Gabriel Rapetti
Head of Sale, Senior Specialist
LOT 115
1962 Facel Vega Facel II Coupé Chassis no. HK2 A197 Engine no. TY7 29688
Sold for €143,750 inc. premium
Lot 115
1962 Facel Vega Facel II Coupé
1962 Facel Vega Facel II Coupé
Chassis no. HK2 A197
Engine no. TY7 29688
Chassis no. HK2 A197
Engine no. TY7 29688
• Two owners from new
• Delivered new in France
• 6.2-litre Chrysler V8 engine
• Desirable manual gearbox
• Very important history file
• Valid French Contrôle Technique
"The HK500 was the most interesting car we ever made but the Facel II was the best. It was totally elegant." – Jean Daninos.
During its short existence, Facel built nearly 2,900 cars, all assembled by hand and all intended for a select clientele, including Tony Curtis, Ringo Starr, Ava Gardner, Stirling Moss and Maurice Trintignant.
Facel, founded in December 1939 as a subsidiary of Bronzavia (a supplier grisof military aeronautical equipment), merged with Métallon after the Second World War and began producing bodywork for Panhard, Simca and Ford before becoming an independent car manufacturer. After the war, despite regulations that had caused the last French luxury car manufacturers to disappear, Jean Daninos decided to pursue his project to build a luxury saloon car in France: the Vega. Unable to find a suitable engine in France, Daninos turned to the United States and retained this option for all his models. The first improvements to the FV were not long in coming, and the FV1 launched in March 1955 featured a longer wheelbase and a 4.8-litre Chrysler V8 engine. In 1957, an improved model appeared, the HK 500, equipped with the latest version of the 5.9-litre Chrysler V8, capable of reaching 225 km/h, reaching 100 km/h in less than 9 seconds and delivering 360 horsepower.
Launched in 1961, the Facel II was to be the last model with a V8 engine. During a test drive in 1962, Autocar wrote: 'The large Facel, a striking combination of French, American and British components, covers the miles at high speed without any mechanical problems.' But following an unsuccessful attempt to produce the Facellia's engines in-house, which bankrupted the company, production ceased in 1964 after around 180 Facel IIs had been produced. The Facel II, the direct successor to the HK500, although more refined, lighter and more sophisticated, also embodies French luxury and elegance: Connolly leather, precious woods, instrumentation by Parisian watchmaker Jaeger, etc. Today, these rare Franco-American GTs are among the most sought-after post-war classics.
This magnificent Facel II was purchased new in November 1962 from Pierre Savoye Automobile in Paris by its first owner, Mr Bernard Delbreil-Berges (original invoice, financing contract, Facel order form, Pierre Savoye Automobile order form and correspondence between Mr Delbreil-Berges and Pierre Savoye Automobile included in the file). The car was ordered from Facel with the following options: manual gearbox, black leather dashboard, tinted windows, power steering, air conditioning, seat belts and headrests for the front right seat.
Thanks to the archives accompanying the car, we learn that in early 1963, Mr Delbreil-Berges had a collision on the road between Cahors and Toulouse, the car was sent to Facel in Paris to have the right side of the bodywork restored and to be completely repainted in its original colour, Gregio Glacé (the file contains the bailiff's report, the expert's report, Facel's restoration invoices and all the original correspondence between the various parties involved). The correspondence between Mr Delbreil-Berges and Facel, included in the car's file, tells us that the engine was changed in the summer of 1963 by Facel, as the car's first owner was dissatisfied with its performance. The car was thus fitted with a 6.2-litre Chrysler V8 with twin carburettors. In another letter from 1964, sent by the first owner to Facel regarding an upcoming tyre change, we discover that with this new engine, Mr Delbreil-Berges enjoyed driving at very high speeds, admitting to regularly driving between 150km/h and 200km/h!
Before selling the car to its current owner (the second) in May 2005, its first owner had various repairs carried out at ALS in Beauzelle for a total of over €15,000 (corresponding invoices in the file). Since then, the car has been serviced by the current owner's mechanic.
The car comes with an extensive history file, contained in a 100-page binder containing the original documents (invoices, correspondence, expert reports, etc.) compiled by the two owners. The file contains extensive correspondence between the first owner, Facel Vega and Pierre Savoye Automobile, the original purchase invoice, the corresponding financing contract, various maintenance and repair invoices (from both owners), the current owner's purchase invoice, a 2013 expert report, various maintenance invoices, the owner's workshop manual, technical documents, a valid French MOT certificate and a French registration document.
This is undoubtedly a unique opportunity to acquire what was considered at the time to be the fastest four-seater of its era, having had only two owners and coming with a very important historical file.
• Delivered new in France
• 6.2-litre Chrysler V8 engine
• Desirable manual gearbox
• Very important history file
• Valid French Contrôle Technique
"The HK500 was the most interesting car we ever made but the Facel II was the best. It was totally elegant." – Jean Daninos.
During its short existence, Facel built nearly 2,900 cars, all assembled by hand and all intended for a select clientele, including Tony Curtis, Ringo Starr, Ava Gardner, Stirling Moss and Maurice Trintignant.
Facel, founded in December 1939 as a subsidiary of Bronzavia (a supplier grisof military aeronautical equipment), merged with Métallon after the Second World War and began producing bodywork for Panhard, Simca and Ford before becoming an independent car manufacturer. After the war, despite regulations that had caused the last French luxury car manufacturers to disappear, Jean Daninos decided to pursue his project to build a luxury saloon car in France: the Vega. Unable to find a suitable engine in France, Daninos turned to the United States and retained this option for all his models. The first improvements to the FV were not long in coming, and the FV1 launched in March 1955 featured a longer wheelbase and a 4.8-litre Chrysler V8 engine. In 1957, an improved model appeared, the HK 500, equipped with the latest version of the 5.9-litre Chrysler V8, capable of reaching 225 km/h, reaching 100 km/h in less than 9 seconds and delivering 360 horsepower.
Launched in 1961, the Facel II was to be the last model with a V8 engine. During a test drive in 1962, Autocar wrote: 'The large Facel, a striking combination of French, American and British components, covers the miles at high speed without any mechanical problems.' But following an unsuccessful attempt to produce the Facellia's engines in-house, which bankrupted the company, production ceased in 1964 after around 180 Facel IIs had been produced. The Facel II, the direct successor to the HK500, although more refined, lighter and more sophisticated, also embodies French luxury and elegance: Connolly leather, precious woods, instrumentation by Parisian watchmaker Jaeger, etc. Today, these rare Franco-American GTs are among the most sought-after post-war classics.
This magnificent Facel II was purchased new in November 1962 from Pierre Savoye Automobile in Paris by its first owner, Mr Bernard Delbreil-Berges (original invoice, financing contract, Facel order form, Pierre Savoye Automobile order form and correspondence between Mr Delbreil-Berges and Pierre Savoye Automobile included in the file). The car was ordered from Facel with the following options: manual gearbox, black leather dashboard, tinted windows, power steering, air conditioning, seat belts and headrests for the front right seat.
Thanks to the archives accompanying the car, we learn that in early 1963, Mr Delbreil-Berges had a collision on the road between Cahors and Toulouse, the car was sent to Facel in Paris to have the right side of the bodywork restored and to be completely repainted in its original colour, Gregio Glacé (the file contains the bailiff's report, the expert's report, Facel's restoration invoices and all the original correspondence between the various parties involved). The correspondence between Mr Delbreil-Berges and Facel, included in the car's file, tells us that the engine was changed in the summer of 1963 by Facel, as the car's first owner was dissatisfied with its performance. The car was thus fitted with a 6.2-litre Chrysler V8 with twin carburettors. In another letter from 1964, sent by the first owner to Facel regarding an upcoming tyre change, we discover that with this new engine, Mr Delbreil-Berges enjoyed driving at very high speeds, admitting to regularly driving between 150km/h and 200km/h!
Before selling the car to its current owner (the second) in May 2005, its first owner had various repairs carried out at ALS in Beauzelle for a total of over €15,000 (corresponding invoices in the file). Since then, the car has been serviced by the current owner's mechanic.
The car comes with an extensive history file, contained in a 100-page binder containing the original documents (invoices, correspondence, expert reports, etc.) compiled by the two owners. The file contains extensive correspondence between the first owner, Facel Vega and Pierre Savoye Automobile, the original purchase invoice, the corresponding financing contract, various maintenance and repair invoices (from both owners), the current owner's purchase invoice, a 2013 expert report, various maintenance invoices, the owner's workshop manual, technical documents, a valid French MOT certificate and a French registration document.
This is undoubtedly a unique opportunity to acquire what was considered at the time to be the fastest four-seater of its era, having had only two owners and coming with a very important historical file.
Footnotes
1962 Facel Vega Facel II Coupé
Chassis n° : HK2 A197
Engine n° : TY7 29688
• Deux propriétaires depuis sa sortie d'usine
• Livrée neuve en France
• Moteur V8 Chrysler de 6,2 litres
• Boite de vitesses manuelle très rechercée
• Très important dossier historique
• Contrôle technique français valide
« La HK500 était la voiture la plus intéressante que nous ayons jamais construite, mais la Facel II était la meilleure. Elle était d'une élégance absolue. » – Jean Daninos.
Au cours de sa courte existence, Facel a construit près de 2.900 voitures, toutes assemblées à la main et toutes destinées à une clientèle choisie parmi laquelle on retrouvera notamment Tony Curtis, Ringo Starr, Ava Gardner, Stirling Moss ou Maurice Trintignant.
Facel, fondée en décembre 1939 en tant que filiale de Bronzavia (un fournisseur de matériel aéronautique militaire) a, après la Seconde Guerre mondiale, fusionné avec Métallon et débuté la production de carrosseries pour Panhard, Simca ou Ford avant de devenir un constructeur automobile indépendant. Après la guerre, et malgré une réglementation ayant fait disparaître les derniers constructeurs d'automobiles de luxe français, Jean Daninos décida de poursuivre son projet de construire en France une grande routière de luxe : la Vega. Faute de pouvoir trouver au plan national un moteur digne d'elle, Daninos se tourna vers les Etats-Unis et conservera cette option pour tous ses modèles. Les premières améliorations de la FV ne tardèrent pas, et la FV1 lancée en mars 1955 fut dotée d'un empattement allongé et d'un V8 Chrysler de 4,8 litres. En 1957, apparait un modèle amélioré, la HK 500, équipé de la dernière version du V8 Chrysler de 5,9 litres, permettant d'accrocher les 225 km/h, d'atteidre les 100 km/h en moins de 9 secondes et délivrant 360 chevaux.
Lancée en 1961, la Facel II devait être la dernière à motorisation V8. Lors d'un essai effectué en 1962, Autocar écrivait : "La grande Facel, cette saisissante association de composants français, américains et britanniques, abat les kilomètres à grande vitesse et sans ennuis mécaniques." Mais à la suite d'une tentative malheureuse de production des moteurs Facellia en interne, qui mit l'entreprise en faillite, la production prit fin en 1964 après qu'environ 180 Facel II eurent été produites. La Facel II, directe héritière de la HK500, quoique plus raffinée, moins lourde et plus aboutie, reprend elle aussi les codes du luxe et de l'élégance à la française : cuir Connolly, bois précieux, instrumentation de l'horloger parisien Jaeger etc... De nos jours, ces rares GT franco-américaines font partie des classiques d'après-guerre les plus recherchées.
Cette magnifique Facel II a été achetée neuve en novembre 1962 chez Pierre Savoye Automobile à Paris par son premier propriétaire, M. Bernard Delbreil-Berges (facture d'origine, contrat de financement, bon de commande Facel, bon de commande Pierre Savoye Automobile et courriers d'échanges entre M. Delbreil-Berges et Pierre Savoye Automobile figurant au dossier). La voiture a été commandée auprès Facel avec les options suivantes : boite de vitesses manuelle, tableau de bord en cuir noir tendu, vitres teintées, direction assistée, climatisation, ceintures de sécurité et appuie-tête pour le siège avant droit.
Grace aux archives accompagnant l'auto, nous apprenons qu'au début de l'année 1963, M. Delbreil-Berges a eu un accrochage sur la route reliant Cahors à Toulouse, la voiture ayant été envoyée chez Facel à Paris pour restaurer le côté droit de la carrosserie et refaire en intégralité la peinture dans sa couleur d'origine à savoir Gregio Glacé (le dossier contient le procès-verbal d'huissier, le rapport d'expertise, les factures de travaux de restauration de Facel ainsi que toute la correspondance originale entre les différentes parties prenantes). La correspondance entre M. Delbreil-Berges et Facel, figurant dans le dossier de l'auto, nous apprend que le moteur a été changé à l'été 1963 par Facel, le premier propriétaire de l'auto étant insatisfait du comportement de ce denier. L'auto reçut ainsi un V8 Chrysler de 6,2 litres à double carburateurs. Dans une autre lettre de 1964, adressée par le premier propriétaire à Facel au sujet d'un changement de pneumatiques à venir, nous découvrons qu'avec ce nouveau moteur, M. Delbreil-Berges appréciait se déplacer à très grande vitesse, avouant rouler régulièrement entre 150km/h et 200km/h !
Avant de vendre l'auto à son propriétaire actuel (le deuxième) en mai 2005, son premier propriétaire a fait effectuer diverses réparations chez ALS à Beauzelle pour un montant supérieur à 15.000 € (factures correspondantes au dossier). Depuis lors, la voiture a été entretenue par le mécanicien de son propriétaire actuel.
La voiture est livrée avec un dossier historique important, contenu dans un classeur de 100 pages contenant les documents originaux (factures, correspondance, rapports d'experts, etc.) compilés par les deux propriétaires. Le dossier contient une correspondance abondante entre le premier propriétaire, Facel Vega et Pierre Savoye Automobile, la facture d'achat originale, le contrat de financement correspondant, diverses factures d'entretien et de réparation (des deux propriétaires), la facture d'achat du propriétaire actuel, un rapport d'expertise de 2013, des factures d'entretien diverses, le manuel d'atelier du propriétaire, des documents techniques, un contrôle technique français valide et une carte grise française.
Il s'agit très certainement d'une occasion unique d'acquérir ce que l'on a considéré à l'époque comme la quatre places la plus rapide de son temps, n'ayant connu que deux propriétaires et venant avec un dossier historique très important.
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