1959 HK500  |
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1958 Facel Vega FVS news, pictures, and information | ||
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The 1954 Vega is a French made car with a Chrysler V8 engine. The car was a 2+2 luxurious car that was priced out the range of most people. It commanded an exclusive clientele. The back seats did little but provide more room for luggage. The vehicle was heavy but could still reach a top speed of 115 mph. Various Chrysler engines were used and thus the statistics will vary.
Finned alloy drums were used until 1960 when they were replaced by disc brakes.
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.
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.
Facel was founded in 1939 with their primary bread-winner was building bodies for other manufacturers.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008
Finned alloy drums were used until 1960 when they were replaced by disc brakes.
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.
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.
Facel was founded in 1939 with their primary bread-winner was building bodies for other manufacturers.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008
 |  | Hardtop Coupe |
The aircraft building experience of the designer is evident in reviews of the FV4. Britain's 'The Autocar Magazine' wrote in its April 25, 1958 edition of the FV4 that in the over 50 year history of the magazine the FV4 was 'the fastest car-in sheer speed - so far tested.' Nonetheless excellence in design is evident in everything from the 'averaging of 14.4 mpg for nearly 1000 miles' to stainless steel 'bumpers - a continuation of the body form - which are sturdy enough to withstand very heavy impacts without damage.'
The Facel Vega was the brainchild of Jean Daninos, whose determination led him to recreate the classic French grande routiere exemplified by Bugatti, Delage, Hotchkiss, Delahaye and Talbot in the years between the wars. Daninos established Forges et Ateliers de Construction d'Eure-et-Loir in 1939 for the manufacture of aircraft components etc. specializing in stainless steel.
Building on the experience of these ventures, Daninos unveiled his first Facel at the Paris Salon in 1954. All models were hand-built in the short life of Facel. All were stylish, luxurious and fast. Naturally they were also very expensive and were bought by those seeking something distinctive.
Facel Vega owners included Danny Kaye, Tony Curtis, Francois Truffaut, Brian Rix, Ringo Starr, Lionel Bart, Joan Fontaine, Ava Gardner, president and royalty who appreciated fine automobiles. Great racing figures of the time such as Rob Walker, Maurice Trintignant and Stirling Moss, used Facels to cover the distances between the race tracks of Europe at high speed in comfort and safety.
 |  |  | Hardtop Coupe Chassis Num: 508 |
 |  |  | Hardtop Sedan Chassis Num: A2 |
 |  |  | Hardtop Coupe |
These cars were large, luxurious and totally handbuilt. The big Chrysler engines provided silky smooth acceleration. As a result, they were very popular with the Hollywood set as well as wealthy industrialists around the world. Facel would produce these cars from 1954 through 1964.
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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2007
For more information and related vehicles, click hereIn 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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2007
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| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 1958 |
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| Facel Vega: 1951-1960 |
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| Facel Vega History |
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| Vega |
| 1959 HK500 |
