Excalibur SS Series II

Manufacturer	Excalibur
Production	1970 to 1974
Class	Luxury
Layout	Roadster,convertible
Drive	Rear
Engine	Chevrolet V8
Transmission	Auto or manual
wheel base:	111 in, 2,819 mm

 

The Excalibur SS Series II was a luxury car built from 1970 to 1974 in the USA.

History

Excalibur was well established by 1970, but it had spawned a slew of imitators who were helping to meet market needs that the limited Excalibur production couldn't meet. The Stevens brothers were hesitant to expand their manufacturing rate for fear of jeopardising the immaculate construction quality they desired for the public. So they introduced the Excalibur Series II, a completely new automobile that retained the S1's design.

As the old Studebaker Lark chassis was no longer built, David designed a new ladder chassis which had a two-inch longer wheelbase. The suspension components were borrowed from the Corvette, as was the four-disc braking system. Tire size went up and the rubbers were mounted on wheels especially designed for the car. The 327 ci. inch (5400 cc) V-8 engine bowed down to the new 350 cu. inch (5700 cc) unit which, with its anti-pollution equipment still managed to develop a healthy 300 hp. The "Muncie" four-speed manual transmission became standard, with a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed unit available as an option.

From a price of $6000-$7250 for the S1, the Excalibur SII went up to $12,000 -$13,000 but justified that extra cost with its supplementary equipment. This included 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.

Despite the added mass of this luxurious equipment, the Excalibur Series II was capable of really sporting performance: 0-60 mph in under 7 seconds and a top speed of 149 mph! Unfortunately the production figures showed a steep decline at first with only 37 cars in 1970 and none whatsoever in 1971. What happened next is quite inexplicable, for from a production of zero in 1971, the figure rose to 122 the next year. Today the Excalibur Series II remains the rarest of all Excaliburs, with a total production number of only 342 against the Series I's 359.

PERFORMANCE

• max power (SAE): 300 hp at 4,800 rpm
• max torque (SAE): 380 ib ft. 52.4 kg m at 3,200 rpm
• max engine rpm: 5,800;
• specific power: 52.3 hp/l
• power-weight ratio: 9.2 lb/hp, 4.2 kg/hp
• acceleration: standing 1/4 mile 14 sec, 0-50 mph (0-80 km/h) 5 sec
• speed in direct drive at 1,000 rpm: 25 mph, 40.2 km/h
• fuel consumption: 18 m/ imp gal, 15 m/ US gal, 15.7 1 x 100 km.
• max speeds:
• 72 mph, 116 km/h in 1st gear
• 97 mph, 156 km/h in 2nd gear
• 126 mph, 203 km/h in 3rd gear
• 155 mph, 250 km/h in 4th gear

The reason was that David and Steve decided to retool the chassis and install a new engine. The first few series II cars built in 1970 had a box type rear frame section with a Chevrolet Camaro front frame stub bolted on. Then in 1972 the chassis was a new one, although still a ladder-type affair, 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 an equally new engine, a Chevrolet Mk IV 454 cu. inch (7500 cc) big-block V8 which were being used in the Corvettes at the time. They offered the power to go with the looks. This was used through 1974.

To date, the 1970 Excalibur Series II remains the rarest of all Excaliburs, with a total production number of only 37 cars - 11 Roadsters and 26 phaetons.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
Turbo Hydramatic automatic gear-box with 3 ratios 2.480, II 1.480, III 1, rev 2.077
hardtop
air-conditioning system.