1961 Facel Vega, Facellia Cabriolet

£SOLD

In 1960, Facel entered the sports car market with the Facellia, a small car similar in size to the then popular Mercedes 190SL,  Facellia’s were advertised in three body styles: cabriolet, 2+2 coupé and 4-seat coupé, all with the same mechanical parts and a 2,450 mm (96.5 in) wheelbase. Styling was similar to the Facel HK500, but with rather elegant flush door handles. Following Facel Vega's demise several of M Daninos's styling cues were "borrowed" by Mercedes-Benz, Prices were roughly USD 4,000 for the Facellia, USD 5,500 for the Facel III and USD 6,000 for the Facel 6.
With the idea of creating a mass-produced all-French sports car competing with the Alfa Romeo’s, Facel moved away from American engines. The Facellia had manufactured their own  4-cylinder 1.65 Ltr DOHC engine built in France by Paul Cavallier of the Pont-à-Mousson company (which already provided manual gear boxes for the company's larger models) and utilised twin Weber 40 DCOE carbs.

Our car we have for sale is the Cabriolet version and is now super rare, It started life on 22nd March 1961, it still retains the original Factory twin cam engine and has the desirable 4 speed Pont-a-Mousson gearbox, it has its original and very rare Factory Hard Top included in the sale, with superb Old English white livery and original Red St James leather interior, original Nardi wood rimmed steering wheel, the engine bay is nicely detailed, it has the Factory steel wheels shod with Michelin 175/80/14 tyres and a black soft top, all of the vehicles stainless steel is in superb condition, she drives very well indeed, she is rock solid and has good History file, one long term previous owner, Nigel Cooper “Mr Facel Vega” of the 80’s and 90’s remembers the car fondly.

Our car has covered some 31,377 Miles believed genuine, with little use in the last few years being in a large cherished classic car collection, she is now ready for a new custodian and touring on some fine British and European roads.