SERIES IV DEBUTS
IN CHICAGO

auded by the press and acclaimed by all who saw the sparkling new classic automobile, the Excalibur Series IV Phaeton made a triumphant debut in Chicago in February at the 72nd Annual Chicago Automobile Show at McCormick Place.
      The Series IV was unveiled on February 21, two days prior to the opening of the auto show, at a Press Conference held at the McCormick Inn. Present at the introduction were national automotive trade magazine editors and television and newspaper correspondents. All six United States Excalibur dealers and both Canadian representatives were on hand for the unveiling ceremonies.
      David and Steve Stevens, founders of the Excalibur Automobile Corporation, hosted the Press Conference. David addressed the group on the engineering and design changes in the Series IV. Steve spoke about the marketing philosophy which has been so successful for Excalibur, as well as projected production of the Series IV.
      As the Series IV was unveiled, it was greeted by a round of applause and a chorus of ooh's and ah's. The sculptured lines of the fenders, the magnificent new bumper and the elegant design of the trunk, which is now an integral part of the body design, were the most obvious changes. Creature comforts such as electric windows, six-way power seats, a power operated convertible top and a larger passenger compartment make the Series IV truly a luxury touring car.
      On display at the Press Conference along with the Series IV Phaeton was the Series IV Excalibur chassis. The chassis is designed and engineered by David Stevens and built at the Excalibur factory. Excalibur is unique in the "contemporary classic" automobile industry in that it is the oldest and largest manufacturer.
      The frame is constructed of W wall structural steel tubing. David pointed out in his remarks that the Excalibur frame, weighing in at 1100 pounds, is four times heavier than the frame used on a Seville. The use of thick gauged steel in the construction of the frame gives Excalibur    owners    stability,    safety  and

strength in their automobiles not available in lighter framed Detroit products.

      Both David and Steve stressed during the Press Conference that Excalibur is the only completely manufactured automobile in its field, emphasizing the fact that Excalibur manufactures over 2000 of the 3700 parts that go into the Series IV.
      The new Phaeton, whose price tag is $37,500, has these vital statistics:
      It weighs 4,400 pounds and has a bumper to bumper length of 207 inches. It is 75 inches wide from fender to fender and is 59 inches high with the top up. It has a 305 cubic inch General Motors engine. The Phaeton will average 16 mpg with a 14 mpg EPA estimate in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. The hood and bumpers are of aluminum, the body and fenders of fiberglass and the grill shell and entire exhaust system of stainless steel.
      At the Press Conference both Stevens stressed the investment features of the Series IV, saying that the car should pay for itself in three years. The resale price of a three year old Excalibur has historically matched the purchase price, with a buyer assured of  getting a return

on his investment the fourth year.
      Good news for California residents . . . for the first time in five years, the Excalibur Series IV conforms to California emission standards, which are generally two to three years ahead of those set down by the federal government. Even though the Series III, which was equipped with a 454 cubic inch General Motors engine but did not use a catalytic converter, met federal emission standards, it could not be sold in California. The Series IV, with its 305 cubic inch General Motors engine and catalytic converter, now conforms to both federal and California emission standards.




Editor's note: Proof of the popularity of the Series IV was dramatically borne out with the Stevens' announcement that the 1980 Series IV Phaeton is sold out and names are being taken for the 1981 Series IV, which will be available after October, 1980. The two seater Roadster, which will have a rumble seat, will be introduced in October.

David and Steve Stevens with Series IV phaeton at the Chicago Auto Show.