1962 Facel Vega II pictures and wallpaper 1962 Facel Vega II pictures and wallpaper 1962 Facel Vega II pictures and wallpaper 1962 Facel Vega II pictures and wallpaper
1962 Facel Vega II pictures and wallpaper

View more photos
Coupe
 
These expensive and fast automobiles were the result of a Franco-American venture. The elegant bodies were made by the firm that previously supplied bodies for Panhard, Simca and Ford. The engine is a 413 cubic-inch Chrysler 'Max Wedge' with twin four-barrel Carter carburetors. About 2,900 total Vegas were made, of which only 182 were Facel IIs.
In the mid-1950's the French metal produced Facel, Forges et Ateliers de Construction d'Eure et Loire, entered the car manufacturing industry. Created by industrialist Jean Daninos, they had achieved success in building complete body-shells for manufacturers such as Simca and Panhard.

In 1954 Facel introduced the Vega, a luxury Grand Tourer with elegant design and powered by an American power-plant. Most of the vehicles were intended for export due to taxation existing in France. Vehicles were taxed based on the amount of horsepower they produced. A Chrysler/DeSoto V8 engine with various displacements was used to power the Facels.

In 1958 the car received a face-life and re-engineering and was transformed into the HK500. The Vega II followed soon after bringing with it a 383 cubic inch Chrysler V8. During this time, it was regarded as the world's fastest sedan.
The 383 cubic-inch Chrysler V8 power plant was capable of producing 360 horsepower. The Facels could race from zero to sixty in 8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 140 mph. Finned alloy drums were used until 1960 when they were replaced by disc brakes.

The HK-500 carried a price tag of $9,795 meaning only the well-to-do were capable of affording one of these masterpieces. From 1958 through 1961, only 458 HK500's were produced ensuring the vehicles exclusivity in modern times.

Brasseur and Danios were responsible for creating the styling of the vehicles body. The chassis was the result of Lance Macklin of HWM. The interior was elaborate, elegant, and trimmed in wood and leather. The instrument panel was exquisite, inspired by Duesenberg airplane instrument panels.

A smaller edition, the Facellia, was introduced in the early 60's featuring a Facel derived twin-cam engine. The combination, coupled with poor reliability, did not work and Facel went out of business.

1962 Facel Vega II

Year1962
MakeFacel
ModelVega II
Body StyleCoupe
Engine LocationFront
Drive TypeRear Wheel
Body / ChassisSteel body on tubular steel frame
Production Years for Series1961 - 1964
Combined MPG0.00

Performance
Top Speed150 mph | 241.4 km/h Similar top speeds

Engine  
Engine ConfigurationV
Cylinders8
EngineChrysler
Hydraulic valve lifters
Aspiration/InductionNormal
Displacement383.00 CU IN. | 6277.4 cc. | 6.3 L.
ValvetrainOHV
Horsepower355.00 BHP (261.3 KW) @ 4800.00 RPM
HP / Liter56.3 BHP / Liter
Compression Ratio10.0:1
Main Bearings5
Engine Electronics12 volt
Fuel TypeGasoline - Petrol
Fuel FeedCarburetor
1 Carter 4-barrel carburetor

Standard Transmission
Gears3
TransmissionAutomatic
TorqueFlite

Optional Transmission
Gears4
TransmissionManual
Pont-a-Mousson


 
Similar Automakers
Add Review
Facel History
Other models by Facel
View Specifications
AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Articles and Event Coverage
Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance

Additional Resources and Links
Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance Official Website


Vehicle Spotlight
Mazda Kiyora Concept2009 Hyundai i201912 Mercedes Race Car
2009 Kia Borrego Images and Info2009 Chevrolet CorvetteMazda Kazamai Concept
Fiat Fiorino Portofino ConceptJetstream SC250Mitsubishi Racing Lancer Debut
Trident IceniChevrolet Cruze2009 Lexus SC 430 Pebble Beach Edition
2009 Lexus LS 600h L Pebble Beach Edition2009 Infiniti G37 ConvertibleIFR Automotive Aspid
Lotus EvoraRolls-Royce Pininfarina Hyperion2008 Lamborghini Reventon