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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe Excalibur Phaeton paired prewar European-inspired styling with contemporary American engineering, creating a Milwaukee-built luxury car that was dramatic to look at and more practical to service than an authentic prewar classic. It was not a kit car or a Mercedes-Benz replica: it was an original, factory-produced American automobile, often described as a “contemporary classic.” Within Excalibur’s lineup, the four-seat Phaeton became the dominant model, with its production peak in the Series III years.
What Was the Excalibur Phaeton?
Designed by industrial designer Brooks Stevens, the Excalibur drew heavily on the appearance of the 1928 Mercedes-Benz SSK, including its upright grille, separate fenders, long hood, and exposed exhaust treatment. But the Phaeton was not an authentic Mercedes, a licensed copy, or simply a body placed on a customer’s donor car. Excalibur built complete cars, combining distinctive fiberglass bodywork with modern American mechanical components.
The four-seat Phaeton joined the range in 1966 alongside the sportier roadster. Its rear seats and touring-oriented format helped it appeal to buyers who wanted the Excalibur’s theatrical style with more everyday usefulness. Historical accounts identify the Phaeton as the company’s dominant body style.
Brooks Stevens, Studebaker, and the Excalibur’s Origins
In 1963, Studebaker asked Stevens to prepare special cars for motor-show display. The Excalibur concept used a Studebaker Lark convertible chassis and a lightweight body that evoked the Mercedes-Benz SSK. Its prototype used Studebaker power, but the company’s declining position and the end of its V8 availability led to a switch to Chevrolet Corvette-derived engines for production cars.
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- Vehicle Fitment: Brhaspatip 1 Automatic Transmission Manual Shaft Seal for Excalibur Phaeton 1970 1971 1986 1987 1988 1989 5.7L V8, for Hummer H3T 2009 2010 5.3L V8
- Package Included: 1 Automatic Transmission Manual Shaft Seal
- Supporting Vehicle Condition: Designed to support original vehicle performance, helping reduce operational noise or excess vibration. By maintaining system effectiveness, it contributes to smoother daily driving experience.
- Precise Fit, Easy Installation: Designed to original specifications for direct fitment with your vehicle's existing structure. The straightforward installation process accommodates both DIY users and professional service needs.
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SS Automobiles was established in 1964 and reorganized as Excalibur Automobile Corporation in 1966. The company built its cars in Milwaukee. A 1966 Society of Automotive Engineers paper discussed the engineering challenges of producing a low-volume “contemporary classic,” supporting the distinction between Excalibur and a home-built kit-car operation.
How the Excalibur Phaeton Evolved
Excalibur changed its chassis, components, and equipment over time. The broad pattern was a move from early Studebaker-derived hardware toward more purpose-developed frames and Chevrolet components, while the styling retained its prewar-inspired character.
| Series | Period | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Series I | 1965–1969 | Early cars used Studebaker Lark-derived chassis; Chevrolet 327-cubic-inch V8s replaced the unavailable Studebaker engine supply. The Phaeton and roadster followed the first step-over design. |
| Series II | Beginning in 1970 | Introduced a purpose-developed ladder frame, Corvette suspension and four-wheel disc-brake components, and Chevrolet V8 power. Sales were initially uneven. |
| Series III | 1975–1979 | Revised chassis and body details responded to changing safety and homologation requirements. The Chevrolet 454-cubic-inch V8 became closely associated with the series, with emissions equipment affecting advertised output. |
| Series IV | Beginning in 1980 | A major redesign brought larger bumpers, a divided windshield, more enclosed bodywork, and a Chevrolet small-block V8. The range increasingly emphasized luxury and comfort. |
Descriptions of engine output and equipment should be tied to a particular year and configuration: specifications changed across series, and not every Phaeton had the same engine, chassis, or components.
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- Vehicle Fitment: Brhaspatip 1 Automatic Transmission Manual Shaft Seal for Excalibur Phaeton 1965 4.7L V8, for Fiat 124 1973 1.4L l4
- Package Included: 1 Automatic Transmission Manual Shaft Seal
- Supporting Vehicle Condition: Designed to support original vehicle performance, helping reduce operational noise or excess vibration. By maintaining system effectiveness, it contributes to smoother daily driving experience.
- Precise Fit, Easy Installation: Designed to original specifications for direct fitment with your vehicle's existing structure. The straightforward installation process accommodates both DIY users and professional service needs.
- Notice&Service: Ensure your exact vehicle is covered by referring to the compatibility list on the listing page for detailed submodel information.
Why the Phaeton Became Excalibur’s Best-Known Model
The Phaeton’s appeal rested on a useful contrast: its appearance recalled a European sporting car from another era, while its American powertrain and supplier components made it a new car rather than a fragile antique. The four-seat layout also gave it a touring role that the two-seat roadster did not offer in the same way.
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Series III: The Production High Point
Series III was the Phaeton’s commercial high point. One commonly reproduced production table records 82 Phaetons in 1975, 173 in 1976, 222 in 1977, 248 in 1978, and 340 in 1979, for a reported series total of 1,065. Other published sources give a different Series III total, so those figures should be treated as source-dependent rather than definitive factory records. The consistent finding is that Series III was the peak period and the Phaeton made up most of the series’ production.
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- Vehicle Fitment: Brhaspatip 1 Automatic Transmission Manual Shaft Seal for Checker Taxicab 1969 5.3L V8, for Excalibur Phaeton 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 5.0L V8
- Package Included: 1 Automatic Transmission Manual Shaft Seal
- Supporting Vehicle Condition: Designed to support original vehicle performance, helping reduce operational noise or excess vibration. By maintaining system effectiveness, it contributes to smoother daily driving experience.
- Precise Fit, Easy Installation: Designed to original specifications for direct fitment with your vehicle's existing structure. The straightforward installation process accommodates both DIY users and professional service needs.
- Notice&Service: Ensure your exact vehicle is covered by referring to the compatibility list on the listing page for detailed submodel information.
| Model year | Reported Series III Phaetons |
|---|---|
| 1975 | 82 |
| 1976 | 173 |
| 1977 | 222 |
| 1978 | 248 |
| 1979 | 340 |
Specialist histories also report annual company production rising to 237 cars in 1977, 263 in 1978, and 367 in 1979. Those figures help explain why the Phaeton’s Series III run is central to its reputation, though company-wide totals and model-specific totals should not be conflated.
How Many Excaliburs Were Built?
Published estimates for total Excalibur production differ. Accounts cite figures such as 3,268, more than 3,400, and more than 3,500 cars, sometimes including cars produced under later ownership. The available figures establish a low-thousands production scale, but they do not support presenting one exact total as an undisputed factory count.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11“America’s most successful replica car” is a familiar shorthand, but it needs context. If “replica” means a modern car inspired by an earlier classic, the description fits the Phaeton’s styling. If it means a kit or dimensionally faithful copy, it does not. Excalibur was a factory-built American luxury car, and the Phaeton was the most successful model within that company’s range.
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Preserving and Owning a Phaeton
Excalibur ownership combines relatively familiar American-car mechanicals with parts and documentation needs specific to the marque. Specialist sources continue to offer some custom or modified parts, owner manuals, parts books, wiring diagrams, and technical advice. General parts catalogs can help identify possible service items, but fitment should be verified rather than assumed.
The Antique Automobile Club of America recognized Excalibur as a factory-built antique automobile in 2007. That recognition reflects the distinction between a manufactured Excalibur and a home-built kit, while the car’s continued preservation still depends on finding marque-specific parts and records.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Was the Excalibur Phaeton a kit car?
No. Excalibur was a factory-built, low-volume automobile manufacturer. The Phaeton used a distinctive fiberglass body and American mechanical components, but it was sold as a complete car, not as a kit for owners to assemble.
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Was the Excalibur an official Mercedes-Benz replica?
No. Its design drew heavily on the 1928 Mercedes-Benz SSK, but the Excalibur was an original American car, not a Mercedes-Benz product or an officially licensed copy.
Why was the Phaeton more successful than the roadster?
The four-seat Phaeton kept the Excalibur’s dramatic styling while offering rear seating and a more usable touring format. Historical accounts identify it as the dominant body style, especially during the Series III production peak.
How many Excaliburs were made?
Published estimates vary, including figures of 3,268, more than 3,400, and more than 3,500. The sources support describing total production as a few thousand cars, but not treating one exact figure as definitive.
Are Excalibur parts easy to find?
Some mechanical components are based on widely used supplier parts, but body panels, trim, brightwork, and other Excalibur-specific items can be harder to source. Check fitment by series, model year, and component rather than assuming a general catalog listing will fit.
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