1960 Facel Vega Excellence

Jean Daninos founded Forges et Ateliers de Construction d'Eure-et-Loir (FACEL) in 1939 and it originally specialized in the production of aircraft materials. Following World War II, Facel distributed car bodies to Panhard, Simca, and Ford France for nearly a decade before it began manufacturing its own vehicle in 1954. It introduced its new Face Vega FV at the Paris Salon in 1954 despite the crippling legislation that transpired in the immediate post-War era that made it virtually impossible for luxurious cars to be manufactured in France. The demand was still present and Facel saw the opportunity to fill the void, reinforced by the popularity of the new Facel despite the staggering $7,000 asking price at launch. Later developments saw the introduction, in 1956, of the Facel Vega FVS, further evolving into the all-new HK500 in 1959.

The Facel-Vega Excellence was introduced at the Paris Auto Show in October of 1956 and production started in 1958 and lasted until 1964. It was based on the Facel Vega FV Coupe, but with an elongated chassis and with four doors - the sole four-door model the company ever made. Total production reached 156 units, and its low numbers were attributed to its steep price. The price could be driven even higher depending on the options selected, including air conditioning, wire-spoke wheels, power steering, power brakes, and electric windows.

Styling elements inspired by the American car market included the wraparound windshield, tailfins, and the 'hardtop' roof sans B-pillars. These were combined with European features such as the rakishly low profile, stacked quad-headlights, high greenhouse, and low beltline. The front doors were hinged at the front and the back doors were hinged at the rear, in a similar fashion to the Lincoln Continentals of the 1960s.

The interior was created using the finest materials available, with the seats covered in aromatic leather, full instrumentation, and a fake walnut dashboard. A makeup kit was located in the back of the center armrest that included two perfume bottles (albeit empty), and a chrome-handled brush and comb.

Power was sourced from the Chrysler 300 'letter series' models. These Hemi engines were installed in the Facel-Vega engine bays until Chrysler discontinued them for the 1958 model year, after which the V8-powered Fecal-Vegas used the Chrysler B-Series 'Wedge' big-block engines. These engines were backed by either the Pont-à-Mousson-built four-speed manual or the optional Chrysler-built Torqueflite three-speed automatic.

The Paris Show Car of 1956 was powered by a 331 CID V8. The early Excellence automobiles using the 392 CID Chrysler V8 delivering 360 hp are known as the 'EX'-series and a total of eleven were built, seven of which are known to survive. These cars had a hood scoop that was not used on later cars. The 'EX1' cars followed, produced from October 1958 through July 1961. Instead of using the top-of-the-line 413 CID, Facel-Vega installed the 361 CID Chrysler 'Wedge' head V8 into the engine bay, perhaps to decrease the tax imposed by the French road tax system which was based on engine displacement size. Nevertheless, the 361 had the same nominal horsepower output as the Hemi it replaced, and cars produced from late 1959 onwards could be equipped with optional power disc brakes in the front. A total of 137 examples were built as 'EX1' generation models, followed by eight of the 'EX2.' The 'EX2' series came with the larger 383 CID rated at 390 horsepower and was devoid of the wraparound windshield, and milder tailfins. Some of the late-'EX1' built models incorporated some of the 'EX2' design elements, including the changes to the tail fins, non-panoramic windshield, and chassis and steering modifications.

The Excellence had a reputation for its level of finish, luxury, and exclusivity. The V8 engine was powerful and versatile, offering a high level of performance.

by Dan Vaughan

Hardtop Sedan

It was said by Facel Vega that the Excellence Series Two was the fastest four-door sedan available in its day. These high horsepower four-door saloons became known as 'Diplomats' because they were favorites of the political class of ambassadors, diplomats, and foreign dignitaries. They served as plush limousines with tinted windows that could make a fast passage with the big Chrysler Wedge or Hemi power under the hood.

M. Jean Daninos was said to have not wanted to produce this car. However, when he saw the French President arriving at ceremonies and events in a Citroen CV that lowered to rest before the President could get out, he thought it was ridiculous.

Daninos directed Facel Vega to create a car fit for a French President, and, of course, it would be pillar-less, because 'Daninos does not make cars with pillars!'

His team began work by stretching the FV4 chassis and developing and ultimately producing 144 of these four-door pillarless sedans from 1958-1962. This EX2 version is 1 of the 123 Excellence Sedans known to remain.

This Excellence Series Two features the Chrysler V8 wedge engine that produces 335 horsepower at 4800 rpm. It has a single 4-barrel carburetor, a three-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission, and stainless steel bumpers and trim. Tinted glass and air conditioning were additional standard features.

Hardtop Sedan
Chassis number: B068

The automotive landscape changed drastically in the immediate post-World War era, and for France, much of the luxury market had fizzled away. The top pre-war luxury car makers of Delahaye, Talbot-Lago, and Bugatti found themselves on uncertain financial footing when peacetime resumed. Facel, an acronym standing for FACEL 'Forges et Ateliers de Construction d'Eure-et-Loir' (in English: forge and construction workshop of the department of Eure-et-Loir), was founded by Jean Daninos in 1939 initially as a metal stamping company that built bodies for the likes of Panhard, Simca, and the aforementioned Delahaye. In 1954, after much of their coach-building business had dried up and the market was beginning to accept luxury automakers once again, Facel decided to go into the production of complete cars. The company's first attempt at building cars was a sporting coupe designed by Daninos and equipped with a reliable Chrysler Hemi V8 engine. The pillar-less FV and HK500 models became favorites with wealthy industrialists and the social elite. Two years after the introduction of the first Facel Vega coupe, the company expanded into the four-door market with the introduction of the Excellence sedan. With a 125-inch wheelbase and measuring just under 17.5 inches in length, the Excellence was made to American proportions. It had pillarless suicide doors, slab-sided styling, a wrap-around windscreen, and subtle fines. The interior had soft and sumptuous leather seats, chrome fixtures, and the classic Facel Vega dashboard that featured an aircraft-like complement of gauges. The first seven examples were equipped with Chrysler's 392 cubic-inch Hemi V8, and when it was discontinued it was replaced by the 361 CID 'Wedge' V8 with 360 horsepower. The transmission options included a TorqueFlite automatic or Pont-à-Mousson manual.

Production of the Facel Excellence began in May of 1958 and from 1959 on, optional disc brakes became available. In July of 1961, the final version of the Excellence was introduced - the EX2 - which smoothed out the tail fins, added turn-down door handles with improved latches, dropped the wrap-around windscreen, and incorporated chassis improvements derived from the HK500 and Facel II. Beneath the bonnet was a 383 cubic-inch V8 delivering 390 bhp.

This particular Facel Vega Excellence is a late production EX1 equipped with the Wedge V8 and has many of the styling and mechanical elements of the EX2. It is devoid of the wrap-around windscreen and tail fins and has turn-down door handles and quarter windows in the front of the doors. There are four-wheel disc brakes, an integral power steering box, a three-speed Chrysler TorqueFlite Automatic transmission, and an independent coil spring suspension with a live rear axle.

This Facel Vega is finished in Burgundy over Black leather. When new, it was delivered to the French consulate and used by Hervé Alphand, the ambassador to the United States from 1956 to 1965. Purchased by Fred Kanter, from a seller in Long Island in 1975, the car was carefully garage-kept and saw minimal use. The car remained in Mr. Kanter's care for nearly four decades before it was sold by Bonhams auction to the current caretaker in 2012.

by Dan Vaughan

Hardtop Sedan
Chassis number: B106
Engine number: TY7-187

The elegant and accommodating proportions of the Facel Vega Excellence EX1 Sedan measured nearly 17.5 feet in length and 125 inches spanning between the wheels. The slab-sided styling with pillarless suicide doors was elegant and tasteful, and the wrap-around windscreen was modern and sporty. The interior featured leather seats, chrome fixtures, and aircraft-like gauges installed in a dash of hand-painted wood grain. The wood grain theme continued on the back of the seats along with a vanity and a second radio head unit.

Seven examples of the Facel Excellence were powered by the 392 cubic-inch Hemi Chrysler V8 engine before production of this powerplant ended. The next iteration, the EX1 released in October 1958, received the 361 cubic-inch 'Wedge' V8 offering 360 horsepower. Transmission options included a TorqueFlite automatic or Pont-à-Mousson manual.

Power windows were standard, and beginning in 1959, disc brakes were optional.

The EX2 version arrived in July of 1961, which dropped the wrap-around windscreen and lowered the tail fins, and was powered by a 383 cubic-inch V8 with nearly 400 horsepower.

This 1960 Facel Vega Excellence EX1 Sedan is powered by a 5,913cc overhead valve Chrysler 'Wedge' V8 engine with a single Carter AFB carburetor and produces 360 horsepower at 5,200 RPM. There is a three-speed Chrysler TorqueFlite automatic transmission and four-wheel servo-assisted drum brakes.

When new, this Facel Vega wore a black paint scheme with beige leather. It was delivered new to the United States through Max Hoffman's distribution company and was the 116th of 154 Excellences built.

By 1982, the car was in the care of E. Williamson, and by 1994, it was owned by Robert Luther of Alexandria, Virginia, who kept it briefly before selling it to Jeff and Dorothy Lace of Huntington Beach, California in September of that year with 34,039 miles recorded miles.

The car is currently painted two-tone gold over black with a red leather interior with cream piping. This car has been driven under 30 miles over the past 29 years.

by Dan Vaughan

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 vehicle's exclusivity in modern times.

Brasseur and Danios were responsible for creating the styling of the vehicle's 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 Dan Vaughan