1963 Facel Vega Facel II Coupé

• The 79th Facel II produced
• Automatic transmission
• Restored in the early 2000s
• Present ownership since 2023
• Extensively refurbished (€30,000 spent)

"The HK500 was the most interesting car we ever made but the Facel II was the best. It was totally elegant." – Jean Daninos.

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, Ava Gardner, and Tony Franciosa - whose car is offered here - 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.

Forges et Ateliers de Constructions d'Eure-et-Loire (Facel) was founded in December 1939 as a subsidiary of the military aeronautics company Bronzavia. After WW2 Facel was headed by Jean Daninos, formerly Bronzavia's technical director, who merged the company with Mètallon. Facel engaged in the supply of car bodies to Panhard, Simca, and Ford before diversifying into automobile manufacture in its own right with the launch of the Vega at the 1954 Paris Salon.

Government legislation had effectively killed off France's few surviving luxury car manufacturers after WW2, but that did not deter Jean Daninos in his bold attempt to revive what had once been a great French motoring tradition. A luxurious Grand 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, Daninos turned to the USA for the Vega's, setting the pattern for future models. The engine chosen initially was Chrysler's 4.5-litre, 180bhp V8, while there was a choice of push-button automatic or Pont-à-Mousson four-speed manual transmission.
Improvements to the first FV model were not long in coming, the FV1, introduced in March 1955, featuring a lengthened wheelbase for increased rear seat room and a 4.8-litre, 200bhp Chrysler V8. A few FV1 cabriolets were built but Daninos was not keen on soft-tops and production concentrated on fixed-head coupés, although there was also the Excellence, a limited-edition four-door saloon on an extended wheelbase.

An improved model, the HK500, appeared in 1957. Maximum power was now around 360bhp courtesy of the latest, 5.9-litre (later 6.3-litre) version of Chrysler's 'Hemi' V8 while top speed rose to around 140mph, making the HK500 one of the fastest cars of its era. 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 magazine, "a brilliant combination of good comfort and quite exceptional roadholding".

Launched in 1961, the Facel II was destined to be the last of the V8-engined models. Road testing one in 1962, Autocar commented: "A striking amalgamation of French, American and British components, the big Facel has a wonderful way of covering the miles extremely fast without mechanical fuss." Following an unsuccessful venture into engine manufacture that effectively bankrupted the company, production ceased in 1964 after approximately 180 Facel IIs had been built (published figures vary). Today these rare Franco-American GTs are among the most highly sought after of post-war classics.

According to Facel factory production records kept by the Amicale Facel Holland, chassis number 'HK2 A178' was built per order of European car importer Max Hoffman for the American market. The Facel carried a production number of '178', indicating that it was the 79th Facel II produced. It was delivered with a 383ci (6.3-litre) Chrysler wedge V8 engine and TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission, and was finished in Tudor Grey with matching leather upholstery. As standard equipment the Facel II featured Dunlop disc brakes, a limited-slip differential, power steering, a single four-barrel Carter AFB carburettor, power windows, clear glass, and an HMV radio with automatic antenna. Options on this car included wire wheels and air conditioning.

This car was restored to a very high standard in the early 2000s in its original colour combination of Medium Blue with a dark red leather interior. Between 1980 and 2011 the Facel was in the collection belonging to Lee Munder of Palm Beach, Florida, and in another collection from 2012 to 2023 (see copy Florida CoT on file). In 2023 the car was purchased by our vendor and shipped to The Netherlands. The new owner had the Facel fully checked, serviced, tuned, the brakes rebuilt, new tyres fitted and the stainless steel trim removed and repolished. In addition, the car was repainted to a very high standard. According to our vendor, once stripped to bare metal it was found to be very sound, with an accident- and rust-free body. This extensive refurbishment cost approximately €30,000. As one would expect, this well restored Franco-American classic is said to run and drive beautifully.

The car is coming with is US Title and an EU taxes paid document.