1958 Facel Vega Excellence

Facel is an acronym standing for 'Forges et Ateliers de Construction d'Eure-et-Loir' (in English: forge and construction workshop of the department of Eure-et-Loir). The company was founded in December of 1939 by Jean Daninos as a metal stamping company that constructed bodies for various manufacturers including Delahaye, Simca, Ford of France, and Panhard. In July of 1954, the company began production of complete cars and would produce approximately 2,900 examples of all models before the factory closed in October of 1964.

The first automobile produced by Facel was the Facel Vega FV, introduced in October 1954 at the Salon de l'Automobile Paris. It had a tubular chassis with a live rear axle and a double-wishbone suspension setup at the front. Under the bonnet was a 276 cubic-inch DeSoto Hemi engine that endowed the two-door sports coupe with a top speed of approximately 120 mph. Most examples left the factory with a two-door hardtop configuration, however, a few were built as convertibles. Since France imposed a tax based on the horsepower produced by the engine, these were not very popular in the home country, but rather intended for export. Over three-quarters of the Facel Vega FV (later models known as the HK500) were exported, as the 276 CID V8 was replaced in 1956 with an even larger 331 CID Chrysler Hemi engine backed by an updated transmission. 1956 was also the year that the company introduced a four-door model named the Excellence.

The Facel Vega Excellence wore a similar design to its two-door sibling, with a pillarless design and rear-hinged 'suicide' doors. The lack of a center pillar allowed occupants maximum enjoyment of open-air cruising along with see-and-be-seen viewing. It did, however, lessen the rigidity and degrade the handling compared to the two-door models. Built to American proportions on an elongated chassis from the FV Coupe, the Excellence had a footprint of nearly 17.5 feet long, a wheelbase of 125 inches, and weighed approximately 4,200 pounds. It was the only four-door model ever produced by the company. The interior was luxurious and comfortable, with soft and sumptuous leather seats, chrome fixtures, and a classic Facel Vegal dashboard with aircraft-inspired gauges set in a dash of the hand-painted wood grain. The wood grain theme continued to the back of the seats, along with a second radio head unit and vanity. The list of standard features was extensive, including such rare amenities as power windows.

Production began in May of 1958 with the first edition of the EX cars equipped with Chrysler's 392 cubic-inch Hemi V8. By the time Face released the Excellence, this engine was virtually out of production, so only seven (as many as eleven) were built as equipped. These versions were visually distinguishable by their hood scoop not seen on later models. The next iteration, the EX1 released in October of 1958, came with the 5,913cc overhead valve Chrysler 'Wedge' V8 engine fitted with a single Carter carburetor and delivering 360 horsepower at 5,200 RPM. It was backed by either a three-speed Chrysler TorqueFlite automatic transmission or a Pont-à-Mousson manual. Four-wheel Servo-Assisted drum brakes provided the stopping power, with disc brakes becoming optional in 1959. The suspension used a live rear axle setup with the front being independent with coil springs.

Between 1958 to 1961, a total of 137 examples of the Excellence were built.

The final iteration was the EX2 which brought styling changes, a 383 cubic-inch V8 with 390 horsepower, and chassis improvements derived from the HK500 and Facel II. The panoramic, wrap-around windshield was dropped and the tail fins were smoothed out. Turn-down door handles were added with improved latches. A total of eight examples of the EX2 models were completed by the time production ceased in June 1964.

The total Facel Vega Excellence production, lasting from 198 through 1964, was 156 units.

by Dan Vaughan

Hardtop Sedan
Chassis number: EX1 A2
Engine number: TY7-31348

Production of the Facel Vega Excellence began in May of 1958 and the first examples came with a 392 cubic-inch Hemi Chrysler V8 engine. By the time Facel released the Excellence, the engine was virtually out of production, so the next iteration - the EX1 (introduced in October of 1958) - came with the 361 CID 'Wedge' V8 with 360 horsepower. Transmission options included a TorqeuFlite automatic or Pont-à-Mousson manual.

This particular example, chassis number EX1 A2, was constructed in October 1958, per the order of Hoffman Motors. It was the 12th Excellence EX1 produced and its original owner was Fred Kanter of Boonton, New Jersey. It came equipped with a 383 cubic-inch Chrysler Wedge V8 and a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission. Its exterior was finished in two-tone Tudor Grey and black with red leather upholstery.

The car remained in the United States, beginning on the East Coast, and over the years would make its way to California. It eventually received a restoration where it was finished in its current carmine red over grey color scheme with an interior retrimmed in the original color. The car entered the care of its current owner in July of 2011 where it has remained on static display since acquisition.

This Facel Vega is one of 154 Excellence sedans ever built and one of 137 EX1 models.

by Dan Vaughan

Hardtop Sedan
Chassis number: EX 8A
Engine number: TY7-39251

The Facel Vega Coupe, described by the company as 'The Few Who Own the Finest,' was joined by a four-door version two years after the introduction of the first Vega Coupe. It was called the Excellence Sedan and was built to American proportions, with slab-sided styling, pillarless suicide doors subtle tail fins, and a wrap-around windscreen. The interior housed sumptuous leather seats, chrome fixtures, and the classic Facel Vega dashboard that featured an aircraft-like complement of gauges set in a dash of hand-painted wood grain. The rear passenger compartment housed a second radio head unit, a vanity, and wood grain seatbacks.

This particular Facel Vega is the eighth Excellence example produced, of the just eleven 'EX' first-series cars. After it left the factory, the car was delivered to Jean Cavallier, President of Pont-A-Mousson - the firm that supplied manual gearboxes to FACEL.

On July 21st of 1958, the Facel Vega received Parisian license plate number 7440 HE 75, under 'Societe Metallurgique et Miniere du Perigord - 91 Rue Jouffroy- Paris,' the parent firm of Pont-A-Mousson. It left the factory wearing Isetta White with a black roof and black Vaumol leather trim. It was powered by a Chrysler 300-C Hemi engine paired with an automatic gearbox; the car later received Cavallier's own 4-speed Pont-A-Mousson transmission.

In December of 1961, the Facel Vega Excellence sedan was re-registered as 450 JL 54 and owned by Pont-A-Mousson, and at the disposal of Cavallier. It is believed that EX8A returned to the factory several times for updates, as some of the features are from later Excellence and HK500 models. The updates include the more powerful HK500-spec Wedge engine, the manual gearbox, and HK500 disc brakes with knock-off disc-style wheels. Updates to the coachwork include unique decor trim pieces affixed to the rear doors and squared-off wheel arches.

Mr. Mieck, a scrap metal dealer, acquired the Excellence in the late 1960s. In 1983, the car was acquired by Mr. Etienne Marquant with the intention of performing a restoration, though the project never began. In 2007, the car was sold to Peter Phillips of America, who began the restoration process.

The car wears its original color scheme of Isetta white with a black roof and black leather upholstery. It retains its factory-fitted Chrysler Wedge engine, four-speed Pont-A-Mousson gearbox, disc wheels, and unique trim pieces on the rear doors. There are Marchal Equilux headlamps and Michelin X tires.

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