1959 Facel Vega HK500 Hardtop Coupe

During the short lifespan of the French firm, Facel, approximately 2,900 cars were built. Their cars were hand-built, luxurious, and fast. Initially, they supplied car bodies to Ford France, Simca, and Panhard. They branched out into automobile production in 1954 with the launch of the Vega at the 1954 Paris Salon. The name 'Vega' was in reference to the brightest star in the Lyra constellation. The Vega had elegant coupe bodywork welded to a tubular-steel chassis. Power was from a 4.5-liter Chrysler V8 powerplant which offered 180 horsepower. Buyers had the option of either a push-button automatic or manual transmission.

The HK500 model appeared in 1957. Horsepower rose to around 360 BHP, thanks to the 5.9-liter version of Chrysler's 'Hemi' V8 and top speed also increased, to 140 MPH. Dunlop disc brakes became standard in 1960 and power steering became an option. During its production lifespan, which lasted from 1958 to 1961, around 500 units were built.

This particular example is a right-hand drive Facel-Vega HK500 which was bought new by Arthur Christopher John Soames. The car was equipped with power steering, power windows, European-style headlights, and a Motorola solid-state radio. Power is from a dual 4-barrel 383 cubic-inch engine mated to a 4-speed Pont-a-Mousson manual transmission. The engine is correctly numbered FY7 for its Facel-Vega application and carries the correct air cleaner assemblies.

In the 1990s, the car was given a restoration and finished in creamy yellow over a rich oxblood leather interior with a wooden dash. It rides on a new set of Borrani center-lock wire wheels with 3-ear Facel-Vega mounting nuts have been fitted.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2016