In the heady days of the mid-1960s, the automotive market was filling up with all manner of unique vehicles. One of the most interesting was a V-8-powered roadster created by famed industrial designer Brooks Stevens. While later versions of this car, dubbed the Excalibur, became garish caricatures of classics from days gone past, the original versions were racy rocket ships. This 1968 Excalibur SS for sale on Craigslist in Folsom, California needs a bit of work since being off the road since 2004. However, with a Corvette 327 cubic inch V-8 under the hood and a curb weight hovering around 2,350 pounds, one cannot deny that a car like this would be a blast to drive. Is the asking price of $25,000 out of line for this American-made neo-classic? Thanks to T.J. for the wire-wheeled tip!
So, what is an Excalibur? It all starts back in the early sixties. Studebaker was on the way out financially, but there was interest in a Mercedes SSK throwback car designed by Brooks Stevens using a Lark chassis and a Studebaker V-8. When it was made clear that the venerable but mortally wounded company was not going to commit, Stevens established his own company to manufacture the distinctive sports car.
When production finally started in 1965, Chevrolet 327 cubic inch V-8 engines were under the hood. This engine was essentially the same 300-horsepower version used in base Corvettes. While more power was only a speed shop catalog or a local Chevrolet dealer away, the performance of these cars was excellent. The reason was that the early cars weighed in at figures ranging from 2,100 to 2,350 lbs. While later Excaliburs gained weight and length, the originals were very much a sports car.
Being more of a boutique item by a specialty manufacturer, Excalibur production was always a three-digit or less affair. The 1968 Excalibur you see here is just one of just 57 cars produced by the company in that year. To add to our knowledge, the seller claims it is “one of about 260 roadsters ever built.” Roadster is the description used for the two-seat cars. Excalibur also offered a four-seat model that became their bread-and-butter line as the car morphed from a sports car to a flashy retro-styled convertible.
This Excalibur hasn’t been driven on the road since 2004. However, the seller reports that it does run and drive. Under the hood is the original 327 cubic inch engine and a three-speed automatic transmission. The exhaust you see in the picture above exits out the sides of the engine compartment and through the long side pipes. Customers not used to such raw niceties complained when this unprotected exhaust helped separate them from a few layers of skin, so a guard was added.
A look at the underside shows that this car is still in relatively good shape. There is the usual oil, grime, and grease you would expect from a car of this era. However, with proper cleaning and polishing and a little rust mitigation on the chromed parts, this car will likely be more than passable.
Overall, if you like to go fast, then this is a car with a whole lot of potential. You can always add horsepower, but it is almost impossible to take away weight. Can you imagine the fun you could have with a modern, high-horsepower drivetrain sitting under the hood? Sure, the styling is an acquired taste. However, at least it isn’t as garish as later Excaliburs. Or as slow.
Would you be interested in this unconventional sports car? Would you leave it stock, or would an LS swap be in the plans? Please share your opinion in the comments.
If he didn’t have the exhaust like that it would be a good looking car. Much better than the 1980’s versions.
The exhaust was its signature feature, what’s not to like?
Are you kidding? The exhaust is the most important feature of the car’s styling.
Yes, indeed. And please, PLEASE no more damned LS swaps. This car had plenty of power for what it is and the last thing we need is another restomod robot wandering the roads…
As said above, way better looking than later versions. I would actually be willing to be seen in this one
Mostly just needs taller, skinnier tires to look right. ( and a 5 speed , too )
With that kind of horsepower to weight ratio you will live longer with the larger tires.
Great writeup, however, there is much more to the story. Originally called “Mercebakers”, or Series l, and really what Stevens should be known for. When the name Excalibur is mentioned, these get very little fanfare, when this was Stevens dream all along. I read, it was his sons that talked him into the Series ll, and beyond, and probably for the better. The bigger ones were much more what people wanted, and nobody complained about the VW tail lights( that still bugs me when folks call that out) With the Corvette motor, these were a handful. I read, this car could do 0-60 in 5.4 seconds, the 1/4 mile at a tick over 14 sec@102mph, and a top speed of about 130. That, my friends, is mighty impressive for a home built car.
Oh, but then there was the price. These cost a whopping $7400 new, when a ’68 Corvette listed for almost half that. Stevens thought he had a winner, but it was the bigger ones that really made the name. I know many may think I’m losing it, but for $25gs, and not gone? Then go buy your rusty Bronco/Cuda/Mustang,, and so on,,
Thanks for the visuals. Handful?
I’ll guess. Rears wanting to break traction. How were the brakes?
25K? If I didn’t have a ss already, (the only Ford based, stainless steel one) I’d grab it. Even though I don’t like that color, paint can be changed. My advice? If you like it get it now!
Thanks Jeff.
I’m sure the bumpers are required in California. I can see myself forgetting about them, moving around the car, and taking a tumble. Just like cacti, patient pricks.
Excaliber J ? J2? was/were from the 50s on a Henry J chassis. There used to be one or it vintage racing. Robert Shaw drove it. I hope my memory isn’t wrong on everything I just wrote.
this is a nice car missing alot. No top, wrong air cleaner, no fan shroud. These are nice as I have one but just the wheels and luggage rack with new tires will be over 7K. Just buy it and leave as it is as it will be alot of time and effort to put back as the factory no longer has tops or hardware for these. With that said they are a blast to drive.
It is interesting to see a His & Hers shifter too to help you shift it better.
Ha! I saw that too. I believe the correct term was “dual gate”, and all fluff.
We had a neighbor in Carmichael CA that had one of these, a 1966 as I recall. It was mighty impressive to us young boys at the time.
It’s a long story, but in the late 70’s or early eighties not sure, but my wife and I drove this era Excalibur from Denver to Seattle for a client. It was titled as a 66 or 67 almost exactly like this one, Maroon ,327, 4-speed, soft top, seemed like we were driving a T-Bucket. It was an adventure at the time, being a lot older and hopefully wiser, I don’t think I would do it now. The owner was in Alaska and it was already licensed there, we got lots of attention and asked if we were driving it all the way. We were going to Seattle to have it shipped by boat. Another long story. After that adventure for the next several years we began taking exotics and collectible cars and shipping them to clients in Alaska. Fortunately we never took another car like the Excalibur!
I recall Bud Lindeman tested one of
these on his Road & Track TV show in
’68. He raved about how fast this car
really was and how well it handled. And he did it in such a way that an average guy would absolutely drool
for a chance to climb into one and try
it on for size! Well, it certainly worked
as it got this young motorhead’s attention at the ripe old age of 14. Used to practice drawing it– or something like it just to see if I could
do it. In my drawings, I envisioned my
creations running 426 Hemis and 4-
speed trannies. Nice to actually see
one again!
…And the following week, he road tested an Avanti II and described it in
the same way as he did the Excalibur!
Boy oh boy, when he smoked the tires
on both of them, it fired my imagination and made me forget about girls!
I have one of these, in red with black cycle fenders. Mine’s a ’69; only 38 built that year. I can tell you, that they are scary fast. I would buy this one now at $25K if the styling appeals to you.
But why only 6 pipes for a V-8?