Francis Staub Collection

1958 – Facel Vega FV3B

French registration papers
Chassis no. FV3B 58 302

- One of 91 built
- Clear history
- In same ownership for 26 years

Founded by Jean Daninos in 1939, the company Forges et Ateliers de Construction d'Eure-et-Loir (FACEL) specialised in manufacturing aviation components and metal furniture. After the war, it built car bodies for Panhard, Simca and Ford France, before starting to produce its own models with the Vega, which was presented at the Paris Motor Show in 1954. Government policy had put paid to the few luxury makes which survived after the Second World War, but this did not prevent Jean Daninos from attempting to rekindle the flame of Grand Touring cars, which had once been a great French tradition. A luxurious grand tourer, the Vega took its name from the brightest star in the Lyra constellation and was fitted with a very elegant body welded onto a tubular chassis. As he did not have a sufficiently powerful French engine on hand, Daninos turned to the United States for the Vega, originally opting for the 4.5-litre Chrysler V8 developing 180 bhp, which could be mated to a manual gearbox or to automatic transmission with pushbutton control. The model was soon developed further and at the end of 1957 became the FV3B, producing 200 bhp.
This FV3B was delivered new to Laureyns, the Facel agent in Lille, then sold to the company Motte & J. Porisse in Paris on 14 February 1958, finished in metallic grey (to the body and roof), with an interior in black leather and black carpets. Fitted with the optional power steering, automatic transmission, Rudge wheels and an extended steering column, it remained in the Paris area until 1985 and specifically in the capital itself, where it was registered 4696 GS 75. The following year, it moved to Lyon and was registered 8692 PH 69, staying there until 2012 and spending 26 years in the same ownership.
Stunningly beautiful, chassis no. 58 302 is as tuneful as ever, thanks to its 5-litre engine, and still impresses with its taut styling and lighter frontal treatment than its predecessor, the FV2. It should be noted that, beginning with this model, all the FV3B and FV4s had wide bodies; their sales were fairly evenly split between France and export markets, the latter exceeding 55% in 1957. Presented at an attractive estimated price, this rare FV3B is equipped with the Chrysler Torqueflite automatic transmission, in common with 51% of the cars built. Offered for sale at auction for the first time, it will let you make a grand entrance into the world of Facel cars. The car is complete and in running order, and its future owner will be able to embark without apprehension on a restoration to return it to its former glory.

AGUTTES on WHEELS

Gautier Rossignol
M: +33616914228
@: [email protected]