Drivetrain
Chassis
Body
Super original 1968 Excalibur SSK Roadster with just 15,000 original miles on the odometer! Having just two owners for most of its life, it remained largely untouched with a unique survivor patina when located by its most recent owner! Powered by its original 327ci/300hp V8 with very rare Dual Gate automatic transmission! Full-fendered example with hinged doors! A very special buy from Excalibur!
The original Excalibur was the brainchild of Studebaker's Brooks Stevens, who took inspiration from the famous Mercedes-Benz SSK and decided to make a more modern interpretation. Originally designed in 1964 over a Studebaker chassis with their 289ci V8, Studebaker's demise forced the project in a different direction and connections ultimately landed the car with Corvette power. Taking into account the car's 2100 pounds and optional 350 horsepower V8 mated to a 4-speed manual, the car was sensationally quick, able to get to 60 mph in just over five seconds and with a top speed of 160mph! Prices started at $7500, which all but eliminated the average man from buying a new one. Their style and performance have endured as one of the most stylish performance cars of the 1960's, so today offer a very unique opportunity to collectors to own a special antique automobile!
This 1968 Excalibur Series I SSK Roadster retains a virtually all original exterior, with only a modest restoration to the interior. The exterior was special ordered with a Dark Green Metallic lacquer body, polished aluminum hood, and Black lacquer fenders & running boards! The interior seating upholstery is new, as is the soft top, but the interior carpet, door panels, and cabin surround remain original. This car was special ordered through the Vintage Car Store in Nyack, New York and sold new to a doctor located in Douglaston, NY on July 8th, 1968. It was said to have stayed with this original owner most its life, before finding its way to Florida where it was stored for the better part of the past two decades. It was sourced out of Florida in early 2016 by its third owner who commissioned an extensive mechanical restoration by Camelot Classic Cars, still based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and current Excalibur parts experts & vehicle production registry.
Once in the capable hands of Camelot Classic Cars, this SSK Roadster was thoroughly serviced to ensure it was safe for road use once again. First addressed was the braking system with new front calipers, pads, & rotors; new master cylinder & rebuilt booster; new front & rear rubber brake hoses; new rear wheel cylinders; turned rear drums; and all new brake fluid. The entire driveline would receive new gaskets where accessible. This included new engine oil pan gasket, valve cover gaskets, transmission pan gasket with new filter, rear differential gasket & pinion seal. Fresh fluids and rear gear lube would be renewed respectively. The radiator would be flushed and cleaned, new thermostat & gasket installed, then refilled with fresh antifreeze with new radiator cap.
The suspension would be treated to all new front & rear shocks, inner & outer tie rods, tie rod sleeves, new steering damper, jounce stops front & rear, repacked wheel bearings, and fully lubricated chassis. The drive belts would be replaced along with new spark plugs, plug wire set with new thermo boots, distributor cap & rotor, new battery, and battery cables. The fuel tank was removed & cleaned, and reinstalled with new fuel sending unit & filter sock, vent tube & clamps, with clean fuel filter. All five radial tires and inner tubes were replaced for new rubber.
Many additional items were replaced, not limited to new horns, new hood strap, new outer stainless steel exhaust ducts, inner stainless steel exhaust flex tubes, outside mirrors, and more! All of this servicing was completed by Camelot in May 2016, with additional tuning completed April 2017 by Bach Racecraft in Verona, WI to include a full Rochester carburetor rebuild with new float & filter. Bach Racecraft would also upgrade the engine oil to Brad Penn 30W with new filter, swap the transmission again with a fresh filter, replace the shifter shaft seal, install a new mechanical fuel pump, and further dial in the running capacity. Today, the odometer reads only 15,446 miles, and this Excalibur Series I SSK Roadster deserves the chance to be on the open road once again! It may possess some imperfections and general patina from age, but it certainly doesn't take away from the rarity it represents. Only 37 SSK Roadsters were produced in 1968, and records provided indicate only four of those units were fitted with an automatic transmission! A special Excalibur no doubt, and certainly one to consider enjoying now while contemplating a future restoration! Please call with question or to schedule a chance to review this lovely Series I Roadster in person!
1968 Excalibur
SSK Roadster
Quick Specs
Highlights
- One of only 37 Excalibur SSK Roadsters produced in 1968, and one of just four with a Dual Gate automatic transmission
- Very original, survivor patina in factory ordered colors and polished aluminum hood
- Equipped with original 327ci V8/ 300 horsepower engine
- Reported as having just three owners from new
- Showing just 15,446 actual miles on the odometer
Description
Super original 1968 Excalibur SSK Roadster with just 15,000 original miles on the odometer! Having just two owners for most of its life, it remained largely untouched with a unique survivor patina when located by its most recent owner! Powered by its original 327ci/300hp V8 with very rare Dual Gate automatic transmission! Full-fendered example with hinged doors! A very special buy from Excalibur!
The original Excalibur was the brainchild of Studebaker's Brooks Stevens, who took inspiration from the famous Mercedes-Benz SSK and decided to make a more modern interpretation. Originally designed in 1964 over a Studebaker chassis with their 289ci V8, Studebaker's demise forced the project in a different direction and connections ultimately landed the car with Corvette power. Taking into account the car's 2100 pounds and optional 350 horsepower V8 mated to a 4-speed manual, the car was sensationally quick, able to get to 60 mph in just over five seconds and with a top speed of 160mph! Prices started at $7500, which all but eliminated the average man from buying a new one. Their style and performance have endured as one of the most stylish performance cars of the 1960's, so today offer a very unique opportunity to collectors to own a special antique automobile!
This 1968 Excalibur Series I SSK Roadster retains a virtually all original exterior, with only a modest restoration to the interior. The exterior was special ordered with a Dark Green Metallic lacquer body, polished aluminum hood, and Black lacquer fenders & running boards! The interior seating upholstery is new, as is the soft top, but the interior carpet, door panels, and cabin surround remain original. This car was special ordered through the Vintage Car Store in Nyack, New York and sold new to a doctor located in Douglaston, NY on July 8th, 1968. It was said to have stayed with this original owner most its life, before finding its way to Florida where it was stored for the better part of the past two decades. It was sourced out of Florida in early 2016 by its third owner who commissioned an extensive mechanical restoration by Camelot Classic Cars, still based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and current Excalibur parts experts & vehicle production registry.
Once in the capable hands of Camelot Classic Cars, this SSK Roadster was thoroughly serviced to ensure it was safe for road use once again. First addressed was the braking system with new front calipers, pads, & rotors; new master cylinder & rebuilt booster; new front & rear rubber brake hoses; new rear wheel cylinders; turned rear drums; and all new brake fluid. The entire driveline would receive new gaskets where accessible. This included new engine oil pan gasket, valve cover gaskets, transmission pan gasket with new filter, rear differential gasket & pinion seal. Fresh fluids and rear gear lube would be renewed respectively. The radiator would be flushed and cleaned, new thermostat & gasket installed, then refilled with fresh antifreeze with new radiator cap.
The suspension would be treated to all new front & rear shocks, inner & outer tie rods, tie rod sleeves, new steering damper, jounce stops front & rear, repacked wheel bearings, and fully lubricated chassis. The drive belts would be replaced along with new spark plugs, plug wire set with new thermo boots, distributor cap & rotor, new battery, and battery cables. The fuel tank was removed & cleaned, and reinstalled with new fuel sending unit & filter sock, vent tube & clamps, with clean fuel filter. All five radial tires and inner tubes were replaced for new rubber.
Many additional items were replaced, not limited to new horns, new hood strap, new outer stainless steel exhaust ducts, inner stainless steel exhaust flex tubes, outside mirrors, and more! All of this servicing was completed by Camelot in May 2016, with additional tuning completed April 2017 by Bach Racecraft in Verona, WI to include a full Rochester carburetor rebuild with new float & filter. Bach Racecraft would also upgrade the engine oil to Brad Penn 30W with new filter, swap the transmission again with a fresh filter, replace the shifter shaft seal, install a new mechanical fuel pump, and further dial in the running capacity. Today, the odometer reads only 15,446 miles, and this Excalibur Series I SSK Roadster deserves the chance to be on the open road once again! It may possess some imperfections and general patina from age, but it certainly doesn't take away from the rarity it represents. Only 37 SSK Roadsters were produced in 1968, and records provided indicate only four of those units were fitted with an automatic transmission! A special Excalibur no doubt, and certainly one to consider enjoying now while contemplating a future restoration! Please call with question or to schedule a chance to review this lovely Series I Roadster in person!