Excalibur sled coming out of Zig-Zag, notorious for its challenging right to left configuration at Mt. Van Hoevenberg.

David Stevens duscusses Excalibur bobsled engineering and aerodynamic innovations with U.S. bobsledders.

been most encouraging and supportive of the Excalibur bobsled project and insistent that the progress that has been exhibited up to this point be continued.
    The test runs in December and January proved the sled was obviously more maneuverable, slick and capable of cutting a finer line than anything seen before . . . but there were still five seconds between its fastest time and the track record. It was apparent after all modifications and engineering changes had been made, that further runner development was necessary to close the five second gap.
    At a press conference in Lake Placid, David stated Excalibur's commitment to taking the project to fruition and promised he would return with the sled after the Olympics for further testing and evaluation by American drivers.
    The time sheets showed remarkable progress for the Excalibur bobsled since its first run in March of 1979. A total of 34 test runs had reduced the sled's running time by 12 seconds.
    The momentum of the project had to be halted at this time, as the Olympics were imminent and there would not be track time available for further testing.
    It was obvious to all involved in the project that there was at last the potential for an American-made bobsled.
    Needless to say, everyone at the Excalibur factory was disappointed that the sled would not be used by the United States team in the 1980 Olympics. There had been a lot of time and effort put into the project by the employes and they were looking for- ward to seeing the product of their labors on television.

    Their disappointment was short lived, because the sled was very much a part of the bobsled coverage. ABC Sports used it as a camera sled to film the mile long track from the driver's vantage point. Because of the refined suspension system, the footage that resulted gave the viewers a perspective of the track never seen before. All of the chatter that is so evident in film footage shot from conventional bobsleds was totally eliminated on the Excalibur bobsled version. The producer of the bobsled segment of the ABC coverage was ecstatic over the results.
    The Excalibur sled was also used by Owens-Corning for their commercial for

insulation that ran many times during the Olympics.
    Jim Morgan and Paul Vincent, both former USA world bobsled team members and seasoned competitors, have been selected to drive the Excalibur sled next season.
    With aerodynamic improvements in the push apparatus, runner improvement and further weight reduction, Excalibur is convinced it will have a competitive sled.
    This has been an exciting project for Excalibur and certainly one that has given the automobile company exposure and credibility as a manufacturer with creative design in mind.

Shoptalk:
Care For Your Leather Upholstery

Your leather seats add to the beauty of your Excalibur. And here are a few tips on how to restore beauty to those seats when they are soiled.
    The leather may be washed following these simple directions:
    (1) Use lukewarm, not hot or cold water, and any mild soap, (except saddle soap).
    (2) Work up a thin suds on a piece of cheesecloth, and rub over the leather surface.
    (3) Go over the leather again with a piece of damp cheesecloth, this time without soap.
    (4) Finish by wiping with a soft dry cloth, such as a Turkish towel.

    It is good to remember that sufficient oils are incorporated into the leather during tanning to last indefinitely. As the finish is waterproofed, the oil ap- plied to the surface of the leather will in no way affect the hide itself, but it is almost certain to ruin the finish.
    Never use furniture polish, varnishes, or ammonia on your leather, since these are certain to ruin the finish, causing it to become sticky or crack.
    The leather used in the Excalibur is domestic leather, treated with a polyurethane top coat to help resist scuffing. A water-base dye with a lacquer-base finish is used to give higher tensile strength to the leather surface.