Swiss craftsmanship and American engineering combine - again - to create the Felber Excellence, a car that you'd have to have been both rich and motivated to buy when new. The Excellence was based closely on the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. It was most identifiable by its vertical front end with twin round and twin rectangular headlamps, which flanked a crest-shaped radiator grille. The rear end lost the wraparound window of the Pontiac and gained a set of Fiat 850 tail lights.
The company also produced a Spider version, which looked better. As with Felber's cars, specifications were down to the customer's requirements. Twelve examples were made in total, most of which were coupes, but as well as the Spider, there were also one-off notchback and hatchback versions. Impossible to find today - and some would say that's no bad thing.
Four variations were built. There was a Pontiac Firebird-based Felber Excellence in which 12 were produced. Then, there were one-offs with the Excellence Coupe, Spider, and Fastback Coupe.
Engine & performance:
Position: front
Type: V8
Capacity: 6555 cc
Power: 225 hp @ 4000 rpm
Torque: 432 Nm @ 2800 rpm
Drive: RWD
Top speed: 190 km/h
Dimensions:
Length: 5000 mm
Width: 1860 mm
Height: 1250 mm
Wheelbase: 2750 mm
Weight: 1750 kg
Source: classics.honestjohn.co.uk
Images: fastestlaps.com; www.autotitre.com
Pictured Above: The Felber Excellence Coupe (1977).
Pictured Above: The Felber Excellence Fastback Coupe (1977).
Pictured Above: The Felber Excellence Coupe (1977).
Pictured Above: The Felber Excellence Spider (1978) and Coupe (1977).
Pictured Above: The Felber Excellence Spider being presented at the 1978 Geneva Motor Show.