Volume V, Issue 3

floor, I spotted the Cadillac Ciel 4-door concept tourer. The doors are suicide configured, for lack of a better term. I understand it has a 200” wheelbase, and no top. It looks interesting and I would like to be able to learn more about it. Well, I have rambled on enough this month. It is time to put this edition in the can and get it out the door!

Last month we experienced our first burp on the site that houses CCC®; scribd®.com. For reasons unknown to me, the site determined our newsletter was some form of spam and so flagged it. In doing so, it pre-vented the newsletter from being accessible to the readership at the normal link. I learned of this problem from my wife. She was not able to access the newsletter from the normal link. I investigated, but was not able to either determine the cause of, or resolve, the problem. Ergo, the second mail-ing with a different, direct link to the Feb issue. To make a long story short, I emailed scribd®, explained my problem and asked that it be investigated and resolved. To their credit, within 2 days it was resolved and things are, hope-fully, back to normal. I do apologize for any difficulty or inconvenience caused. One problem in 4+ years of publishing “ain’t bad,” though? I am instituting an effort to as-certain how many of the 12,212 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88

convertibles originally manufac-tured are still out there. Conven-tional wisdom seems to land on a figure of between 100 and 125; or approximately 1% of original production. This project is limited to 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 convertibles, not 98’s or Starfires. If you have a ‘62 D88 convertible, contact me. Hemmings reports that some-one is trying to revive the Stude-baker name/line. It appears right now the project is still in the idea stage. It further appears there are indeed many obstacles in the way of succeeding in such effort. One thing I do find strange with the business concept is the idea of first producing scooters. Then, they project their first car to be a “high end” Studebaker, costing upwards of $120.000! Here is the web site discussing the new Studebaker Corporation - http://www.studebakermotorcompany.com/home/home/. Take a look for yourself, and form your own opin-ions. I may/may not make it to the Chicago Auto Show in February? Checking out the happenings via one of the live cams on the show

High RPMs

GDYNets® on the Web

Find GDYNets on the web:

CCC® -THE FORUM

http://ccc.activeboard.com

Car Collector Chronicles-scribd

Saved 62 - 1962 Olds web site http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros The Gray Lady - 1955 Cadillac Coupé de Ville web site

SAVED 62: A website devoted to our 1962 Oldsmobile Dy-namic 88 convertible. The site also has a lot of information on Oldsmobiles and its founder, Ransom Eli Olds.

THE GRAY LADY: This web-site features our 1955 Cadillac Coupé de Ville and Caddy in-formation.

DAVE’S DEN: A website de-voted to a myriad of interests. Foremost is extensive informa-tion on the “Steel City” of Gary, IN. There are also offerings on steel making, U.S. Steel-Gary Works, U.S. Marine Corps, M14 assault rifle, of course Oldsmo-bile, and the tragic story of the murder of Gary, IN Police Lt. George Yaros.

A GDYNETS® PUBLICATION © 2012, G. DAVID YAROS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 2012 Car Collector Chronicles

Car Collector Chronicles®

Exploring:

Car Collecting Today

Classic Rides

Reports From the Field

Oldsmobile (1897-2004)

Cadillac (1902- )

Allanté (1987-1993)

Corvair (1960-1969)

IN THIS ISSUE:

High RPMs 1

GDYNets On the Web

1

The Excalibur 2

Excalibur Photo Gallery

4

Follow-up Report

5

In the Year 19 and 62 (Ads/Events)

6

CCC® Forum EMail: OldsD88@gmail.com

The Excalibur stems from the genius of Brooks Stevens. Who is Brooks Stevens you ask? A fair question. He was a Milwaukee born designer by trade. As a child he was afflicted with polio. While con-fined, his father encouraged him to take up drawing. He did, went on to study design in college, and within a year of graduating from Cornell opened his own design studio in 1934.

Among his most recognizable works is the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. The Miller High Life logo is also one of his creations. He was part of the Tucker design team, served as a design consultant with Kaiser-Frazer and worked for Studebaker. The Paxton auto-mobile, designed in 1953 and pictured below, which

never made it into production, was a product of his creative endeavors.

Stevens’ passion was cars. He created the Excalibur J in 1952, a 2-seater roadster. While only three were produced, they were highly ac-claimed. It had a Henry J chassis and a Willys engine. It is generally acknowledged to be the first U.S. made sports car. The Excalibur most recognized would be the vehicle somewhat remi-niscent of the 20’s era Mercedes Benz SSK, on which it was based. This vehicle came into being in 1963 at Studebaker, while the company was in the midst of its death throes. In fact, the car produced was known by all involved as the “Mercebaker.” It was to be a vehicle which would draw the motoring public to the Studebaker display at auto shows throughout the country. However, Studebaker exec, Byers Burlingame, had a change of heart. While the finished design was enroute from Mil-waukee to NYC in April of ‘64, Studebaker decided it could not/should not display a car it was not going to actually produce.

The Excalibur

Car Collector Chronicles Page 2

“The Oscar

Mayer

Weinermobile,

the Miller High

Life logo and

the Paxton

automobile are

among his

most

recognizable

works. He was

part of the

Tucker design

team, served

as a design

consultant with

Kaiser-Frazer

and worked for

Studebaker.”

The New York Auto Show organizer convinced Stevens to show the car anyway. He did. While it was too late to even think of removing the 'Studebaker SS' badging on the car, it was clearly labeled as a "Special Project of Brooks Stevens Design Associates.” Needless to say, the car was a hit, and as they say, “the rest is history.” Orders for 12 cars were taken at the show. The New York Auto Show organizer was also a Chevrolet dealer in NYC. He became the east coast distributor for the Excalibur. That he was brought about the first change in the car. The building which housed his dealership was also home to GM Corporate offices. The proximity of GM execs made him uncomfortable displaying and selling a vehicle the heart of which was a Studebaker engine. Stephens immediately began putting Chevrolet en-gines under the hood. Excalibur Motor Cars was incorporated in August of 1964. The deci-sion was made that the cars would not be massed produced. Rather, they would take their time and manufacture as many components as possible themselves, to avoid dependence on outside suppliers. At one point a production rate of 6 fiberglass bodied cars per hour was at-tained. It was found that quality suffered as a result. Consequently, production was severely geared back to a rate of 4.5 cars a day. By 1970, Excalibur was well established. So much so that it sparked the birth of numerous imitators who cashed in on the demands of a mar-ket that limited Excalibur production could not meet. The Series II Ex-calibur was capable of doing 0-60 in 7 secs., had a top speed of 149 m.p.h. and sported a $13K price tag. The Series II vehicles are the rar-est. Only 342 were produced during this series five year production run. Here are some interesting Excalibur facts: Excalibur titles read “Excalibur” for make — This is because these are not kit cars, unlike other pretenders. Virtually every Excalibur ever built is still on the road. At one point in time Excalibur was the 4th largest U.S. auto manufacturer. Excalibur is the only American automobile manufacturer that will completely disassemble, restore and rebuild any older model to like new condition. Excalibur buyers may select from over 3,000 exterior paint colors - Six coats of paint are applied to every Excalibur, Each paint coat is wet-sanded by hand. The Excalibur has been officially recognized by the AACA as a factory built

antique automobile, as of 2007. 97 of the 3,500 Excalibur cars built have no doors. Only cars from 1965 through 1979 have real working side exhaust pipes. For more Excalibur info, go to its web site: http://www.excaliburclassics.com/index.html See the next page for photos of various Excalibur automobiles.

“The Series II

Excalibur was

capable of

doing 0-60 in 7

secs., had a

top speed of

149 m.p.h. and

sported a

$13K price tag.

The Series II

vehicles are

the rarest.

Only 342 were

produced

during this

series five

year

production

run.”

Car Collector Chronicles Page 3

Car Collector Chronicles Page 4;;

Excalibur Photo Gallery The Excalibur J Circa 1952 Hood Ornament

The man behind the wheel, above, is Brooks Stevens The yellow Excalibur is a 1964 model, and the 4th car made The last picture is of the 1927 Mercedes Benz SSK, on which

the Excalibur is based

Car Collector Chronicles Page 5;;

Follow-up Report In the January issue I opined: I have found that come spring my rides take a long time to initially fire. I have learned that this is due, in part, to the high evaporation rate of ethanol laced fuels. In simple terms, the carburetor fuel bowl(s) is (are) dry. The quickest way, and the least stressful on your starter, to get your ride to fire is to PRIME THE CARBURETOR. If possible, fill the fuel bowls via the external bowl vents before even trying to start the car. Easier said than done. Even though I rebuilt the 4 bbl. carb on THE GRAY LADY myself, I must confess that I was not familiar with carburetor “external bowl vents.” What do they look like? Where are they lo-cated? I went to one of the many fora I frequent and asked what may have seemed to be a dumb question. I received an answer, with accompanying illustration. For those like me, carburetor challenged, and acting on the assumption that a picture is worth a thousand words, here’s a pic of the vents; From/Thanks to http://

forums.AACA.org. Now, to find an old fashioned restaurant style catsup squeeze bottle. It ought to work perfectly as a means of squirting a fresh supply of fuel into the bowl vents at spring startup time?

On Page 6 of this edition you will find our continuing look back to the year 19 and 62. – Ok, I’ve had my say for the month. Now it’s your turn! I invite/encourage submission of your comments, opinions and article contributions. I also ask that you please help spread the word about our publication. Everything sent shall indeed be reviewed by me. Submissions should be sent to CCC® at OldsD88@gmail.com. –– Now that you have finished reading this month’s issue of the newsletter, come start/join an ongoing dialog with other CCC® readers and like-minded car collector folk on the CCC® Forum. Stop by, check us out and share your views … . ______________________________________

-- RESTORE 'EM, AND DRIVE 'EM! COMING NEXT ISSUE: Milwaukee Automobile Manufacturing Chicago Auto Show Report

Car Collector Chronicles Page 6;;

In the Year 19 and 62 The World Which Greeted Saved 62 — Mar ‘62 Mar 1 - The S. S. Kresge Company opens its first Kmart discount store in Garden City, Michigan Mar 9 - Egypt President Nasser declares Gaza belongs to Palestine Mar 24 - Marilyn Monroe and JFK spend weekend together in Palm Springs Mar 29 - Jack Paar makes his final appearance on the "Tonight Show"