Requested by Studebaker and inspired by the Mercedes-Benz SSK, the Excalibur was the brainchild of designer Brooks Stevens. By the time the project got started, Studebaker had a new president, Byers Burlingame, who nixed it, so Stevens took it under his own wing. A Lark convertible chassis was modified to move the engine aft, and an aluminum speedster body built to fit. It was the hit of the 1964 New York auto show, and orders started rolling in.

When Studebaker left Indiana for Canada, engine supplies dried up, so Stevens shifted to small-block Chevys, as did Studebaker for the final years of production. A four-passenger Phaeton was added in 1967, and Excalibur Series I production continued into 1969. The excellent proportions of the original design are often preferred over the subsequent models.

This white with gold chassis Series I example is the “no-doors” version with a black vinyl top and side curtains, along with a tan interior. The car is driven by a 327-cid, 300-hp V-8 engine with a corresponding four-speed manual floor-shift transmission. Power brakes, radio, full instrumentation, faux side pipes on both sides, rear-mounted spare, luggage rack and chrome wire wheels give this Excalibur Series I Roadster a period feel.