1958 Facel Vega FVS Hardtop Coupe

This 1958 Facel Vega FV4 has its original Chrysler 300C Dual 4-Barrel engine, and Chrysler 3-speed pushbutton automatic transmission. It is one of only 68 FV4s made and one of only 36 made with this larger Hemi powerplant. It has been treated to a full frame-off restoration.

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 is 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 routière 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, and 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.