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| | View more photos Coupé Chassis Num: FV1-55.050 |
The name 'Vega' was taken from the brightest star in the Lyra constellation. The cars were built in coupe configuration with the bodywork welded to a tubular-steel chassis. Power came from Detroit, more specifically - from Chrysler, with their 4.5-liter V8 engine that produces 180 horsepower. There were two gearbox options, a push-button automatic or manual.
The FV was later joined by the FV1, a new and improved version introduced in March of 1955. It had a longer wheelbase which gave more room to the rear passengers. The engine was improved, now displacing 4.8-liters and producing 200 horsepower. A few cabriolet versions were built, but most were fixed-head coupes. A very limited-edition four-door saloon, called the Excellence, was also available. This rode on an extended wheelbase. The FV evolved into the HK500 and Facel II. All were powered by Chrysler engines.
This example is finished in black over white with blue-piped stone upholstery. In 2007 it was brought to the Bonhams Auction, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia, held at the Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club in Carmel, California. The lot was sold for $88,000 plus premiums and taxes.
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.
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.
1955 Facel Vega FV1 |
|
| Year | 1955 |
| Make | Facel |
| Model | Vega FV1 |
| Body Style | Coupé |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Body / Chassis | Steel body on tubular steel frame |
| Production Years for Series | 1954 - 1958 |
| Weight | 3580 lbs | 1623.9 kg |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | FV1-55.050 |
| Performance | |
| Top Speed | 120 mph | 193.1 km/h Similar top speeds |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | V |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Hydraulic valve lifters | |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 4765.00 cc | 290.8 cu in. | 4.8 L. |
| Valvetrain | OHC |
| Horsepower | 200.00 BHP (147.2 KW) @ 4400.00 RPM |
| Torque | 255.00 Ft-Lbs (345.8 NM) @ 2000.00 RPM |
| HP to Weight Ratio | 17.9 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio) |
| HP / Liter | 41.7 BHP / Liter |
| Compression Ratio | 7.5:1 |
| Main Bearings | 5 |
| Engine Electronics | 6 volt |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Block | Cast-iron |
| Head | Cast-iron |
| Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight | |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 2 |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| PowerFlite | |
| Final Drive | 2.93: |
| Optional Transmission | |
| Gears | 4 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| Fully synchromesh | |
| View Specifications |
| Similar Automakers |
| Add Review |
| Facel History |
| Other models by Facel |
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| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Bonhams, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia |
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