Description
EXCALIBUR ROASTER SERIES 1 FROM 1969.
The Excalibur story began in 1964 when the renowned industrial designer Brooks Stevens, who was working as a consultant for Studebaker, was invited to design a show car for that year's New York Motor Show. A passionate motorist and keen collector, Stevens was an admirer of the pre-war Mercedes-Benz SSK and pitched the idea of a "contemporary classic" version of the German sports car to Studebaker, then a Mercedes importer. For the "Mercebaker", Stevens used a modified Studebaker Daytona chassis, which was clothed in lightweight retro-styled bodywork. Built in just eight weeks, the Excalibur SS prototype was ready three days before the New York Motor Show where it caused a sensation, but too late to save the struggling Studebaker Corporation. A lengthy list of potential buyers resulted, one of whom - a Chevrolet dealer - asked if the car could be built with a Chevrolet engine. Stevens agreed. An advertisement in the Wall Street Journal generated sufficient deposits to allow production to commence, and in 1966, the company relocated to premises in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Excalibur found an entirely new market for this retro styling.
Iconic styling with a pointed grille, external exhaust pipes, and wire wheels.
Powered by a modern V8 with automatic transmission.
There were even some surprises amongst the growing list of buyers, Steve McQueen, better known for his ownership of a highly coveted XK SS, also owned one of these cars.
Excaliburs have been owned by many famous celebrities, including Bill Cosby, Frank Sinatra, Steve McQueen, Dick Van Dyke, Tony Curtis, Sonny & Cher, Dean Martin and Jackie Gleason.
King Juan Carlos of Spain being one of the most recent customers.
This magnificent Excalibur Roadster SS Series 1 boasts a superb black interior with red stitching.
This is a unique opportunity to own one of the finest Excalibur Series 1 roadsters.
ONE OF 41 CARS FROM 1969 EQUIPPED FROM THE FACTORY WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
CHEVROLET ENGINE.
INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION ON ALL FOUR WHEELS.
SOFT TOP WITH SIDE CURTAINS.
MOT PASSED.
FRENCH REGISTRATION DOCUMENT IN MY NAME.
REGISTERED AS A CLASSIC CAR.
READY FOR ANY DISTANCE.
SIMPLY ONE OF THE FINEST EXCALIBUR SS SERIES 1 ROADSTERS.
