1961 Facel Vega HK500

Jean Daninos was a Parisian-born engineer of Greek ancestry who worked for Citroën in body engineering and as the head of special vehicles. Following the Michelin takeover, he left and founded Métallon, a fabricator of kitchen cabinets and sinks. In 1939, he established Forges et Atéliers de Construction d'Eure-et-Loire, or F.A.C.E.L. The two firms combined and made aero engines during World War II.

When peacetime resumed, Facel-Métallon produced bodies for the Dyna Panhard, the Simca, and the Ford Cométe coupé. In 1954, Daninos set about creating a car by combining French elegance and craftsmanship with transatlantic grand tourer performance. The tubular chassis frame with box-section cross-members was designed by Lance Macklin, and was suspended by coil springs and double wishbones at the front, while the live rear axle used a leaf-spring setup. The 276 cubic-inch DeSoto Hemi V-8 engine and could be paired with either Chrysler's TorqueFlite automatic transmission or the French Pont-a-Mousson fully synchronized four-speed manual unit.

The Facel Vega first appeared in October 1954 at the Salon de l'Automobile Paris. The model was initially named the 'Vega,' eventually becoming the 'Facel Vega' and then 'FV.' In 1956, they were called FVS, for Facel Vega Sport in the United States.

The styling was courtesy of Daninos himself, and in keeping with American styling trends of the era, it featured tail fins and stainless steel brightwork. The leather upholstered dashboard of the interior was aircraft-inspired, and there was a middle console over the gearbox. The rear seats could fold flat, providing additional luggage space. A panoramic wraparound windshield arrived with the FV2 (known as the FVS in the U.S.) of October 1955, along with a three-speed automatic transmission. Front disc brakes became available from 1958.

A few cabriolets were built, but Daninos was not keen on soft-tops, and production concentrated on fixed-head coupés. For clients preferring a larger wheelbase and the conveniences of four doors, Facel Vega offered the Excellence, a limited-edition saloon unveiled at the Paris Auto Show in October 1956 and produced through 1964. Total production reached just 156 units.

The FV3 had twin stacked headlights and the DeSoto Hemi engine was replaced with Plymouth's Polyspheric 4.5-litre '277 Power Pack' engine. As of 1957, both power brakes and power steering were standard equipment. A larger 301 CID V8 replaced the 277 engine for 1957, earning it the name FV3B. The FV4 (Typhoon) of 1958 had a 5.8-liter engine developing 325 horsepower and 425 feet/pounds torque. The 'Firepower' Hemi was Chrysler's first overhead valve V8 motor, which was fed by two four-barrel Carter carburetors and mated with a 'Torqueflite' three-speed push button automatic transmission. Based upon a 104-inch wheelbase, zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in just over eight seconds with a top speed of 140 mph.

Facel Vega HK500
By the time of the HK500's introduction in 1957, horsepower had increased to a published 360 brake horsepower from a 361 cubic-inch version of Chrysler's Hemi V-8. Capable of effortless cruising at over 100 mph, it was one of the fastest cars in the world at the time. Disc brakes were optional at first, becoming standard in April 1960.

By the time the Facel Vega II replaced the HK500 in 1962, approximately 489 examples had been built, including a specially built convertible.

The rare Franco-American Grand Routier was popular with celebrities, royalty, diplomats, and politicians, including Tony Curtis, Danny Kaye, Ringo Starr, Fred Astaire, Pablo Picasso, Joan Fontaine and Ava Gardner.

During the company's relatively short life, approximately 2,900 vehicles were produced. They were stylish, luxurious, expensive, exclusive, and fast, and were purchased by the wealthy and famous seeking something distinctive and unique.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2023