1955 Facel Vega FV1 Hardtop Coupé

During its brief life in the automotive production business, the French firm Facel produced around 2,900 cars. There were hand-built, exclusive, stylish, fast, and luxurious. Their high price tag made them affordable only to the wealthy or those of considerable means.

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 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 FV-1 is one of only three examples sold new to the United States. It left the factory finished in a metallic silver-gray with a black roof, and included the options of a radio, twin antennas, and automatic transmission. The automatic transmission was an important item, as prior to this, all Facel Vegas had featured the four-speed manual Pont-a-Mousson gearbox. This was one of the first three Facels fitted with Chrysler's two-speed automatic transmission.

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.

This car was originally delivered to the United States on July 12, 1955. The original owner was a Mr. Milestone - almost certainly Lewis Milestone, the Academy Award-winning director. Best remembered for his films All Quiet on the Western Front, Two Arabian Nights, and Ocean's Eleven, Mr. Milestone spent much of the 1950s in Hollywood, working on the small screen.

In the 1990s, this car was in the care of a Mr. B. Rutan. Years later, it came into the possession of an individual who shows many auctions on the lawn at Pebble Beach. Under this ownership, it is thought that this car participated in the California Mille.

In total, there were fewer than 100 of the FV1 models produced.

In 2010, this car was offered for sale at Gooding & Company's Scottsdale Auction in Arizona. The car was estimated to sell for $175,000-$225,000. The lot was sold for the sum of #137,500, inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2014