Excaliber cars-how many were built ?

[Bill Wells]

does anyone know how many Excaliber cars were built during their life cycle, and were there more than one series offered over time ? ie, stopped prodn at one time, and then started up again, or ? this question came up in a conversation recently and the guesses of their total build varied considerably. I know someone here has the correct answer. thanks. Bill

[Excaliber]

Ohekk is the "keeper of the flame" for Excaliburs. He started a registry some time ago.

Excalibur Owners: Please Reply!

Once production started it never stopped until the "end". Estimated build number is about 150-160. The build number of any Excalibur Cobra is included in the VIN. Mine was the 33rd car built.

Several of the cars are in Germany, the "factory" was purchased by a couple of "German" guys and THEY started building Cobras.

A few were offered with Super Chargers, but 95% were 302 HO injected with 5 speeds. A/C was a popular option and ALL the cars came with an evaporator/heater package all ready installed (just add a compressor and condensor). A FEW hardtops were made but ALL came with a hartz cloth soft top.

Quality was pretty good. Made with mostly all "new" parts SOME items were remanufactured (alternator, 9" rear end). Engine/trans were BRAND NEW Ford factory units.

Somebody recently started making them AGAIN using the original molds. BUT without a Federal Exemption like the first ones had the "new" ones will compete directly with the other "replicas" for market share. Thus they will be a "roller".

Ernie

[ohekk]

How many were built depends on who you ask!

Some say as low as 109 and some say as many as 323.

My research has found that over 300 bodies were pulled from the molds. (many were sold seperately or traded for services)

Excalibur kept very poor records and most of that was dumped when the production lines were shut down.

175 VIN numbers were issued though the highest number assigned is #167.

I've also discovered that several VIN #'s were skipped (unused) and several cars were re-VIN'd ( example: built in '94 with a '94 VIN then re-VIN'd and sold as a '95.)

Two were wrecked and "re-bodied"

My best guess to date is 132 total.

"DLS" here on CC had the last (uncompleted) Cobra from the line.
which he recently sold.

I have 2 Excaliburs including the very "Last One" to leave the plant. (components only)

As for changes, very few through the short production period.(approx 3 years)

The first (and possibly the second...which I'm still trying to confirm) had a 351, the rest had the 5.0.

NOTE: There is also the black "R&D" Excalibur with the 4.6L Cobra engine, which could be argued as the "last"

Two were sold with superchargers.

Two were sold with the hard top option, and my "Last One" makes three.

Hope this helps!

[ohekk]

of course my knowledge and interest is the Excalibur Cobra!

As you know, The Excalibur Automobile Company had a very distinctive and colorful history.

It was founded in 1964 by Brooks Stevens and his sons. They built those neo-classic roadsters, phaetons and limos.

So to answer your question, Yes there were several editions of those. Something like a Series I, Series II, II, IV, V and the Limited. Each series represented approx a five year run.

The company went bankrupt twice, had three seperate owners with the most recent the aforementioned gentlemen from Germany who started the Cobra line.

As with the Excalibur Cobra, those early Excalibur Automobiles are becoming very sought after by some collectors.

EMAIL me if you desire more info about those early years.

I can put you in touch with someone in the know

[Bill Wells]

Ernie/Excal and Ohekk..

thanks for the very informative replies. I have forwarded the info to the group I was chatting with when the question came up.

Not sure how I originally posted my question in the NE Cobra Enthusiasts area, sorry folks. I am NOT Bill Gates tutor.

Again, thanks guys for the replys. Bill.

[computerworks]

...moved to All Cobra Talk

[1993Excalibur]

Originally Posted by ohekk

How many were built depends on who you ask!

Some say as low as 109 and some say as many as 323.

My research has found that over 300 bodies were pulled from the molds. (many were sold seperately or traded for services)

Excalibur kept very poor records and most of that was dumped when the production lines were shut down.

175 VIN numbers were issued though the highest number assigned is #167.

I've also discovered that several VIN #'s were skipped (unused) and several cars were re-VIN'd ( example: built in '94 with a '94 VIN then re-VIN'd and sold as a '95.)

Two were wrecked and "re-bodied"

My best guess to date is 132 total.

"DLS" here on CC had the last (uncompleted) Cobra from the line.
which he recently sold.

I have 2 Excaliburs including the very "Last One" to leave the plant. (components only)

As for changes, very few through the short production period.(approx 3 years)

The first (and possibly the second...which I'm still trying to confirm) had a 351, the rest had the 5.0.

NOTE: There is also the black "R&D" Excalibur with the 4.6L Cobra engine, which could be argued as the "last"

Two were sold with superchargers.

Two were sold with the hard top option, and my "Last One" makes three.

Hope this helps!

You are correct on the 1 and 2 and I have 1J 003 which has the 5.0 in it.