1963 Facel Vega Facel II Coupé - .BONHAMS AUCTIONS Goodwood Revival Sale Saturday 14th September 2019 Goodwood Circuit, Chichester

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FEATURED AUCTION

.BONHAMS AUCTIONS

Goodwood Revival Sale

Saturday 14th September 2019
Goodwood Circuit, Chichester

From the collection of the late Barry Burnett

1963 Facel Vega Facel II Coupé

Registration no. 705 CUT

Chassis no. HK2AB104

* First owned Sir Arthur Frederick Wheeler, Bart

* One of only 182 made

* Rare right-hand drive model

* Acquired by Barry Burnett in 2003

• "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 necessarily very expensive – the Facel II was priced in Rolls-Royce territory – and 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, and Ava Gardner being counted among the latter. Confirming that there was the 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.
  Founded by Jean Daninos in 1939, Facel engaged in the supply of car bodies after WW2 before diversifying into automobile manufacture in its own right with the launch of the Vega at the 1954 Paris Salon. A luxurious Grande Routière, the Vega featured supremely elegant coupé bodywork welded to a tubular-steel chassis. There being no suitable French-built power unit, Daninos turned to the USA, that chosen being a Chrysler V8, setting the pattern for future models.
  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 a mere 182 Facel IIs had been built. Today these rare Franco-American GTs are among the most highly sought after of post-war classics.
  This rare right-hand drive Facel II was first registered on 26th April 1963 to Sir Arthur Frederick Wheeler, Bart. The car retains its original registration mark, '705 CUT', and comes with its original buff logbook listing two further owners after Sir Arthur Wheeler, the last of whom acquired the Facel in 1966. '705 CUT ' was acquired by the late Barry Burnett in March 2003 and will have been serviced for the sale by Edwards Motorsports (near Bristol).
  In addition to the aforementioned logbook, the car comes with a V5C registration certificate, sundry bills, some Facel Club newsletters, and various operating instructions.
  An exciting combination of elegant European style and American V8 power, this beautiful Facel II is a worthy successor to the legendary French Grandes Routières of pre-war days.

SOURCE: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25454/lot/219/

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Disclaimer:  Whilst Classic Chatter ("we") attempt to make sure that the information contained in this website is accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of that information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from misleading information or for any reliance on which you may place on the information contained in this website. We highly recommend that you check the accuracy of the information supplied. If you have any queries with regard to any information on our website, please contact us at  jeff.classicchatter@mail.com

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1959 FACEL VEGA HK500 - COYS AUCTIONS TRUE GREATS SALE Royal Horticultural Hall Vincent Square, London SW1P2PE Tuesday 4th November 2018

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COYS AUCTIONS

TRUE GREATS SALE

Royal Horticultural Hall

Vincent Square, London SW1P2PE

Tuesday 4th November 2018

1959 FACEL VEGA HK500

The advertising slogan for the Facel Vega HK500 put it in a nutshell: “For the Few, Who Own the Finest”. The few included Pablo Picasso, Ringo Starr, Tony Curtis, Ava Gardner, Joan Fontaine and Maurice Trintignant. Stirling Moss spurned air travel in favour of driving his HK500 from race to race. Costing more than a Mercedes Gullwing and three times as rare, the HK500 exuded opulent exclusivity from every stunningly handsome pore.

The brainchild of French industrialist and designer Jean Daninos, the Facel Vega marque was born in 1954 in a bid to keep Paris on the map as a centre of automotive excellence at a time when great French marques like Delahaye, Delage, Talbot Lago and Panhard were being driven to the wall by punitive government taxes on high-performance vehicles.

Aimed squarely at the export market and launched in 1958, the HK500 was the most powerful Facel yet, initially fitted with a 5.9-litre Chrysler V8 that was soon supplanted by an even bigger 6.3-litre unit that pumped out a colossal 360bhp and 425 lbs-ft of torque.

Tested by Motor magazine, the car topped out at 145mph, hit 60mph in 8.4 seconds and ran the quarter mile in 16.3 seconds.

Styled by Daninos, engineered by Jacques Brasseur and with a chassis developed by Lance Macklin of HWM racing fame, the HK500 went as well as it looked with a fit and finish that was second to none. Rust-resistant stainless steel was used for brightwork, while a lavish passenger cabin was trimmed in the finest leathers with a fabulous aircraft-like dashboard that looked like wood but was in fact painted stainless steel. Only 490 examples were made before production was phased out in 1961 to make way for the Facel II.

This example of the Facel Vega HK500 recently uncovered and fresh to the market from long-term single family ownership, is finished in maroon with brown interior. The car is a unique barn find having been out of circulation for many years having been purchased by the current vendor's father before being subject to long-term storage. This example of the stunning French Grand Routier certainly a prospect any serious collector looking for a worth-while project

SOURCE: http://www.coys.co.uk/cars/1959-facel-vega-hk-500-2

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IDRIS THE SQUIRREL

I'M NUTS ABOUT CLASSICS

Disclaimer:  Whilst Classic Chatter ("we") attempt to make sure that the information contained in this website is accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of that information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from misleading information or for any reliance on which you may place on the information contained in this website. We highly recommend that you check the accuracy of the information supplied. If you have any queries with regard to any information on our website, please contact us at  jeff.classicchatter@mail.com

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1960 FACEL VEGA HK500 -,SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW SALE NEC, Birmingham 10th - 11th November 2018

UPCOMING EVENT

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FEATURED AUCTION

SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS

CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW SALE

NEC, Birmingham

10th - 11th November 2018

1960 FACEL VEGA HK500

Registration: OUI 1175

Chassis Number: HKBD1

Engine Number: TY731581

Number of cylinders: 8

CC: 6229

Year of Manufacture: 1960

RHD/LHD: Right Hand Drive

Estimate (£): 130,000 - 150,000

(+buyer's premium of 15% including VAT @ 20%)

• The legendary Facel Vega HK500. An outstanding combination of alluring styling and a roaring Chrysler V-8
• Very rare, right-hand drive, manual, 35,000 miles and now fitted with power steering
• Tubular frame with independent front suspension, live rear axle and over 390bhp from the 6.2-litre V8
• Owned by our private vendor since 2009 forming part of his eclectic collection
• Three previous owners and a full mechanical rebuild by Facel specialists, Hans Ruhe in the Netherlands
• To quote from the 1957 brochure "For the Few Who Own the Finest"

Founded by Jean Daninos in 1939, Forges et Ateliers de Construction d'Eure-et-Loir (FACEL) originally specialised in the production of aircraft materials before the outbreak of war in 1939. After World War II, Facel distributed car bodies to Panhard, Simca and Ford France. It would not be until 1954 that Facel began to manufacture its own vehicle, the Facel Vega FV, which was unveiled at the Paris Salon in 1954. Crippling legislation immediately after the war made it virtually impossible for luxurious cars to be manufactured in France, but despite this, Jean Daninos was passionate about reigniting the romance of lavishly glamorous French motoring.

With no post-war European power unit available that would suitably complement the magnificent luxurious interior and exterior of his new creation, Daninos turned to the 276 cubic inches (4.5-litre) De Soto Firedome V-8. This was a dependable engine, with a 7.5:1 compression ratio and pushrod-operated overhead valves, pushing out 170 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and capable of propelling this imposing piece of French architecture to a top speed of 130mph. Despite the staggering $7,000 asking price at launch, buyers were still flocking to take ownership of Daninos beautiful creation.

Later developments saw the introduction, in 1956, of the Facel Vega FVS, further evolving into the all-new HK500 in 1959. The chosen engine to power the next chapter in Facel history was the most famous of them all, the 383 cubic inch V-8, which produced a thundering 360bhp and a claimed top speed of 147mph. Through this outstanding combination of alluring styling and significant power, the Facel Vega HK500 legend was born.

The media were hugely excited with Facel's latest sports coupé. A 'Mechanix Illustrated' magazine tester, Tom McCahill, said the HK500 was, "Sexier than the Place Pigalle and throatier than a Russian basso; A sporting piece of equipment that looks like money, which is exactly what it costs ($9,795 new). A car to be appreciated as a remarkable and wonderfully satisfying road companion". Adored for its charm and style, the Facel Vega HK500 captivated the hearts of the masses, with numerous celebrities such as Dean Martin and Ava Gardner taking ownership of this pinnacle of French elegance. Drawn by Jean Daninos himself, the Facel Vega seamlessly incorporates American styling with French glamour.

Mechanically, the HK500 was very similar to its predecessors. The chassis was designed by Lance Macklin, a tubular frame featuring independent front suspension coils and wishbones; whilst at the rear, a live axle is held in place by longitudinal semi-elliptic springs. With over 390bhp available from the roaring Chrysler V-8, the HK500 was one of the fastest cars of its day.

This HK500 is a very special car indeed. ‘#HKBD1’ is an early right-hand drive fitted with the desirable manual gearbox and is finished in White with a red leather interior. The odometer is showing just over 35,000 miles, which looking at the previous MoTs in the accompanying history file could well be accurate. Our vendor has owned this car since 2009, forming part of his significant private collection, and only three owners have had the chance to enjoy this magnificent Voiture before him. Prior to our vendor's ownership, marque specialist Hans Ruhe (Amicale Facel Holland) oversaw a mechanical rebuild of the car and there are invoices in the accompanying history file detailing this. More recently, our vendor has entrusted GTC Engineering in Silverstone to look after the Facel's various needs and the decision was taken under his ownership to fit power steering to enhance the driving experience. It doesn’t look like the car has ever been fully restored as such, just lovingly cared for over the years. 

Our vendor has thoroughly enjoyed his time with ‘HKBD1’, especially attending events such as the 2010 Goodwood Revival in which this he took the Facel to be showcased as part of the ‘Great Touring Greats' category, but the time has now come for someone else to enjoy this sensational automobile. A previous sales sheet in the accompanying history file states that the 6.2 V8 four-barrel carburettor Chrysler 'Wedge' engine in this model produced 390bhp at 5,000 rpm and a top speed of 147mph. No wonder this was one of the fastest cars of its period! 

To conclude, Silverstone Auctions are proud to offer this fabulous example, fresh to the market from long-term ownership, and which certainly ticks all the boxes for any serious collector and any interested parties should contact the office directly for a pre-sale inspection, which we highly recommend. 

SOURCE: http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1960-face-vega-hk500

SELECTED BY:

IDRIS THE SQUIRREL

I'M NUTS ABOUT CLASSICS

Disclaimer:  Whilst Classic Chatter ("we") attempt to make sure that the information contained in this website is accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of that information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from misleading information or for any reliance on which you may place on the information contained in this website. We highly recommend that you check the accuracy of the information supplied. If you have any queries with regard to any information on our website, please contact us at  jeff.classicchatter@mail.com

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