It was in 1973 when the Excalibur Phaeton was about to be acid tested by Ken Donovan Sr.
Donovan drove from his home in Clearwater to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to receive a specially-built car that was all the rage among celebrities. He bought it for his wife Dolores.
She probably knew Dean Martin was driving Excalibur. So did Dick Van Dyke, Phyllis Diller, Tony Curtis, Sonny and Cher Bono, and Jackie Gleason.
Even better, Excalibur Automobile Corporation stopped using Studebaker engines and drivetrains and switched to Chevrolet engines and drivetrains. This particular car was equipped with a Corvette 454 engine capable of thumping a very heavy body. About 3,500 Excaliburs were built during the year.
Once behind the wheel, Donovan wanted to make sure he got his money’s worth.
“My father was obsessed with bringing the car home from Milwaukee,” said Ken Donovan Jr., who lives on the Lakewood Ranch with his wife, Ann. “
Dolores Donovan wanted to use the Excalibur as an everyday vehicle, but over the years it has become a Sunday drive car. Dolores and Ken have also used the car for special events such as his son Jim’s Homecoming Day.
In 1980, when Ken Jr. married Anne at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Clearwater, the two got married in Excalibur by car.
Eventually, Ken Jr. got a car after his parents died of old age. Like his parents, he used his car for Sunday drives and special events.
On October 29th, Excalibur will return to the Knights of Columbus Car Show and Cookout at Our Lady of the Angels at Lakewood Ranch. Last year Ken and Andonovan brought their car to the show for the first time because they had just moved into his country club and wanted to support the church. This car won the “Fan Favorite” award.
Ann and Ken Donovan have always bonded over their love of cars.
Donovan laughs about it because he’s not the classic car show type. Not the type of owner that goes places. Last year’s Knights of Columbus event was the first show he attended.
The reason he has Excalibur is because it holds a lot of family memories.
In that regard, Excalibur is not alone. In fact, it’s not even his favorite vehicle.
He still has a 1972 Triumph bike, a 1965 Mustang and a 1975 MG that he rode in his youth.
He loves them all, as does his favorite, the 1967 International Scouts.
The scout itself is proof enough that 69-year-old Ken Donovan Jr. has no interest in show cars.
“The Scout is a step above the tractor,” he said with a laugh. “But I took the driving test. I learned to drive on it. It’s just family history.”
All history matters.
“I want to be buried in it,” he said.
It was Ann who was laughing this time.
Tamara and Patrick Donovan used this car for their 2016 wedding in Reading, Pennsylvania. This car was used many times over the years for special occasions.
When we met in the 1970s, it was quickly apparent that we both loved cars and motorcycles. Anne especially liked the roar of the powerful engine.
On their first date, Ken Jr. drove an MG to pick her up.
“I saw Kenny drive in this midget and was wondering how I would get into it with the skirt I was wearing,” she said.
She managed to slip in and they drove off.
The couple have three children (Ken III, Patrick, and Katherine), and Excalibur has been seen on special occasions, including Ken III’s wedding to Tamara in 2016 and Katherine and Steve Young’s wedding in 2017. continued to be used. Eventually, the car is taken over by her one of the children. And their children include his six grandchildren, including Ken IV.
Ken Donovan Jr. was asked if he had any car care advice for those attending the Knights of Columbus show.
“Keep it in the garage,” he said. “Excalibur is a car that is not suitable for rain.”
Mr. and Mrs. Donovan aren’t interested in the value of his classic car, but they admit to being intrigued every time they drive the Excalibur.
“When you drive a car, it makes people happy,” said Ken Donovan Jr. “They wave their hands and get excited.”
But he never sells it, nor does he sell any other classic cars.
“I just don’t want to let them go,” he said. “And by the time you’re done using it, it’s junk anyway.”
They both enjoy family stories about cars at car shows and cookouts.
“I always enjoy it when people come by car,” Ken Donovan Jr. said of the show. “And I like to see cars running.”
His Excalibur is never in perfect show shape because it does just that. He even says it’s Anne’s job to “defile them for me.”
Anne Donovan says the Excalibur doesn’t have air conditioning, so she waits until it cools down to ride with her husband, Ken.
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