Facel Vega Facel II

File:Facel Vega Facel II rear.jpg

The Facel II was introduced at the 1961 Paris Motor Show, and was powered by a Chrysler 6.3 litre (383 cu.in.) 'Typhoon' engine which produced {{cvt|355|hp|kW|order=flip}} if equipped with a TorqueFlite automatic-gearbox, or {{cvt|390|hp|kW|-1|order=flip}} with a manual transmission.{{cite book|last=Willson|first=Quentin|title=The Ultimate Classic Car Book|year=1995|publisher=DK Publishing, Inc.|isbn=0-7894-0159-2|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/ultimateclassicc00quen}} Using Chrysler's three-speed automatic gearbox, the 6.3-litre Facel II could reach a top speed of over {{cvt|135|mph|km/h|order=flip}}. With a French Pont-a-Mousson four-speed manual gearbox the full-four-seater 6.3 litre Facel II could reach over {{cvt|150|mph|km/h|order=flip}}Sports Car Graphic's Road Test [7-62] of the smaller-engined 6.3 litre by Bernard Cahier recorded a top speed of {{cvt|149|mph|km/h|0|order=flip}} averaged over a two-way run and acceleration to {{cvt|100|mph|order=flip}} in 17.0 seconds and out-accelerate two-seat GTs such as the Aston Martin DB4, Ferrari 250 GT and 'gull-wing' Mercedes-Benz 300SL, to {{cvt|60|mi/h|order=flip}} and all except the Ferrari to {{cvt|100|mph|order=flip}}.'Facel Vega' by Jean Daninos: Editions E.P.A Paris 1981, p. 130 Dunlop disc brakes were fitted on all four wheels and Hydrosteer power steering, leather seats, electric windows and radio aerial all became standard during the production run, with Armstrong Selecta-Ride shock-absorbers adjustable from the dash while driving fitted to the right-hand-drive British models. The curvaceous wrap-round dash was in fact metal but meticulously painted to look like wood. Many of the controls were airplane inspired. The later models were fitted with the even more powerful 6.7 litre (413 cu.in.) Chrysler RB "wedge" engine and were faster still.Including the one belonging to Ringo Starr: Autocar 6 June 1981 p 36.

Like its predecessor, the Facel Vega HK500, the Facel II was a heavy vehicle, weighing {{convert|1880|kg|0|abbr=on}} (37 cwt) 'dry' and well over two tons with four passengers and a full petrol tank. There may have been some question about its ride and rear suspensionSee 'Autocar' & 'Motor' road tests as below. But Bernard Cahier, the racing driver who tested the Facel II for Sports Car Graphic, wrote [Test no 7-62], "When driving really fast, our Facel seemed particularly at home on the fast-bend-and-esses type of curves on which the car was rock steady with practically no lean or rolling. In this respect the Facel II is about the finest automobile that I can think of for sheer stability". – it used suspension virtually unchanged from the previous HK500 – but certainly none about its speedThe English-language Owner's Manual advised (p.9): "Hold the steering wheel with both hands except when changing gear – Stay as close as possible to the centre of the road – Do not look at anything else but the road – Do not smoke – Do not change stations on the radio – Do not talk". or glamour.

File:Facel Vega Facel II 1962-64 (15650079199).jpg

England's Autocar said of it:

To step down into a Facel II and go motoring must be the ambition of many who can never fulfil it. Such an experience is reserved for the few who can afford to buy one and for their friends and acquaintances.Autocar Road Test 3 August 1962 p175

Said Motor:

There are faster sports cars, although very few, and there are more refined and luxurious saloons, but it is difficult to think of a more remarkable combination of these rather conflicting qualities. ... its unique combination of qualities left the most vivid impression on everyone who drove it. In particular one remembers the smoothness and silence, the effortless gait of a car which does {{convert|100|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} at only 3,650 rpm. and the acceleration which leaves other fast cars far behind on every straight. One can enjoy the latest refinements of American brute force with European standards of control in an environment of British luxury and French elegance.Motor road test 36/62 p 81

In August 1961 Jean Daninos was obliged to offer his resignationAutomobilia: Toutes les voitures françaises 1962 (salon Paris oct 1961) (Paris: Histoire & collections) Nr. 19: Page 15. 1200 and in 1964 the Facel company went into receivership, largely due to warranty claims against Facel Vega's smaller Facellia with its troublesome 'in-house' engine. As a result, Facel II production had to be discontinued with only 180'Facel Vega' by Jean Daninos: Editions E.P.A Paris 1981 p.132 but other sources suggest, possibly more accurately, that 182-184 Facel IIs were completed Facel IIs built.

Regarded by some today as one of the more handsome automobiles ever made,In 2008 the Facel II was voted by The British Daily Telegraph readers as one of the "Most Beautiful Cars of All Time" [13 March 2008] the remaining Facel IIs are now amongst the most sought-after of all 1960s Grand Tourers. On 1 December 2013 Bonhams in London auctioned the partially restored ex-Ringo Starr right-hand-drive Facel II for £337,500 [= approx €407,000/$552,500 at the time].In August 2009, and, during the biggest recession since World War II, Goodings & Company auctioned a 1962 Facel II [lot 50] for $203,500 [= approx. 142,218€/£124,092]. In October 2011 Artcurial of Paris auctioned a somewhat modified 1963 Facel II [lot 136] for 204,445€ [= approx $280,000/£176,000]. In November 2011, Godin Banks Ltd of Mereworth in Kent, UK, were asking £225,000 [= approx 260,000€/$360,00] for one of the 23 remaining RHD Facel IIs On 6 February 2014 Bonhams in Paris auctioned a rusty and derelict 'barn-find' left-hand-drive Facel II in need of a total-rebuild restoration for €155,250 [= approx £129,000/$211,000 at the time]. On 27 June 2014 Bonhams in London auctioned a right-hand-drive 2-owner 'garage-find' non-runner in need of total-rebuild restoration for £122,460 [= approx €154,000/$210,000 at the time]. On 9 September 2017 Bonhams in London auctioned a restored right-hand drive Facel II for £315,100 [= approx €359,000/$428,000 at the time].

{{commons category|Facel Vega Facel II}}

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{{Facel timeline 1954-1964}}

Category:Grand tourers

Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles

Facel II

Category:Cars introduced in 1962