Facel Vega was a French luxury car manufacturer that operated from 1954 to 1964. It was founded by Jean Daninos, who initially worked with Citroën before establishing Facel as a company producing machine tools for the aircraft industry. After World War II, Facel transitioned into making custom-bodied cars for brands like Simca, Ford, and Panhard.
Facel Vega became known for its high-end grand tourers, often powered by Chrysler V8 engines, and attracted elite clientele, including Ava Gardner, Ringo Starr, Pablo Picasso, and Frank Sinatra. The company’s first model, the FV, debuted in 1954, followed by the Facellia in 1959, which suffered from reliability issues. These problems, combined with financial difficulties, led to Facel Vega’s closure in October 1964.
Despite its short lifespan, Facel Vega left a lasting legacy as one of France’s most exclusive luxury car brands.
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Facel Vega Facel II Sports Coupe (1962-64)
The Facel Vega Facel II Sports Coupe, introduced in **1962**, was designed as a **luxurious, high-performance grand tourer**, blending **French elegance** with **American muscle**. It was intended to be the **fastest four-seater coupe in the world**, featuring a **Chrysler V8 engine** capable of **150 mph**, outpacing rivals like the **Aston Martin DB4 and Ferrari 250 GT**.
Facel Vega expected the Facel II to appeal to **wealthy professionals, celebrities, and aristocrats**, offering **prestige, craftsmanship, and effortless speed**. Its **aircraft-inspired dashboard, leather interior, and advanced features** reinforced its image as a **status symbol**.
Despite its **refined engineering and exclusivity**, Facel Vega faced financial struggles, making the Facel II its **final grand tourer** before the company closed in **1964**. Today, it remains a **rare and desirable classic**, reflecting the era’s fascination with **fast, elegant grand tourers**.
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Popularity
The **Facel Vega II Sports Coupé (1962–1964)** wasn’t globally popular in the mass-market sense, but it achieved **cult status among the elite and automotive connoisseurs** of its time—and remains one of the most coveted grand tourers of the 1960s.
🌍 Global Reach, Boutique Scale
- **Production was extremely limited**: only around **180–184 units** were built, making it rarer than many Ferraris of the era.
- It was **hand-built in France** and priced in **Rolls-Royce territory**, which limited its accessibility but enhanced its exclusivity.
- Despite its niche volume, it attracted **international celebrity owners** such as **Ringo Starr**, **Ava Gardner**, **Tony Curtis**, and even the **Shah of Iran**.
- The car was exported to **the U.S., U.K., Germany, and the Middle East**, with right-hand-drive versions built specifically for the British market.
✨ Reputation & Legacy
- Marketed as *“Le Coupé 4-places le plus rapide du Monde”* (“The fastest 4-seater coupé in the world”), it could out-accelerate many two-seat GTs of the day, including the Aston Martin DB4 and Mercedes 300SL.
- It blended **American muscle (Chrysler V8)** with **French elegance and British luxury**, creating a unique transatlantic appeal.
- Today, it’s considered one of the **most beautiful and desirable post-war French cars**, with auction prices exceeding **£300,000** for well-preserved examples.
So while it wasn’t “popular” in the conventional sense, the Facel II was **globally admired by the few who could afford it**—and is now globally revered by collectors.
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RESTORATION SERVICES
There are a few highly regarded restoration specialists in the UK and Europe with experience in Facel Vega Facel II restorations. While the marque is rare, a handful of workshops have developed deep expertise in these Franco-American GTs:
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🇬🇧 **Prestige Restoration (UK)**
- **Location:** West Sussex, England
- **Specialty:** Full restorations of rare European GTs, including the *ex-Earls Court Motor Show* Facel II
- **Website:** [prestige-restoration.co.uk](https://www.prestige-restoration.co.uk/facel-vega)
- **Services:** Bodywork, mechanical rebuilds, concours-level detailing
- **Contact:** Via website contact form or phone (listed on site)
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🇳🇱 **Amicale Facel Holland (AFH)**
- **Location:** Netherlands (but serves UK/Ireland clients)
- **Specialty:** World leader in **Facel Vega restoration and parts supply**
- **Website:** [classicargarage.com – AFH Projects](https://www.classicargarage.com/garages/afh/projects)
- **Workshop Size:** 2,000m² dedicated to Facel Vega models
- **Contact:** Through [facelvega.shop](https://www.facelvega.shop/en/) or direct inquiry via Classicargarage
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🇳🇱 **JB Classic Cars**
- **Location:** Netherlands
- **Specialty:** Restoration of rare European classics including Facel Vega, Jensen, and Lamborghini
- **Website:** [jbclassiccars.com](https://jbclassiccars.com/)
- **Contact:** Email or phone via website
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While AFH and JB Classic Cars are based in the Netherlands, they frequently work with UK and Irish clients and offer **transport logistics** for full restorations. Prestige Restoration is your best bet for a UK-based project, especially if you're aiming for concours-level authenticity.
Would you like help comparing their past Facel II projects or getting in touch with one of them directly? I can also help you prep a restoration brief or checklist if you're planning to start a project. Let’s make it a good one.