Beschreibung
After working with Citroen on the development of pressed steel bodies, Jean Daninos established Forges et Ateliers de Construction d’Eure-et-Loir (FACEL) in 1939. , the company chiefly specialising in the manufacture of aircraft components in stainless steel. After the second world war Facel built vehicle bodies for companies such as Simca, Panhard and Ford-France.
Facel became a motor manufacturer in its own right with the unveiling of the first Facel Vega at the Paris Salon in 1954, the car being named after the brightest star in the Lyra constellation. The extremely elegant steel bodywork was welded to a tubular chassis the car being powered by a Chrysler 4. 5 litre V8 engine, there being no suitable French-built power unit available at the time.
An updated and improved model, the HK500, appeared in 1959. Fitted with the latest Chrysler 5. 9 litre version of Chryslers ‘Hemi’ V8, top speed rose to around 140 mph. Power steering became an option and Dunlop disc brakes became standard equipment in 1960.
Capable of effortless and virtually silent 120mph cruising, the car was described in ‘The Motor’ as ‘a brilliant combination of good comfort and quite exceptional roadholding’
Attracting clients such as Pablo Picasso, Ava Gardner, Sir Stirling Moss, Ringo Starr, Tony Curtis, Maurice Trintignant, Joan Fontaine, Danny Kaye, François Truffaut and Rob Walker, the HK500 remained in production until 1961 by which time some 548 are thought to have been made. Though, according to the Facel Vega Car Club's website just 98 of these were supplied new to the UK.
The RHD car shown here is chassis number BF8, which was manufactured in February 1960, and delivered new to its first owner by HWM in the UK The car was originally finished in Silver grey metallic paintwork with a bright red leather interior, and was fitted with closed steel Borrani wheels with Rudge hubs and ‘knock off’ spinners. The car also featured the manual ‘Pont a Mousson’ gearbox and disc brakes.
The body and chassis have previously been stripped and prepared for restoration and a full engine and gearbox re-build is also currently in progress. We are now ready to offer the early opportunity to take ownership of this rare and appreciating classic car in combination with a full Spellbound Cars restoration.
Please feel free to contact us for more information this unique purchase opportunity.
