Excalibur Series III
| Excalibur | |
|---|---|
 Excalibur Series III Phaeton
|
|
| Series III | |
| Production period: | 1975-1980 |
| Class : | Sports car |
| Body versions : | Roadster , touring car |
| Engines: |
Otto engine : 7.4 liters (158 kW) |
| Length: | 4445 mm |
| Width: | 1829 mm |
| Height: | 1473 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 2845 mm |
| Empty weight : | 2115 kg |
| Previous model | Excalibur Series II |
| successor | Excalibur Series IV |
The Excalibur Series III is a passenger car produced by the US Excalibur Automobile Corporation .
description
In the 1975 model year, the third series of the Excalibur appeared as the successor to the Excalibur Series II . The design corresponded apart from minor modifications to the Series II. A source says, however, that the appearance more of the Mercedes-Benz 380 K possible. The Roadster and the more successful Phaeton were also offered. The main changes compared to Series II related to the drive technology and - above all - the adaptation of the body to the American safety regulations. Solid aluminum bumpers were installed at the front and rear. The front fenders were now covered on the sides to reduce the risk of injury. Finally, there were shoulder-high individual seats with safety belts. The measures made the Excalibur models noticeably heavier and more unwieldy; the curb weight increased by almost 800 kg to more than two tons.
The drive was now the 7.4 liter big block V8 engine (454 cin) from the Chevrolet Corvette , the output of which was specified with a comparatively modest 158 kW (215 SAE PS) in terms of American emission regulations. The increased weight was reflected in the performance of the vehicles. The top speed dropped to 180 km / h. At the same time, consumption increased significantly. According to information from auto motor und sport, it was between 25 and 30 liters per 100 kilometers.
A special design detail of the Series III was the use of light units from the VW Beetle : the Beetle's indicators were mounted on the front fenders, and the rear fenders carried the large round taillights (so-called elephant feet) of the VW Beetle 1303. The Phaeton had a large one separate case available, which was installed at the rear of the car.
The Excalibur Series III was the small company's most successful model to date. According to a source, 1,141 vehicles were built between 1975 and 1979, although at the same time a number of competitors, including the French-born Alain Clénet , entered the American market with his own products based on Ford components.
With a 2845 mm wheelbase, the vehicles were 4445 mm long, 1829 mm wide and 1473 mm high.
The front fenders were tapered long and covered on the sides, in contrast to earlier models. Two spare wheels were placed upright next to the bonnet and mostly disguised. On the front bumper there were two rubber-clad impact surfaces, as they were already in some versions before.
The successor was the larger Excalibur Series IV in 1980 .
Series III Phaeton
Series III Phaeton; the taillights come from the VW Beetle
Excalibur Series III Phaeton. The adaptations of the front end to the American safety regulations are clearly visible.
Production numbers
There are different details about the production figures.
| vintage | Roadster | Phaeton | Total source 1 | Total source 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 8th | 82 | 90 | - |
| 1976 | 11 | 173 | 184 | 250 |
| 1977 | 15th | 222 | 237 | 250 |
| 1978 | 15th | 248 | 263 | 295 |
| 1979 | 27 | 340 | 367 | 295 |
| 1980 | - | - | - | 95 |
| total | 76 | 1065 | 1141 | 1185 |
literature
- Richard M. Langworth: Encyclopedia of American Cars 1930-1980. New York 1984, ISBN 0-517-42462-2 . (English)
- Roger Gloor: All cars from the 1970s. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-613-02440-3 , p. 137.
- James M. Flammang: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976-1986. Krause Publications, Iola 1988, ISBN 0-87341-113-7 , 423-424. (English)
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b James M. Flammang: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976–1986. Krause Publications, Iola 1988, ISBN 0-87341-113-7 , pp. 423-424. (English)
- ↑ a b c Production figures on the German Excalibur fansite (accessed on December 31, 2016)