Lot 224: Facel Vega HK500 Coupe

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, of course, necessarily very expensive – the Facel II was priced in Rolls-Royce territory – and were 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 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. From being chiefly engaged in the supply of car bodies to Panhard, Simca and Ford France, Facel branched out into automobile manufacture in its own right in 1954 with the launch of the Vega at the 1954 Paris Salon. A luxurious Grand Routier, the Vega took its name from the brightest star in the Lyra constellation and featured supremely elegant coupé bodywork welded to a tubular-steel chassis. There being no suitable French-built power unit, Facel turned to the USA for the Vega’s, that chosen initially being Chrysler’s 4.5-litre, 180bhp V8, while there was a choice of push-button automatic or manual transmission. An improved model, the HK500, appeared in 1957. Maximum power was now around 360bhp courtesy of the latest, 5.9-litre version of Chrysler's 'hemi' V8 and top speed rose to around 140mph. Power steering became an option and Dunlop disc brakes were adopted as standard equipment in 1960. Capable of effortless and virtually silent 120mph cruising, the HK500 possessed, according to The Motor magazine, ‘a brilliant combination of good comfort and quite exceptional roadholding.’ HK 500 production amounted to just 500-or-so units between 1958 and 1961 and today this rare Franco-American Grand Routier is highly sought after. This HK500 was completely renovated by the famous French restorer Ets. Lecoq at Saint-Ouen circa 2000, the mechanical aspects of the rebuild being entrusted to Tisserand in Paris. The car is presented in superb condition - running well - with ‘as new’ interior and immaculate brightwork. It is offered with French Carte Grise but, sadly, the file of restoration invoices has been lost. Cette HK 500 a été restaurée vers l'année 2000 par la célèbre carrosserie Lecoq, à Saint-Ouen, alors que les aspects mécaniques de la remise en état étaient confiés aux ateliers Tisserand, à Paris. Riche d'un intérieur comme neuf et d'enjoliveurs immaculés, la voiture est en superbe état de présentation et fonctionne bien. Elle est accompagnée de sa carte grise française mais, malheureusement, le dossier de factures de restauration a été égaré.