Kit Kar but without the reliability or class (sic) of a VW motor!
Gee I can’t believe all of the negative comments on such a beautiful car. Sure at the introduction it was supposed to be a modern version of the Mercedes, I personally thought the version in around 1970 was cool looking with the exhaust pipes coming out the side of the hood and a corvette 454 on the other side of those pipes. This version lost some of the beauty of the originals.
I read about a 66 Excalibur in “related finds” (the blue one) a lot of good information in that write-up. It’s interesting that the designer was from Studebaker and the 3 exhaust pipes were in part because the 28 Mercedes SSK which presumably used a 6 cyl engine and also because originally a Studebaker engine with Siamesed center exhaust ports.
Personally I always thought the Excalibur Phaeton lost the good looks of the original 2 seater.
Also for those who complained about the styling look at the Panos listed above or retro 2000 T/bird Plymouth prowler, 2005 Mustang and others trying to recreate in peoples perception that this new car is a spiritual successor to an earlier model.
BTW mentioning famous people who owned this or that is not name dropping it’s just a statement of fact and shows that famous people thought this car was attractive to them. If you don’t like this car fine we all have cars we dislike as it should be just realize there are those that think the same car is a work of art.
Thanks, SC/, like I say, I saw these being built, and the place was spotless. The workers loved what they were doing, ( and probably made a good living to boot) and every car was meticulously built. I just can’t say that about many other American cars.