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1958 Facel Vega FVS

The 1954 Vega is a French-made car with a Chrysler V8 engine. The car was a 2+2 luxurious car that was priced out the range of most people. It commanded an exclusive clientele. The back seats did little but provide more room for luggage. The vehicle was heavy but could still reach a top speed of 115 mph. Various Chrysler engines were used and thus the statistics will vary.

Finned alloy drums were used until 1960 when they were replaced by disc brakes.

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.

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.

Facel was founded in 1939 and primarily built bodies for other manufacturers.

by Dan Vaughan

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.

Hardtop Coupe
Chassis number: 508

The Facel Vega was a combination of the best of France and the best of America; it was built by Facel, a company with much experience building bodies for other manufacturers, and at first, it had an early DeSoto Hemi V8 engine under the hood. The first Facel Vega was built in 1954. Over the years many detailed changes were made and more powerful engines were used as the company released the FV1 through the FV4. About 350 FV-series cars were produced until a replacement, the HK5000, appeared in 1958. The Facel Vega was well-regarded for its combination of luxury and performance and was purchased by many celebrities of the day.

Hardtop Sedan
Chassis number: A2

The French Facel Vega was the brainchild of Jean Daninos who initially established Forges et Ateliers de Construction d'Eure-et-Loir in 1939 to manufacture of aircraft components. After the war, Facel built bodies for Panhard, Simca, and Ford-France and also produced the Pininfarina-designed coachwork for the Daninos-inspired Bentley Cresta. Daninos unveiled his first car, the Facel Vega at the Paris Salon in 1954, and in 1958 he built the first Excellence, produced from 1958 to 1962, with the remarkable feature of four doors with no central pillars. Approximately 2,900 cars were hand-built in the short life of the stylish and fast Facel. Race drivers Maurice Trintignant and Stirling Moss used Facel to drive quickly between the race tracks of Europe. The star-studded list of owners is a miniature 'Who's Who,' with a shah, a king, ambassadors, princes, and presidents among them.

Hardtop Coupe

Facel Metallon was a highly regarded industrial firm that constructed bodies for many of France's finest cars. Founder Jean Daninos was anxious to become a full-line manufacturer of luxury vehicles and showed some of his own designs as early as 1950. When Panhard withdrew a model at the last minute from the 1954 Paris Salon, Daninos stepped in to show the first Facel Vega. It was powered by a Chrysler 'Hemi' V8.

These cars were large, luxurious, and totally handbuilt. The big Chrysler engines provided silky smooth acceleration. As a result, they were very popular with the Hollywood set as well as wealthy industrialists around the world. Facel would produce these cars from 1954 through 1964.

Hardtop Coupe
Chassis number: FV457H41
Engine number: 0207

Like many other small automakers, Facel Vega built their cars in short series, with 10 different models over 10 years. Engines used over that period included Chrysler V8s rated at 172 horsepower, 276-cubic-inch DeSoto Firedome, and a Chrysler Hemi 392 cubic-inch Hemi V8 offering 354 horsepower. Of the approximately 357 Series 2 through Series 4 FVS that Face Vega built, only 36 are thought to have been powered by the 325-horsepower dual-quad Typhoon Hemi engine.

This example was sold new in Dallas, Texas, and was street driven until 1968, when it was disassembled for restoration. It was purchased by the current owner while still in the dismantled state. A show-quality restoration was completed in 2012. The car has a full six-piece set of factory luggage, correct wire wheels, Connolly leather, and Wilton wool carpets.

Over the past 55 years, the car has had just two owners. It has never been shown or publically sold. It is also believed to have never left Texas. It is a dual-quad Series 4 car powered by an overhead valve Hemi V8 offering 325 horsepower. There is a Powerflite pushbutton automatic transmission and four-wheel Lockheed-Bendix hydraulic drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Hardtop Coupe
Chassis number: FVSNY253

Over the span of a decade, the Facel Company created 10 different short series of models with Chrysler-sourced eight-cylinder engines. They were all luxury, grand touring cars that were popular with a jet-setting crowd on both sides of the Atlantic.

This particular Series 4 Sport Coupe is finished in the correct radiant silver metallic paint with a red leather interior. It was one of seven ordered by New York-based importer Max Hoffman in late 1957. It was assembled in October of that year and delivered new, in 1958, with chrome wire wheels that had knock-off spinner caps and tinted glass. The car is very original and still retains its original, matching numbers powertrain. It has its correct tool kit, jack, and spare tire.

This preserved example won Best in Class at the 2013 Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance.

by Dan Vaughan

Hardtop Coupe
Chassis number: FV457H41
Engine number: 0207

Facel Vega was created in 1954, although Facel was founded in 1939 as an - aviation supplier. Facel was a metal-stamping company that expanded into car manufacturing in the early 1950s as a supplier of special bodies for Panhard, Delahaye, and Simca.

The Vega debuted at the 1954 Paris Salon and by 1956 the cars were called FVS (Facel Vega Sport). The 1954 models came with a DeSoto V8 engine, paired with a Chrysler automatic transmission or a four-speed manual. The tubular-framed chassis features coil springs and double wishbones at the front, with a live rear axle. The interior had an aircraft-inspired dashboard. The rear seats fold flat to provide a luggage platform and access to the trunk. By 1956, the FVS featured a wrap-around windshield. Power steering and brakes were standard in 1957. In 1958, a three-speed automatic and disc brakes were available along with the 5.8L Chrysler Hemi V8 with 325 horsepower.

Facel Vegas attracted a clientele including Pablo Picasso, Christian Dior, Ringo Starr, Max Factor Jr., Dean Martin, Fred Astaire, and Frank Sinatra. Stirling Moss would drive his Facel Vega from event to event rather than fly.

Hardtop Coupe
Chassis number: FVSNY258

The Facel motor company was named for the acronym of Forges et Ateliers de Constructions d'Eure-et-Loir. They originally supplied automobile bodies in limited numbers to various brands such as Delahaye and Panhard. As the bespoke coachwork market continued to dwindle, they launched their own complete motorcar in 1954. It was named for the brightest star in the constellation of Lyra - the Vega. These were hand-built vehicles that were expensive and exclusive.

In 1958, the Facel Vega Typhoon, also known as the FV4, was introduced and produced for just one year. It was designed by Jean Daninos, Lance Macklin a celebrity from HWM racing, and M. Brasseur. It had a masculine stance with double-stacked headlights, and a high-performance 348 cubic-inch V8 Hemi engine that was fed by two four-barrel Carter carburetors and mated with a 'TorqueFlite' three-speed push-button automatic transmission. The engine offered 325 horsepower and 425 feet-pounds of torque. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in eight seconds and had a top speed of 140 mph.

Just thirty-six of these vehicles were built.

This particular example was delivered in silver paint over a burgundy leather interior. It is believed that its current owner is the fourth caretaker. At some point in its life, it is believed that it was given a sympathetic restoration.

The current owner acquired the car in 2014 and believes it had received a frame-on restoration several years prior.

This car has power steering, windows, and brakes. There is a tachometer, AM/FM radio, fog lights, and stock Borrani wheels with a spare, knock-off hammer, and jack, plus the original engine cover. The 354 cubic-inch Chrysler Hemi V8 engine is fitted with dual 4-barrel Carter carburetors and produces 300 horsepower. There is a push-button automatic transmission and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes.

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.

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.

by Dan Vaughan