Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely stunning and
exceptional example of this original 1979 Excalibur SS Phaeton 454
Big Block V8 4 seater Cabriolet with only 14K documented and
original miles! Pristine example, as new. This is one of only 340
coachbuilt cars built in the Excalibur factory in 1979 and one of
the most incredibly preserved examples of these exceedingly rare,
factory coach-built neo-classics;Factory options:1979 Excalibur SS
Phaeton Series III GM 454ci Big Block Engine400 Hydro Automatic
TransmissionFactory A/C1973 Ford 'Silver Moondust' Body Paint (Code
ID)1973 Ford Black Chassis amp; Fenders (Code IC)Black Leather
interiorReverse Pin StripingBolt on Wire WheelsLuggage TrunkLarge
HeadlightsAutomatic Factory Air ConditioningPower AntennaBucket
Seats Power Steering Power BrakesLeather InteriorTrumpet
HornsRemovable Hardtop w/Side CurtainsWhite Wall Radial TiresThis
is an absolutely exceptional example in a stunning color
combination of a 1979 Excalibur Phaeton in showroom new condition
inside and out. This car was purchased by only it's second owner in
June 2003 with only 10K original miles with all it's original
dealer documentation including the original delivery report card
and order confirmation from the factory, original bill of sale for
$31,000 ($111,000 when adjusted for inflation according to the CPi
in 2017) with limited warranty and rare and collectible original
dealers brochures, etc. The car now boasts only 14K original miles.
This is the last year for the coveted and probably most desirable
Series III modles and one of only 340 produced in total in 1979.
The Series III was considered one of the most desirable series
built by Excalibur by enthusiasts due to its still having a Chevy
454ci big block from the factory and all the modern creature
comforts of factory air conditioning, power steering, and power
brakes, etc.The Excalibur automobile is a Neoclassic automobile
which was initially styled after the 1928 Mercedes-Benz SSK by the
renown auto designer Brooks Stevens and which was generally
acknowledged as the oldest and largest manufacturer of upscale
limited production automobiles in the United States. Stevens is
credited with coining the phrase 'contemporary classic' and when
pressed to elaborate on this description he described his new
designs as 'new old cars!'Beginning in the mid-1960s Stevens and
his sons began production of the Excalibur and subsequently formed
the Excalibur company to manufacture and market the cars which were
to built using fiberglass bodies and to be sold with 327c.i./300HP
GM Corvette engines (to be later offered with optional Paxton
superchargers and 4 speed manual transmissions) and which were all
styled after the original inspiration of the 1920's/30s-era
Mercedes roadsters. The result was a sensation: the Excalibur was
smaller and lighter than the 1928 Mercedes SS which it mimicked,
but every bit as fabulous with speeds of 0-60 in 7 seconds and top
speeds of over 149mph (which was astounding for both those days and
indeed today!) and the cars and their reputation soon flourished.
They were built as two seater Roadster's, four seater Phaeton's and
Limousines and were factory built and produced in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin with parts such as the flexible exhaust sections being
bought in from Germany from Mercedes's own supplier, the seats were
modified Studebaker items, the dashboard instruments were from the
Hawk GT and the radiator grille emblem was the famous cross in a
circle which Brooks had used on his first competition Excalibur. It
was named 'Mercebaker' because Studebaker had been a Mercedes
distributor for some time, although the chromed badges at either
side if the hood/bonnet read Studebaker SS..The first series of
cars (Series I) were produced between 1965-69 and there were 259
'SSK Roadster's'; 100 'SS Phaeton's' and 29 smaller full steel body
'35X' Excalibur's were built. The second generation Series II was
produced between 1970-74 with 270 Phaetons now due to their high
demand and only 72 Roadsters. From a price of $6000-$7250 for the
Series 1, the Excalibur Series II went up to $12,000 -$13,000 with
that extra cost being justified for all new upgrades including air
conditioning, variable ratio power steering, adjustable steering
column, servoed brakes, 'Positraction' differential, chromed wire
wheels, stereo radio, two spare tires mounted in the front fenders,
driving lamps, air horns and constant level rear shock absorbers.
Also in 1972 the Chevrolet Corvette Big Block 454 engine was
introduced. The Series III cars were built between 1975-79 and
cruise control was now standard. Production figures shot up to
1,065 Phaetons and 76 Roadsters along with the selling price
increasing to over $30K by its final year of production in 1979.
The Series III was fundamentally a Series II car that had been
luxuriously modified whilst retaining the traditional style but
featured more enveloping fenders/wings. The chassis was a new one,
although still a ladder-type affair, but reinforced by a central
'X'-shaped member and featuring a removable bolt-on front section.
Wheelbase had once more been stretched to 112 inches and the whole
new chassis assembly housed the Chevy Mk IV 454 cu. inch (7500 cc)
big-block V8. The 'Phaeton' version continued to sell in greater
numbers than the 'Roadster', as had indeed been the case since
1969, and even though production did remain restricted (even by a
specialist manufacturer's standards) Excalibur broke a new sales
record in 1977 with 237 units.In 1980 The Series IV was introduced
and the styling also evolved a little. It still undeniably evoked
vintage Mercedes, but this time emulated the 500/540K series rather
than the SS/SSK. The Series IV was obliged by ever more rigorous
anti-pollution regulators to take on a smaller engine, the GM
5.0-liter (305 cu. in.) and so unfortunately continued the decline
in performance for this glorious marque. It would continue being
built though through 3 more generations with the final 100 limited
editions being built in 1995 and now being offered for sale at an
MSRP of $74,897, with the Phaeton's being offered at an MSRP of
$98,897 and the SSK Roadsters now at an MSRP of $104,897!The
Phaeton bodystyle was long considered the traditional symbol of
success in vintage cars with a timeless beauty and true four
passenger comfort and only the finest of appointments were made
available in this luxurious open top touring automobile with
imported leathers, exquisitely detailed 'Zebrano' wood instrument
panels, power windows and mirrors, cruise control and air
conditioning.This particular example is coated in its original and
classically striking two-tone 'Silver Moondust' over 'Black' paint.
Under the hood of this classic is the smooth running Chevy Big
Block 454 V8. Inside you will find the matching Black leather
interior that continues with that theme of luxury with high back
bucket seats which are separated by a center console. The car
drives exactly like a well maintained and extraordinarily low
mileage example should and must be driven to be fully appreciated
and seen to be believed! The engine is extremely strong and the
transmission shift is very smooth and the engine temperature always
remains cool. Turn-key ready, this particular model must looks and
drive almost exactly as when it left the showroom floor almost
thirty-eight years ago and will be sold with all of its original
selling documentation.You will look long and hard to finer example
of this 1979 Excalibur SS Phaeton with only 14K original and
documented miles available anywhere else!
