Facel Vega FVS
Encyclopedia
The Facel Vega FV/FVS was a car produced by French
car maker Facel Vega
from 1954 to 1959. It continued until 1962 as the HK500.
(Chrysler) 4.5 litre Hemi V8 engine, paired with either Chrysler's two-speed Powerflite automatic transmission
or, at extra cost, a four-speed manual
made by Pont-à-Mousson. At this stage, the 180 hp FV was capable of 172 to 193 km/h (106.9 to 119.9 mph) depending on which rear axle ratio was installed. The chassis, designed by Lance Macklin, was tubular framed, featuring coil springs and double wishbones at the front, with a leaf-sprung live rear axle. Styling, by Daninos himself, was somewhat American and perhaps a bit heavy, with rudimentary tail fins. The body was an expanded version of the earlier, Facel-bodied Simca/Ford Comète
. An abundance of stainless steel brightwork was fitted.
The interior was uncommonly luxurious, and of exceptional workmanship. The dashboard was aircraft-inspired, and one of the first to feature a middle console over the gearbox. The rear seats folded flat to provide a luggage platform and additional access to the boot. In 1955 the engine capacity increased to 4.8 litres and 200 hp (FV1), which later in the year grew to 250 hp (FV2). 47 of these early FVs were built in 1954 and 1955. Six were convertibles, but as these suffered from rigidity troubles the rest of the large two-door Facels were all pillarless coupés.
A four-door version, called the Excellence
, was added to the lineup in 1958, but was even more rarefied than the two-door version.
replaced the HK500 in 1962, after 489 had been built. One was a specially made convertible. Total FV/HK production was 842 or 846 depending on the source.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
car maker Facel Vega
Facel Vega
Facel was a French manufacturer of automobiles from 1954 to 1964.The company was named after the original metal stamping company FACEL, and the company's first model, the Vega, named after the star, was introduced at the 1954 Paris Auto Show...
from 1954 to 1959. It continued until 1962 as the HK500.
FV
The Facel 'Vega' was launched at the 1954 Paris Salon. By 1956 the cars were called FVS (for Facel Vega Sport), earlier cars often being referred to as simply "FV". The 1954 versions of the Facel were fitted with a DeSoto FiredomeDeSoto Firedome
The DeSoto Firedome was a full-size automobile produced by the Chrysler Corporation for its DeSoto brand vehicles from 1952 to 1959. Introduced as DeSoto's premium line of vehicles in 1953 and 1954, the Firedome also occupied the least expensive position in the model lineup during 1955 and 1956...
(Chrysler) 4.5 litre Hemi V8 engine, paired with either Chrysler's two-speed Powerflite automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
or, at extra cost, a four-speed manual
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
made by Pont-à-Mousson. At this stage, the 180 hp FV was capable of 172 to 193 km/h (106.9 to 119.9 mph) depending on which rear axle ratio was installed. The chassis, designed by Lance Macklin, was tubular framed, featuring coil springs and double wishbones at the front, with a leaf-sprung live rear axle. Styling, by Daninos himself, was somewhat American and perhaps a bit heavy, with rudimentary tail fins. The body was an expanded version of the earlier, Facel-bodied Simca/Ford Comète
Ford Comète
The Ford Comète was a car built between 1951 and 1954 in France by the Ford Motor Company's French subsidiary, Ford SAF. Intended as the luxury model in the range, the Comète's bodywork was built by FACEL, who later produced the better-known Facel Vega luxury cars under their own name...
. An abundance of stainless steel brightwork was fitted.
The interior was uncommonly luxurious, and of exceptional workmanship. The dashboard was aircraft-inspired, and one of the first to feature a middle console over the gearbox. The rear seats folded flat to provide a luggage platform and additional access to the boot. In 1955 the engine capacity increased to 4.8 litres and 200 hp (FV1), which later in the year grew to 250 hp (FV2). 47 of these early FVs were built in 1954 and 1955. Six were convertibles, but as these suffered from rigidity troubles the rest of the large two-door Facels were all pillarless coupés.
FVS
The 1956 FVS featured a panoramic windshield. Sometimes referred to as FV2, it featured the same engine as in the late FV1s. Later, the 5.4-litre FV2B appeared, with 255 hp. Later versions offered a three-speed automatic, and disc brakes were available from 1958. At some point a reworked, more harmonious front end was introduced, featuring what looked like twin stacked headlights but were actually headlamps on top and auxiliaries beneath. Power steering and brakes were both standard as of 1957. For 1958, the engine grew to 5.8 litres (FV4) and 325 hp, although the earlier 4.5 and a 4.9 (FV3/FV3B) were also listed as available. In total, 357 FV and FVS were built until 1958.A four-door version, called the Excellence
Facel Vega Excellence
The Excellence was a luxury saloon unveiled by Facel-Vega of Paris, France at the Paris Auto Show in October 1956 to rave reviews by the motoring press....
, was added to the lineup in 1958, but was even more rarefied than the two-door version.
HK500
For 1959, the Facel Vega HK500 was introduced. Essentially, it was just a renamed, upgraded FVS. Originally equipped with the 335 hp 5.8-litre V8 from the late FVS, the HK500 soon received a 360bhp 6.3 litre Chrysler V8 making for a top speed of 147mph (237km/h). 60 miles per hour came up in 8.5 seconds. Initially disc brakes were only optional, but were eventually made standard in April 1960. The crisply designed Facel Vega IIFacel Vega II
The Facel Vega 'Facel II was a French Grand Touring car produced by Facel between the years 1962 and 1964.By 1962 the Paris-based Facel Vega company was facing bankruptcy. The Facel II was to be the company's last attempt to create a luxury GT car in the French tradition.The Facel ll was very...
replaced the HK500 in 1962, after 489 had been built. One was a specially made convertible. Total FV/HK production was 842 or 846 depending on the source.
| Production | |
|---|---|
| 1954-1955 | 47 (FV) |
| 1956 | 107 (FVS) |
| 1957 | 118 (FVS) |
| 1958 | 85 (FVS) 71 (HK500) |
| 1959 | 190 (HK500) |
| 1960 | 202 (HK500) |
| 1961 | 66 (split between HK500 and Facel II) |