Highlights
- Very early Series I ‘step over’ Excalibur
- Car 13 of only 259 Series I roadsters built
- Sold new to the CEO of Pepsi Co
- Attractive burgundy metallic with black leather
- Chevrolet 327CI V8 with 4spd manual box
- Current keeper for 20 years
The Appeal
In the 1960s, with Hollywood in full swing and Detroit nearing the end of its bechromed ‘Imperial’ phase, respected industrial designer Brook Stevens spotted an opportunity to give the rich and famous some classic pre-war glamour but with modern motoring comforts. The result was this car, the ambitiously named Excalibur, an arresting update of Mercedes-Benz beautiful SSK roadster.
The original Series 1 car arrived in 1965 as either roadster or Phaeton. 259 of the former were built, with just 97 of these early cars featuring a ‘step over’ design without doors, bumpers, or side running boards. 91 are reported by the seller to still exist. These early cars used leftover Studebaker Lark chassis and were powered by Chevrolet’s burbly 327CI (5.4L) V8, usually mated to a 4spd manual box. Lightweight and powerful, these were not mere show ponies.
This car, chassis number 1013, is said to be a very early ' step over' Series 1 likely built in 1965, but not verified. It is finished in attractive burgundy metallic with white coachlines and a black leather interior. It shows off Stevens’ clever detailing, such as the faux side exit exhaust pipes, engine-turned dashboard and classic dials. The vendor tells us that it was first delivered to the CEO of Pepsi Co and was part of an initial batch of 12 cars delivered to a large General Motors dealer in New York.
The car was bought from Alice Preston of Camelot Classic Cars in Milwaukee, Wisconsis. As a production supervisor at Excalibur, Preston is inextricably linked to the car. She continued to manufacture new cars to special order and supplied used cars plus parts and accessories. The vendor tells us that this was the earliest car sold by Camelot when he acquired it 20 years ago. It still wears its USA plates.
Since purchase the car has been fitted with updated wheel hubs and fitted with new wire wheels and correct tyres. It is said to have been serviced by Rohdins Automobile Service, the Rolls-Royce and Bentley garage in Trollhattan.
The car was bought from Alice Preston of Camelot Classic Cars in Milwaukee, Wisconsis. As a production supervisor at Excalibur, Preston is inextricably linked to the car. She continued to manufacture new cars to special order and supplied used cars plus parts and accessories. The vendor tells us that this was the earliest car sold by Camelot when he acquired it 20 years ago. It still wears its USA plates.
Since purchase the car has been fitted with updated wheel hubs and fitted with new wire wheels and correct tyres. It is said to have been serviced by Rohdins Automobile Service, the Rolls-Royce and Bentley garage in Trollhattan.
There is scope for the buyer to improve the condition. Whether you choose to do that or enjoy the patina, this car feels like a guaranteed conversation starter and show stopper.
History & Paperwork
- Chassis number 1013 indicates a very early build
- First keeper was CEO of Pepsi Co
- Currently located in Sweden
- Retains its USA licence plates as shown
- One of 259 Series 1 roadsters
- Said to be one of 97 'step over' Series 1 cars
- 1000-series cars were built in the first two years of Excalibur production
- Sold by Excalibur specialist Alice Preston to current keeper 20 years ago
- Serviced by Rohdins in Trollhattan
The vendor says:
"The car was bought from Alice Preston at Camelot Classic Car in Milwaukee Wisconsin which was the factory where the Excalibur cars were produced. Alice Preston was the production supervisor at Excalibur that bought the factory after the company closed down, and she has continued manufacturing new cars (special orders), selling used cars, spare parts and accessories. This was the oldest car that was sold by Camelot Classic Car when I bought it 20 years ago.
"This car with Vin# 13 (1013) is one of the absolute first Excalibur cars to be produced and it was included in the first delivery batch of 12 cars that was sold to the biggest GM dealer at the GM headquarter in New York.
"Most Excalibur cars were sold to rich and famous customers. This car was sold new to the CEO of Pepsi Co.
"There were totally 97 cars built from Series 1 with no doors and motorcycle fenders and of those, 91 cars remain in service according to info that I got from Alice Preston.
The car has been equipped with new updated wheel hubs as the original hubs had a design error and could break due to fatigue. The car has got new wire wheels and correct tyres that match the car.
"The car has been serviced and maintained in a local Rolls-Royce & Bentley garage in Trollhättan - Rohdins Automobile Service AB
"An extensive photo documentation follows with the car, showing the history of Excalibur."
"The car was bought from Alice Preston at Camelot Classic Car in Milwaukee Wisconsin which was the factory where the Excalibur cars were produced. Alice Preston was the production supervisor at Excalibur that bought the factory after the company closed down, and she has continued manufacturing new cars (special orders), selling used cars, spare parts and accessories. This was the oldest car that was sold by Camelot Classic Car when I bought it 20 years ago.
"This car with Vin# 13 (1013) is one of the absolute first Excalibur cars to be produced and it was included in the first delivery batch of 12 cars that was sold to the biggest GM dealer at the GM headquarter in New York.
"Most Excalibur cars were sold to rich and famous customers. This car was sold new to the CEO of Pepsi Co.
"There were totally 97 cars built from Series 1 with no doors and motorcycle fenders and of those, 91 cars remain in service according to info that I got from Alice Preston.
The car has been equipped with new updated wheel hubs as the original hubs had a design error and could break due to fatigue. The car has got new wire wheels and correct tyres that match the car.
"The car has been serviced and maintained in a local Rolls-Royce & Bentley garage in Trollhättan - Rohdins Automobile Service AB
"An extensive photo documentation follows with the car, showing the history of Excalibur."
The Condition
- Early ‘step over’ body without doors, bumpers or side running boards
- Burgundy metallic paintwork with white coachlines to wings
- Paintwork shows some cracking and other damage in photos
- Bodywork appears presentable as shown with scope to improve
- Chassis as shown which on early cars was from Studebaker Lark
- Firestone tyres with white banding
- Chrome wire wheels with centre lock and matching spare
- Chrome luggage rack
- Exterior chrome shows some age to certain components as shown in photos
- Black leather interior with two bucket seats and matching black carpets
- Engine-turned effect dashboard with classic dials, three spoke wheel and period radio
The Mechanics
- Likely fitted with Chevrolet 327CI 5.4L V8 (not verified)
- 4spd manual gearbox with Hurst shifter (not verified)
- Serviced by Rolls-Royce and Bentley garage in Trollhattan
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