1966 Excalibur SS

This 1966 Excalibur Series I SS Roadster is a beautiful example that runs and drives exceedingly well. The paint and chrome are in good condition as is the interior which is clean and usable. Taking inspiration from the classic pre-war lines of Mercedes-Benz sports cars, the Excalibur Automobile Corporation was established in 1964 by Brooks Stevens in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They produced what was at the time labeled “The Contemporary Classic” automobile, with classic looks and modern reliability. All cars were built on custom steel frames and utilized Chevrolet Corvette drivetrain and suspension. This highly sought-after and collectible Series I Excalibur SS Roadster is not to be missed. The Excalibur story began in 1964 when renowned industrial designer, Brooks Stevens, at that time working as a consultant to Studebaker, was asked to design a show car for that year’s New York Auto Show. An avid automobile enthusiast and collector, Stevens was a fan of the pre-war Mercedes-Benz SSK and sold the idea of a ‘contemporary classic’ take on the German sports car to Studebaker, who were at that time Mercedes importers. For the ‘Mercebaker’, Stevens used a modified Studebaker Daytona chassis, which was clothed in retro-styled lightweight coachwork that he had first sketched on a place-mat one lunchtime. Built in just eight weeks, the prototype Excalibur SS was ready three days before the New York Auto Show where it caused something of a sensation, albeit too late to save the ailing Studebaker Corporation. A long list of potential buyers resulted, one of whom – a Chevrolet dealer – asked if the car could be built with a Chevrolet engine. Stevens was only too happy to oblige. An advertisement in the Wall Street Journal generated sufficient deposits to enable production to start, and in 1966 the company moved into premises in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.