Inside the 1962 Excalibur RS Roadster: A Final Vision Realized

Some vehicles defy categorization entirely, transcending conventional transportation to become rolling sculptures that challenge our understanding of automotive design. The 1962 Excalibur RS Roadster stands as one such creation. This extraordinary machine, preparing to cross Mecum’s auction block on May 16, carries exceptional craftsmanship while embodying the culmination of a design legend’s vision.

Photo: Mecum

Brooks Stevens shaped American industrial design for decades, his creative genius touching everything from household appliances to transportation icons. The rugged Jeep Wagoneer, the streamlined Studebaker Hawk, and the whimsical Oscar Mayer Wienermobile all bear his distinctive touch. Stevens possessed that rare ability to infuse everyday objects with personality while maintaining their functional integrity.

Genesis of a Design Icon

The Excalibur RS represents something far more personal in Stevens’ extensive portfolio—a final automotive statement conceptualized in the early 1990s but destined to remain unrealized during his lifetime.

Photo: Mecum

Though bearing a 1962 designation that connects it to Stevens’ earlier works, the Roadster’s story stretches across decades, bridging classic design philosophy with modern execution. This temporal duality creates something that exists simultaneously in multiple eras, refusing easy classification while demanding appreciation on its own unique terms.

The “RS” namesake honors Robert Shaw, Stevens’ longtime friend who undertook the monumental task of transforming concept sketches into tangible reality. Shaw completed the vehicle in 2006, working from the designer’s original vision while incorporating contemporary engineering solutions.

This wasn’t simply a restoration or recreation but the birth of something entirely new yet spiritually connected to Stevens’ design language. Where most posthumous projects might attempt to rigidly adhere to original concepts, Shaw understood that Stevens’ genius lay in his adaptability and forward-thinking approach.

Engineering the Impossible

The foundation of any extraordinary automobile begins with its underlying structure, and the Excalibur RS demonstrates exceptional engineering beneath its dramatic skin. Chuck Rahn developed a tubular steel spaceframe chassis specifically for this project, creating a rigid platform that supports the car’s theatrical bodywork while delivering sports car handling characteristics.

Photo: Mecum

Unlike modified production platforms that often compromise a custom vehicle’s performance, this ground-up approach allowed for optimized weight distribution and structural integrity without design limitations.

The spaceframe construction—a technique borrowed from racing applications—provides exceptional torsional rigidity while minimizing mass. Every mounting point, every suspension pickup, every structural member was placed with deliberate purpose.

Photo: Mecum

The chassis incorporates modern suspension geometry with adjustable components, allowing the car’s handling characteristics to be fine-tuned to the owner’s preferences. This foundation represents the perfect marriage of old-school craftsmanship and contemporary engineering knowledge.

Racing-derived solutions appear throughout the underpinnings. Pushrod suspension components, adjustable anti-roll bars, and precision-machined mounting points create a platform that’s as technically sophisticated as it is visually impressive.

Sculptural Bodywork

Perhaps nothing defines the Excalibur RS more immediately than its hand-formed aluminum bodywork. In an age of computer-designed, machine-stamped panels, the Roadster’s body represents countless hours of skilled artisanship.

Photo: Mecum

Each curve and character line was painstakingly shaped by craftsmen working with traditional tools and techniques that have largely disappeared from modern automotive production. The body draws inspiration from Stevens’ earlier 1961 Excalibur Hawk Coupe but incorporates thoroughly modern elements that create a unique visual identity.

Photo: Mecum

The most theatrical of these features are undoubtedly the Lamborghini Murciélago-style scissor doors. When opened, they transform the car’s silhouette entirely, creating a dramatic entrance and exit experience while emphasizing the vehicle’s exclusive nature.

Photo: Mecum

The front end takes substantial inspiration from the legendary Ford GT40, with its low-slung profile and aggressive stance suggesting performance capabilities that match its visual drama. A low-profile polycarbonate windshield completes the race-inspired aesthetic, offering minimal wind protection in service of the car’s striking appearance.

The body’s proportions defy conventional automotive design rules, with an exceptionally wide stance, dramatically flared fenders, and a cockpit that appears to be carved from the surrounding bodywork rather than placed atop it. These exaggerated dimensions create a presence that commands attention without resorting to gratuitous styling elements.

Photo: Mecum

Every curve serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, from directing airflow to emphasizing the car’s ground-hugging stance. The power-operated hood and decklid add a touch of theatrical functionality, revealing the meticulously detailed engine bay and storage area with dramatic flair.

Even the smallest details—the custom-fabricated light housings, the precisely shaped air intakes, the flush-mounted glass—contribute to the cohesive design language that makes the Excalibur RS so visually compelling.

Performance Heart

Beneath the sensuous bodywork beats the heart of a serious performance machine that ensures the Excalibur RS delivers driving thrills to match its visual drama. The Roadster is powered by a 5.7-liter GM V8 crate engine equipped with Edelbrock throttle-body fuel injection—a combination that delivers approximately 500 horsepower while maintaining exceptional reliability.

Photo: Mecum

This powerplant was chosen for its character, providing the deep, mechanical rumble that perfectly complements the car’s visceral design. The engine installation itself is a work of art, with carefully routed hoses, polished components, and custom brackets creating an underhood presentation as impressive as the exterior.

Photo: Mecum

Power flows to the rear wheels through a GM 700R4 automatic transmission, selected for its robust construction and smooth power delivery. While purists might prefer a manual gearbox, this choice reflects the car’s dual nature as both showpiece and functional vehicle, allowing the driver to focus on the experience rather than managing a heavy clutch in traffic or at events.

The drivetrain represents a pragmatic approach to the car’s mechanical systems, using proven components to ensure the one-off creation would be as drivable as it is displayable. This philosophy—combining bespoke design with reliable mechanical components—runs throughout the entire vehicle, creating a machine that’s both aesthetically striking and genuinely usable.

Photo: Mecum

The Excalibur’s performance credentials extend well beyond its powertrain. Wilwood disc brakes provide fade-resistant stopping power, a necessity given the car’s performance potential. Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering delivers precise control with appropriate feedback, striking the perfect balance between effort and communication.

Perhaps most intriguing is the inclusion of a Halibrand quick-change rear axle—a component more commonly found on race cars that allows for gearing adjustments to suit different driving conditions without major disassembly. This feature underscores the attention to detail that permeates every aspect of the Roadster’s construction.

Artistry in Color and Detail

The Excalibur’s exterior finish is a carefully considered element of its design that enhances its dramatic form. The car wears Mercedes-Benz Mystic Blue Metallic paint, a choice that simultaneously pays homage to the 1928 Mercedes-Benz SSK while also reflecting Stevens’ traditional red, white, and blue color schemes that appeared throughout his career.

Photo: Mecum

This deep blue is accented with patriotic red and white details that create a cohesive visual statement without overwhelming the body’s sculptural qualities. The combination connects the Excalibur RS to automotive history while establishing its own distinct identity.

The paint’s depth and metallic quality highlight the complex curves of the hand-formed bodywork, changing character as light moves across the surface. Unlike modern production vehicles with their often-flat color applications, the Excalibur’s finish has a hand-applied quality that enhances its bespoke nature.

Even the smallest painted details—the pinstriping, the accent colors, the subtle variations in finish—reveal the human touch that defines truly special automobiles. Each viewing angle reveals new details, rewarding prolonged examination and appreciation.

Crafted Interior Experience

Step inside the Excalibur RS, and you’re greeted by an interior that balances vintage inspiration with modern execution. Engine-turned aluminum panels—a detail borrowed from classic racing machines—provide a textural contrast to the leather-trimmed surfaces.

Photo: Mecum

The fixed bucket seats offer a perfect blend of support and comfort, while the removable VIP steering wheel adds both exclusivity and security. The dashboard layout prioritizes the driver experience, with clear instrumentation and essential controls positioned for intuitive operation.

Photo: Mecum

Fiberglass moldings trimmed in leather create a cohesive interior environment that complements the exterior design language. This cabin focuses on the tactile quality of materials and the purposeful arrangement of components—a space designed for the serious business of driving.

Photo: Mecum

Every surface within the cockpit has been considered for its appearance and how it interacts with the occupants. The seat bolsters provide lateral support during spirited driving without impeding entry and exit. The pedals are perfectly positioned for heel-and-toe operation. The shifter falls naturally to hand.

Photo: Mecum

These ergonomic considerations transform what could have been just a show car into a genuine driver’s machine. Despite its show-stopping appearance, the Excalibur RS was built to be driven and enjoyed, not merely displayed.

A Legacy in Metal

The Excalibur RS Roadster exists at a fascinating intersection of automotive history. While it bears a 1962 designation, it represents a modern interpretation of mid-century design principles. Stevens’ original Excalibur vehicles reimagined 1920s Mercedes-Benz SSK styling for the 1960s market, while the RS Roadster filters this design language through a contemporary lens.

Photo: Mecum

What makes this car significant is its status as Brooks Stevens’ final automotive project—a tribute to his design philosophy and an evolution of his aesthetic principles. The May 16 Mecum auction marks the first public sale opportunity for this vehicle, whose construction costs exceeded $1 million.

Photo: Mecum

For the right collector, this represents an opportunity to acquire a piece of automotive design history. The Excalibur RS Roadster challenges our expectations of what a car can be—drawing from history while remaining thoroughly original. As this unique creation finds a new home, its significance as the final chapter in Brooks Stevens’ automotive legacy is already firmly established in design history.

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