Facel Véga HK 500, 1958

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The engineer Jean Daninos who worked with Citroën on the « Traction Avant » and in aviation had made his dream come true in 1954 when he built a magnificient Grand Touring car. He gave birth to a new prestigious name in French automotive industry at a time when such great names as Bugatti, Delage and Hotchkiss had disappeared.

Facel Véga II, the Successor of the HK 500, 1961

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The same year, his brother Pierre Daninos created the character of the British Major W. Marmaduke Thompson who « giving up tiger hunting, decided to explore the French jungle and note his observations in his booklets ». The famous « Carnets du Major Thompson » were a best-seller and translated in 28 countries.

Facel Véga FV I, 1955

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The Facel Véga HK 500 (meaning the car has a rare weight/power ratio of 5 horse per kilogram) was unveiled in 1958 and 482 units were produced until 1962. This exclusive Grand Tourer was presented with a Chrysler 5.9 litre V8 engine in 1958. The HK 500 then receives the 6.3 litre Chrysler « Typhoon » V8 engine in 1959, that is 355 hp (265 kW) for the automatic gearbox version and 390 hp (291 kW) for the manual one. It reaches 135 mph (225 km/h) and with a Pont-à-Mousson manual box : 150 mph (247 km/h). Although its weight is 1880 kg (4,100 lb) the Facel Véga HK 500 only needs 9 seconds to reach 100 km/h. This both elegant and very powerful car enjoys an exceptional equipment and finish: disc brakes on all 4 wheels, power steering, luxurious leather seats, radio, tinted glass windows, the never-imitated painted dashboard with its walnut décor, aircraft-like instruments, and assorted suitcases. It required to be a skilled and careful driver.

Facellia and its Specific Rear, 1959

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Jean Daninos created extraordinary cars whose line, luxury and high quality remained unequalled. They were sold to the wealthiest and are today most sought-after. Many showbusiness stars owned a Facel Véga like Tony Curtis, Ava Gardner, Ringo Starr. The firm Facel (Forges et Ateliers de Constructions d’Eure-et-Loire) was created by Jean Daninos in 1954 and built 3000 desirable cars in 10 years. Facel also supplied Simca with bodies for their coupés and convertibles.

Facel III, 1963

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