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1979' Excalibur Convertible
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€41,800Published 11 July 2017ID: 9EL5Ml
Expired
7 years, 3 months ago
7 years, 3 months ago
Information from the owner
Age: 38 years
Exterior color: White
Interior: Air Conditioning
Electronics: AM/FM Radio
Seller's comments about 1979' Excalibur Convertible
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 Engine
400 Hydro Automatic Transmission
Factory A/C
1973 Ford 'Silver Moondust' Body Paint (Code ID)
1973 Ford Black Chassis & Fenders (Code IC)
Black Leather interior
Reverse Pin Striping
Bolt on Wire Wheels
Luggage Trunk
Large Headlights
Automatic Factory Air Conditioning
Power Antenna
Bucket Seats
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Leather Interior
Trumpet Horns
Removable Hardtop w/Side Curtains
White Wall Radial Tires
This 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!
Factory options:
1979 Excalibur SS Phaeton Series III
GM 454ci Big Block Engine
400 Hydro Automatic Transmission
Factory A/C
1973 Ford 'Silver Moondust' Body Paint (Code ID)
1973 Ford Black Chassis & Fenders (Code IC)
Black Leather interior
Reverse Pin Striping
Bolt on Wire Wheels
Luggage Trunk
Large Headlights
Automatic Factory Air Conditioning
Power Antenna
Bucket Seats
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Leather Interior
Trumpet Horns
Removable Hardtop w/Side Curtains
White Wall Radial Tires
This 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!
