Facel-Vega Motor Cars

1955 Facel Vega FV1

Facel-Vega was the brainchild of Jean Daninos, whose determination led him to recreate the classic French grande routière exemplified by Bugatti, Delage, Delahaye, Hotchkiss and Talbot-Lago in the years between the wars.

After working with Citroën on the development of pressed steel bodies, Daninos established Forges et Ateliers de Construction d'Eure-et-Loir in 1939 for the manufacture of aircraft components and metal furniture, specializing in stainless steel.

After the war, Facel built bodies for Panhard, Simca and Ford-France and also produced Pininfarina-designed coachwork for the Daninos-inspired Bentley Cresta, precursor of the famed Bentley Continental.

Building on the experience of these ventures, Daninos unveiled his first Facel - the aptly named Vega - at the Paris Salon in 1954. Over the next 10 years, the range progressed from the FV to the HK500 and Facel II models - all being fitted with the most powerful Chrysler V8 engines available.

They were luxuriously appointed 2+2 coupes except for a limited-production limousine, the Excellence, produced from 1958 to 1962, with the remarkable feature of four doors with no central pillar.

In 1959 the Facellia was introduced at the Paris Salon. This beautiful two-seater convertible was a major step by Daninos towards his ultimate aim of an all-French car. The 1647cc twin overhead cam engine was designed and manufactured in collaboration with Pont à Mousson, who were already producing manual gearboxes for the Chrysler-engined cars. The Facellia range was later expanded to include two- and four-seater fixed-head coupes.

Unfortunately, despite some advanced features and high power output for its size, lack of development and production difficulties caused disappointing reliability and the poor publicity led directly to the demise of the company. Later versions of the small Facel were powered by Volvo or Austin-Healey engines.

Approximately 2900 cars of all models were hand-built in the short life of Facel. All were stylish, luxurious and fast. Naturally they were also very expensive - prices for the Facel II were comparable to those of the equivalent Rolls Royce - and were bought by the rich and famous seeking something different and distinctive.

The exclusive styling and prestigious aura appealed to royalty and other notables. To complete the grande routière image, 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.

Because of the small production numbers the marque has been largely forgotten except by classic car buffs and the few members of a Facel-Vega Car Club, which must be one of the smallest clubs of its kind.

In recent years however, some well restored cars have appeared leading to renewed interest in this first of the post-war EuroAmerican hybrids. The supercar appearance of the HK500 and the elegant French style of the Facel II create a stir when displayed today as much as when they were first seen, and the Facellia remains one of the prettiest and most well-appointed small sports cars ever produced.

Jean is the brother of French writer and humorist Pierre Daninos.

We are looking for the following cars. If you do have any of the below listed vehicles - and you are ready to sell - please Contact Us.

We buy, sell, broker, locate, consign and appraise exceptional classic, sports and collector Facel-Vegas'

Contact us when you are serious about buying a fine Facel-Vega Motor Car or to arrange a free and confidential valuation with a view to selling.