Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 195
1960 Facel Vega Excellence EX1 Sedan Chassis no. B106 Engine no. TY7-187
Sold for US$38,080 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 195
1960 Facel Vega Excellence EX1 Sedan
1960 Facel Vega Excellence EX1 Sedan
Chassis no. B106
Engine no. TY7-187
Chassis no. B106
Engine no. TY7-187
5,913cc OHV Chrysler 'Wedge' V8 Engine
Single Carter AFB Carburetor
360bhp at 5,200rpm
3-Speed Chrysler TorqueFlite Automatic
Independent Coil Spring Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Servo-Assisted Drum Brakes
*One of only 154 Excellences built
*Delivered new to the United States
*The 116th Excellence produced
*Franco-American luxury
THE FACEL VEGA EXCELLENCE
In the wake of the end of WWII, France witnessed the bulk of their luxury car makers fizzle out of business. Bugatti, Delahaye, and Talbot-Lago had all either left the market or we're hanging by a thread by the mid-50s. It was out of these ashes that Facel Vega sprung forth onto the market. Founded in 1939 by Jean Daninos, Facel, an acronym standing for FACEL 'Forges et Ateliers de Construction d'Eure-et-Loir' (in English: forge and construction workshop of the department of Eure-et-Loir), was a metal stamping company that built bodies for the likes of Panhard, Simca, and the aforementioned Delahaye. It was in 1954 the company decided to go into production of complete cars, with its first swing at the market coming in the form of a sleek and sporting coupe, designed by Daninos, and powered by a reliable Chrysler Hemi V8.
Open and airy in design, the pillar-less FV, and later HK500, was swift and luxurious—a unique alternative to a Bentley Continental or Maserati 3500. They were quickly snapped up by wealthy industrialists and glitterati alike, proving the company's slogan: "The Few Who Own the Finest". Improving on the concept, it was determined in short order that Facel's market could be expanded by adding a couple more doors. Only two years after the introduction of the first Facel Vega coupe, the Excellence sedan was unveiled.
Clocking in at just under 17.5' long, with 125" spanning between the wheels, and tipping the scales at 4,200 pounds the Excellence was made to American proportions—a Hermès suit in size 50, extra long. Featuring elegant slab sided styling with pillarless suicide doors (beating the Lincoln Continental to the punch by a full 5 years), a wrap-around windscreen and subtle fines held sway in the front and rear, respectively.
Inside, driver and passengers alike were coddled by soft and 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. In the back seats, the wood grain theme continued on the backs of the seats, along with a vanity and a second radio head unit. Power windows where, of course, standard.
Production began in May of 1958. Under the hood in the first edition of EX cars was Chrysler's 392ci Hemi V8, but this engine was virtually out of production by the time Facel released the Excellence, so only seven were built as equipped. The next iteration, the EX1 released in October of 1958, featured the 361ci, 360hp "Wedge" V8. Offered with either a TorqueFlite automatic or Pont-à-Mousson manual, the Excellence could reach 140mph with either transmission. From 1959 on, optional disc brakes hauled the big car to a stop. July 1961 saw the introduction of the final version of the Excellence, the EX2, which dropped the wrap around windscreen, smoothed out the tail fins, added turn-down door handles with improved latches, chassis improvements derived from the HK500 and Facel II mitigated earlier chassis flex problems, and featured the big 383ci, 390hp V8 under the front lid.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Originally finished in black over beige leather, according to Facel Vega club records, this car was delivered new to the United States through Max Hoffman's distribution company. The 116th of 154 Excellences built, its early history is not documented. By 1982 it was recorded as being with E. Williamson in the US. A copy of a Virginia title shows it in the collection of Robert Luther of Alexandria, Virginia in 1994, shortly before being sold to Jeff and Dorothy Lace of Huntington Beach, California in September of that year with 34,039 miles recorded—a figure that is described as 'actual mileage' on the title.
The subject of a cosmetic refinishing at least twenty-five years ago, the car is now painted two-tone gold over black with a vibrant interior in red leather with cream piping. Acquired by the current owner in February of 2000, the odometer indicates under 30 miles have been covered by the big saloon in the past 29 years. Given its relative lack of use since the Clinton administration, mechanical recommissioning is recommended prior to active touring. Complete with its original tool tray, this rarely seen luxury car would make a unique and special addition to just about any collection.
Additional information
Looking for a similar item?
Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistSpecialist section
Mark Osborne
Global Director of Motorsport
Auction Viewings
- 1 March 2023, 09:00 - 19:00 EST
- 2 March 2023, 09:00 - 10:00 EST
