Low Mileage Original: 1969 Excalibur SS Phaeton:
Designed by none other than the legendary Brooks Stevens as a "halo car" for the Studebaker-Packard Corporation and displayed at the 1964 New York Auto Show, he Excalibur has become a legend in its own time. Based loosely on the immortal Mercedes SS (Super Sport) and SSK (Super Sport Kurz) models, he Excalibur mesmerized people 50 years ago, ows them today, nd will certainly attract them another 50 years down the road.
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One of only 44 SS models built for the year, he '69 Excalibur Phaeton featured here, IN *6052*, as lived a sheltered life. A California resident from new, t has traveled a mere 16,233 miles during the past 46 years and still carries its California blue-and-yellow license plates, ront and back.
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Like the Mercedes SS/K, he Excalibur features a huge, pright radiator grille, ith the sword instead of the three-pointed-star as a mascot. In the early days, eople would sometimes mount a Mercedes star in place of the sword, aking the original mascot all the more difficult to find. Also borrowed from the Mercedes is the huge, enter-mounted spotlight that turns with the wheels!
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A car of many facets, he Excalibur can be driven topless, ither completely open or with the full length tonneau cover mounted. The latter features a zipper down the center, llowing just the driver to be exposed while the remainder of the interior is protected from the elements.
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In case of inclement weather, he car can be driven fully enclosed, ith the full convertible top up and the side curtains -- with mail slots -- in place. Not that it ever rains in Southern California . . .
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Our favorite configuration, nd the way the Monkeemobile was set up, ould be with the convertible top up but without the side curtains for an airy feel, et protected from the sun.
Two-tone paint in jaw-dropping diamond blue with anthracite fenders presents soul-stirringly handsome; all brightwork remains in fetchingly attractive condition as well.
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Nesting in a spotlessly clean engine compartment and easily accessible via removable alloy panels is the Excalibur's original 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L69 High Performance engine of 327 cu.in. displacement. With 300 horsepower on tap, he factory claims it's powerful enough to catapult the 2,100 lbs. car from 0-60mph in a mere 5.4 seconds and to continue all the way to a top speed of 134mph.
And that was forty-six years ago!
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The engine is as healthy as you'd expect it from a super low mileage unit, ith no issues or ill behavior of any kind to report. Note the unique, oxed exhaust manifolds dumping the spent gases into the functional side pipes, hoses flexible sections were sourced directly in Germany from Mercedes-Benz's original manufacturer. As a result, he uniquely reverberating Excalibur soundtrack has a lot in common with a supercharged Mercedes' Wagnerian leitmotiv -- it's pure, nadulterated sonic ecstasy for every gearhead's ears!
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The no-nonsense cockpit is dominated by a blissfully nice 4-spoke volant. Excalibur features power steering and power brakes, ith discs up front.
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Instruments and switchgear were sourced from Studebaker's parts bins.
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Shift duties are performed by a B-W automatic transmission, perated by the unique and -- back then -- state-of-the-art Pontiac GTO His & Hers gated shifter, llowing for safe, anual gear changes as desired.
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Backside-cradlingly comfy front bucket seats are in "as new" condition. Yes, here are original lap belts installed.
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If you thought a Rolls Royce Phantom provides the ultimate leg room for rear passengers, ou haven't been the lucky backseat occupant in an Exalibur Phaeton yet.
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Quite similar in looks to a Morgan Plus Eight, he Phaeton features a rear-mounted chrome wire wheel spare and a functional, hromed luggage rack. While later Excaliburs had to make do with the ungainly, OT-mandated, ate-model VW Beetle taillights, he Series One came with these eye-pleasing, intage-looking Spitfire lamps.
Note the top's crystal clear rear window.
Due to life-long dry storage, xcalibur's Studebaker Daytona-sourced, ltra heavy duty frame has remained free of corrosion. It's so original, ven the gaiters for the rear leaf springs are still in place!
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Above photos show the undercarriage in more detail.
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Wednesday, eptember 2, urned out to be a lovely late summer day here in our old Mission town San Buenaventura. We took the Excalibur out for a drive through the Ventura Hills and had a blast!
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You'd think that a big roadster like the Excalibur would be hard to handle, ut the truth is far from it. The brutish-looking car starts instantly at the turn of the key, dles smoothly, nd performs like a C2 Corvette, inus the latter's rattling and flexing. The car has recently been fitted with a brand new set of true knock-off (not bolt-on) chrome wire wheels and radial tires.
Note retina-pleasing details like the quadruple air horns, an leather strap securing the hood, nd metal stone guards protecting the headlamps.
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All gauges work (apart from the clock), il pressure is excellent, oolant temperature always stays where it's supposed to be, here's no smoking or leaking. Stab the loud pedal, nd staggering acceleration will reset your equilibrium. When it comes time to throw out the anchor, he big, ower-assisted brakes make short work of it.
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Returning home, e wax philosophically about our Excalibur experience. Literally the first "retro look" car that made it into successful production -- the Stevens brothers' Excalibur manufacture in Milwaukee, isconsin turned out exactly 359 Series One cars between 1965 and 1969 -- it strikes us as an incredible bargain in today's collector car world. Excalibur went on to produce ever more elaborate and heavy cars for another three decades, ut these first, ightweight and pure specimen are a true delight to own, rive, nd show.
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A car designed to look like a classic, re-war 1928 Mercedes that, 0 years later, as become a classic in its own right. With South Bend and Detroit reliability, inely hand-made by American craftsmen, n Excalibur makes quite a statement. You will be hard-pressed to find a nicer low-mileage original on the market, o here's a golden opportunity to secure such a "Classic's Classic" today.
You are most welcome and encouraged to view this fine automobile in Ventura, y appointment, uring the auction, r have someone inspect it for you. Please, erform your due diligence before you bid.
Please, ote that this car is currently advertised on our Web site and on display in our Showroom. We reserve the right to accept a satisfactory offer and close this auction at any time. Feel free to contact us via e-mail at bill@californiaclassix.com or call us at (805) 653-5551.
We require a $1,000 deposit to be paid via PayPal within 24 hours of the end of the auction and the balance to be paid via bank wire transfer (or in cash) within 5 business days, nless other arrangements have been agreed upon during the auction. The car comes with a clear California Certificate of Title. It is smog exempt and sold "as is, here is" with no warranty stated or implied. You fully understand that you are not bidding on an "option to buy" this vehicle. You bid to own! There are no contingencies. We ship worldwide.
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