Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 123
Proceeds from sale to benefit multiple philanthropic organizations 1953 Facel Ford Comète Coachwork by Facel Metallon Chassis no. 1016 Engine no. 606523
Sold for US$42,560 inc. premium
Lot 123
Proceeds from sale to benefit multiple philanthropic organizations 1953 Facel Ford Comète Coachwork by Facel Metallon
Proceeds from sale to benefit multiple philanthropic organizations
1953 Facel Ford Comète
Coachwork by Facel Metallon
Chassis no. 1016
Engine no. 606523
1953 Facel Ford Comète
Coachwork by Facel Metallon
Chassis no. 1016
Engine no. 606523
2,355cc Flathead Ford V8
Single Downdraft Carburetor
103bhp at 3,800rpm
3-Speed Column-Shift Manual Transmission
Independent Front and Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring Rear Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*Rarely seen, coachbuilt machine
*Ex-Martin Swig
*Eligible for many desirable events and tours
*Competent, tour-proven machine
THE FACEL SIMCA
Renowned French coach building firm Facel Metallon, founded by Jean Daninos, was best known for its Facel-Vegas, though they also produced lesser known and rarer Simcas and Fords. The Simca Huit Sport arrived in 1951, carrying a body likely inspired by a 1949 Pininfarina Ferrari. In 1953, Ford of France, admiring the Simca, decided that an equally beautiful coupe body in a more powerful package would be well received. It was, leading to a production run of approximately 3,000 in 1953/54. Almost all were sold within France, where the Facel Ford Comète was one of the highest priced cars offered. They had some potential for competition, as evidenced by the noted French pilot Pierre Levegh's entry in the 1954 Monte Carlo Rally.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This car was found in central France about 28 years ago and purchased by two Facel enthusiast brothers. They carefully restored the car to correct 1953 specification, preserving all the details that make these Facel cars so special. Sometime later the car was exported to the US where, for several years, it join the collection of California enthusiast Martin Swig, who maintained regularly but infrequently used it before selling it in 2011. From Swig the car traveled to a Southern California collection where it resided for a subsequent four years. In the care of that owner, the radiator flushed and pressure tested, the belts and hoses replaced, the water pumps rebuilt, and the wheel bearings repacked. After successfully completing the 2015 California Mille, the current owner acquired the car. The sporty look and the luxurious belted leather interior gives the Comète a offer the feeling of being in a fine English haberdashery. The scarcity of the Comète will insure you being the only one around that has one.
Having covered some 5,000 blissful kilometers since 2011, this Comète is ready to grace a new garage. The car performs well and drives easily and is eligible for a number of high-profile road events. It would also make an excellent Concours entry and is sure to attract approving interest wherever it goes.
Footnotes
The proceeds from the sale of the Tsuru Collection will be deposited into a Donor Advised Fund and then distributed to multiple philanthropic organizations locally, regionally, nationally and globally. The Tsuru family supports and is active in; Houston-based literacy initiatives including the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation, faith based needs based education through Yellowstone Academy, relieving the epidemic of homelessness with Star of Hope Mission, reducing the degree divide through support of the college access and completion programs of OneGoal and the Boy Scouts of America. On a global level the Tsurus serve orphans of the Sub-Saharan Africa's AIDS crisis through Family Legacy Mission International.
Saleroom notices
Please note, this vehicle is titled under engine number 4F22E606523.
Additional information
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