1965 Excalibur Series I SS in Amelia Island, Florida

Chassis No. 1050

Designer and early car collector Brooks Stevens established himself as a luminary in the automotive industry, best described by The New York Times as "a major force in industrial design." Though starting his career in the industrial and graphic design realm and crafting several ubiquitous kitchen appliances in the 1950s, Stevens was a dyed-in-the-wool gearhead. He penned the lines of the 1949 Harley Davidson Hydra-Glide, Volkswagen 411, numerous Willys-Overland and Studebaker models, and even a redesign of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Such was Stevens' passion for cars that he established his own auto museum in 1959 that spotlighted his creations and the designs that inspired him.

While consulting for Studebaker in the 1960s, Stevens dreamed up the Excalibur-an independent automobile that was heavily inspired by the 1928 Mercedes-Benz SSK. Stevens fitted classic-inspired bodywork onto unused Studebaker Lark Daytona convertible chassis with General Motors engines-kickstarting the neoclassic movement of automobiles that melded prewar elegance with postwar American performance and reliability.

This 1965 Excalibur SS is a very early Series 1 example built by Stevens and one of just 56 cars produced for 1965. It is currently finished in Old English White with red lower chassis and matching red interior. It is fitted with chrome tubular bumpers, a folding windscreen with wind wings, a Pilot Ray center light that turns with the steering wheel, stainless steel outside exhaust, and convertible top with side curtains. This example is also equipped with Dayton chrome wire wheels shod in Firestone radial tires, front disc brakes, an engine-turned dash housing original instrumentation, chrome-plated three-spoke steering wheel, bucket seats, tonneau cover, and a luggage rack. The Excalibur SS is powered by a naturally aspirated 327 Corvette V8 producing 300 horsepower and paired with a four-speed manual transmission; weighing under 2,600 pounds, it is properly quick for its era!

This example was originally ordered by a Mr. Orton P. Camp Jr. in Bethany, Connecticut, according to correspondence between Camp and William C. Stevens, General Manager of Excalibur. The vendor purchased the car from Camp in 1974 and the car has remained in their care for the past 51 years.

With its Corvette engine and lightweight construction, this beautifully preserved Series 1 offers peak 1960s American performance combined with elegant pre-war Mercedes styling; a sure head-turner and conversation starter at car shows and on weekend drives alike. It is a modern collectible with tasteful pre-war inspiration eligible and appropriate for the Copperstate 1000 and other such prestigious automotive excursions and car shows.