Description
These are our favourite cars in the world, bar none, and sell more, here, than anywhere else in the world. Here we have a very rare example of the most interesting luxury coupe from the sixties. This 1962 Facel Vega Facel II, HK2 B122 is one of only 156 left hand drive examples, she is finished in Black with a lovely Beige Leather Interior, has been in storage with the same collector for over 33 years! and has only just resurfaced! She is ready for a light restoration but is complete and ready to go!
Built by one of France’s most famous manufacturers of high-speed grand tourers, the Facel II continued the marque’s tradition of American performance coupled with French styling. Powered by a 355bhp, Chrysler V8, the four-seater Facel II could sprint from 0-60mph in 7. 8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 134mph while carrying its passengers in total luxury. This intoxicating experience made the Facel II one of the most desirable cars of early 1960s society. Approximately 180 of the Vega II were manufactured between 1962 and 1964. In its relatively short life, the French firm of Facel produced around 2, 900 cars, all of which were stylish, luxurious and fast. Hand-built, they were, of course, necessarily very expensive, the Vega II was priced in Rolls-Royce territory and were bought by the rich and famous seeking something exclusive and distinctive. Founded by Jean Daninos in 1939, Forges et Ateliers de Construction d'Eure-et-Loir (FACEL) specialised in the construction of aircraft components and metal furniture. After the war, the company engaged in the supply of car bodies to Panhard, Simca and Ford France before branching out into automobile manufacture in its own right with the launch of the Vega at the 1954 Paris Motor Show. Government legislation had effectively killed off France's few surviving luxury car manufacturers after the Second World War but that did not deter Jean Daninos in his bold attempt to revive what had once been a great French motoring tradition. A luxurious grande routière, the Vega featured supremely elegant coupé bodywork welded to a tubular-steel chassis. The roll call of esteemed owners includes royalty, politicians, diplomats and entertainers such as: Tony Curtis, Danny Kaye, Joan Fontaine, Ava Gardner and Ringo Starr as well as great motor racing figures such as Sir Stirling Moss, Maurice Trintignant and Rob Walker.
This car was sold new in November 1962 by Hoffman Motors of Los Angeles and was originally ordered in the beautiful Blue Facel Irise, a lovely mid metallic blue, with Light Beige Leather, it is an automatic car and has its original engine still fitted. She was specified with Borrani Wire Wheels from new. The car is now Black with Light Beige Leather. We pick up the history of the car in the mid eighties when it was a regular at the univeristy of Miami Car park! In January 1990 the car was imported to Holland by Classic Sports Cars Holland and then exported to the last owner in Germany later in 1990. During the shipping process a container dropped on the rear nearside wing and so the car has remained in storage ever since waiting for restoration! As you can see in the photos, the interior has already been restored and is in a lovely condition, with just the body and mechanicals to be gone through.
These are very stylish cars and are relatively simple mechanically, Jean Daninos was once quoted as saying "The HK500 was the most interesting car we ever made but the Facel II was the best. It was totally elegant." This Facel Vega II offers excellent value given the rarity and to this day is seen as one of the most iconic pieces of automotive design. This is certainly the cheapest Facel II we will ever be able to offer for the forseeable future, and would be a rewarding and worthwhile project!
