Richard Stafford
Senior Specialist, Head of Research
LOT 47 N
1960 Facel Vega HK500 Coupé Registration no. Not Registered Chassis no. HK1 BX6 Engine no. TY7 31525
Sold for £66,700 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 47N
1960 Facel Vega HK500 Coupé Registration no. Not Registered Chassis no. HK1 BX6 Engine no. TY7 31525
1960 Facel Vega HK500 Coupé
Registration no. Not Registered
Chassis no. HK1 BX6
Engine no. TY7 31525
Registration no. Not Registered
Chassis no. HK1 BX6
Engine no. TY7 31525
• Offered without reserve
• One of only some 500 HK500s made
• Left-hand drive
• Matching engine and chassis numbers
• Desirable manual gearbox
• Present ownership since circa 2013
• Stored since acquisition
• One of only some 500 HK500s made
• Left-hand drive
• Matching engine and chassis numbers
• Desirable manual gearbox
• Present ownership since circa 2013
• Stored since acquisition
Footnotes
In its relatively short life, the French firm of Facel produced approximately 2,900 cars, all of which were stylish, luxurious and fast. Hand built, they were, of course, necessarily very expensive – the Facel II was priced in Rolls-Royce territory – and were bought by the rich and famous seeking something exclusive and distinctive. The roll call of owners includes royalty, politicians, diplomats and entertainers: Tony Curtis, Danny Kaye, Ringo Starr, Joan Fontaine and Ava Gardner being counted among the latter. Confirming that there was high-performance substance behind Facel's unquestionable style, they were owned and driven by great motor racing figures such as Sir Stirling Moss, Maurice Trintignant and Rob Walker.
From being chiefly engaged in the supply of car bodies to Panhard, Simca and Ford France, Facel branched out into automobile manufacture in its own right in 1954 with the launch of the Vega at the 1954 Paris Salon. A luxurious Grande Routière, the Vega took its name from the brightest star in the Lyra constellation and featured supremely elegant coupé bodywork welded to a tubular-steel chassis. There being no suitable French-built power unit, Facel turned to the USA for the Vega's, that chosen initially being Chrysler's 4.5-litre, 180bhp V8, while there was a choice of push-button automatic or manual transmission.
An improved model, the HK500, appeared in 1957. Maximum power was now around 360bhp courtesy of the latest, 5.9-litre version of Chrysler's 'hemi' V8 and top speed rose to around 140mph. Power steering became an option and Dunlop disc brakes were adopted as standard equipment in 1960. Capable of effortless and virtually silent 120mph cruising, the HK500 possessed, according to The Motor, 'a brilliant combination of good comfort and quite exceptional roadholding.' HK 500 production amounted to a mere 500-or-so units between 1958 and 1961.
This rare Franco-American Grande Routière was sold new in France, production number 763, and originally delivered in Tudor Grey, with a red interior and 4-speed gearbox. Little is known of the cars history since, but it is understood to have been purchased by the vendor in circa 2013, since when it has been on static display. As a result of the years on static display, the car will require recommissioning before being returned to the road.
Please note that if this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. It will also require a NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) and an additional fee of £250 (plus VAT) will be charged on the Invoice to prepare the NOVA. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.
Saleroom notices
Since going to print, further information has come to light on the history of this car. It was sold at auction in America in 2009, understood to be showing 9,577 original miles, and purchased by our vendor soon after. In the previous description of the car it was noted that it was delivered new to Emilio Azcarraga Milmo as a wedding gift for his niece, and kept at the family's estate for many years accounting for the low mileage. The current odometer reading is 9,581.
Additional information
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Lot symbols
| N | NOVA declaration |
| If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (CARS) to undertake the NOVA on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £350 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice. |
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