“I’m In Love With My Car”
The machine of a dream, such a clean machine,
With the pistons a pumpin’, and the hubcaps all gleam.
When I’m holding your wheel,
All I hear is your gear,
When my hand’s on your grease gun,
Oh it’s like a disease son,
I’m in love with my car, gotta feel for my automobile,
Get a grip on my boy racer rollbar,
Such a thrill when your radials squeal.
Told my girl I just had to forget her,
Rather buy me a new cartburettor,
So she made tracks sayin’ this is the end now,
Cars don’t talk back they’re just four wheeled friends now,
When I’m holding your wheel,
All I hear is your gear,
When I’m cruisin’ in overdrive,
Don’t have to listen to no run of the mill talk jive,
I’m in love with my car, gotta feel for my automobile,
I’m in love with my car, string back gloves in my automolove!
-Queen, 1975, Night at the Opera, lyrics by Roger Taylor
There was a Corvette Stingray. There was a Chevy Camaro. There was a classic Cutlass posing as if it was sitting at an old A & W back in the 60s, with a Root Bear at the wheel and a burger tray hanging from the rolled down window.
And, at one end of the strip of vintage cars on display at Ye Olde Welcome Inn’s Show N’ Shine this past Sunday was a 1976 Excalibur SS Phaeton, its bronze colour glistening in the sun.
The owners, Ken and Rose Marie Byers of Oliver, members of the Vintage Car Club of Canada, took time to describe the vehicle to everyone who stopped by and admired its sleek design, its classic feel, and, if lucky enough, to hear its 454 cubic inch motor rumble when Ken turned the key and started it up.
The Byers’, as it became quite apparent from the minute I introduced myself and asked about this classic vehicle, are in love with their car.
“I liked it right from the time I saw one. I built a kit car but it was roughly two-thirds the size of this. But it was only a kit car. I always wanted an original but it was difficult to find,” explained Ken. “The only reason I got this one was because a friend of mine saw it in the Vancouver Sun. The car was in West Vancouver at an estate sale. I phoned right away and was told I was the first one to call so I got first right of refusal. A dealer from Ontario was there when I was buying it, and came up to me and said, “You don’t even have to move that car and I’ll give you $10,000 more. I said, “No, I’ve looked for this car for a long time.
“I’m not about to give it up.”
Their Excalibur was originally produced by Studebaker, a name unfamiliar to most in an age when Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640s – my 13-year-old son York’s favourite car – are all the rage. Designer Brook Stevens followed the classic lines of the early Mercedes.
Only 11 of this model were built, and it’s estimated there are only two in Western Canada.
The Excalibur has General Motors running gear, and a 454 cubic inch Corvette engine. If you like the look, and who wouldn’t, the official colour scheme includes Acme #6-11441-Z, 1973 GM Saturn Bronze Met Colour 99.
The Byers’ Excalibur also appeared in three movies which were produced in Vancouver.
While Ken didn’t want to offer up the price he paid for his pride and joy, he did admit it was in the six figures.
And how much is it worth these days?
“The only one I know of like it that sold recently in Edmonton. He got $300,000,” said Ken.
And what’s it like to drive?
“It’s great. You got to get used to the hood. I mean, it seems like it’s 10-feet out. It almost feels like you are driving from the back seat until you get used to the length of the hood and all the other stuff in front of that. It’s a big car,” responded Ken, sporting an ear-to-ear grin. “It gets attention wherever it goes, cause there’s just not another one like it.”
I’m in love with my car, gotta feel for my automobile,
I’m in love with my car, string back gloves in my automolove!
Dale Cory
Oliver Chronicle
