Facel Vega FV4 Typhoon 1957 - 60,000 KM

• Competition status
• Full catering
• Production limited to 36 copies
• Full history

Our Facel Vega FV4 Typhoon, with chassis number FV4-57-235, is in competition condition. Assembled on July 27, 1957 and delivered new in New York to Max Hoffmann, it was acquired by the owner of a restoration workshop in 2004. It was then imported into Europe in 2011 and purchased at auction in 2012. Its current owner, French, purchased it in 2016.

This copy is one of 36 examples of Facel Vega FV4 produced between 1957 and 1958. Being extremely rare, our copy is even more distinguished by its competitive condition. In a plum exterior color, combined with a beige leather interior and numerous chromes both inside and out, this Facel Vega FV4 is simply perfect.

Its mechanical functioning is irreproachable. Its 5.8 L Hemi Chrysler TY5 “Typhoon” V8 engine developing 340 hp, combined with the Chrysler 3-speed automatic transmission, offers sensations that are as amazing as ever. We have a significant history, with a complete report on its restoration carried out from 2004 to 2008 and its reliability dating from 2012. All the elements were reviewed during this work. This copy also has rare factory options such as steering and brake assistance, tinted electric windows, and Robergel spoked rims.

It should also be noted that this example won the first prize in its category three times: in September 2010 at the Palos Verdes Concours, in February 2011 at the Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance in La Quinta in California, and in May 2011 at the Greystone Mansion Concours d'Elegance in Beverly Hills. Trophies are included with the sale.

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Facel was legally founded on December 20, 1939. So a simple subcontracting company associated with the Bronzavia company, it was responsible for responding to arms orders from the Ministry of War. Facel is actually an acronym, meaning “Forges et Ateliers de Construction d'Eure-et-Loir”. Facel's first factory is located in Dreux. The company then produced sets of stamped and welded parts in stainless steel and light alloy, in collaboration with the Swedish company Métallon.

After the events of 1940, the Dreux factory was requisitioned, forcing Facel to retreat to the suburbs of Paris, in Colombes. Forced to collaborate, Henri Feuillée, boss of Bronzavia, commissioned his technical director Jean Daninos to continue the war effort in Great Britain and the United States. In particular, it will import patents into the United States.

At the end of the Second World War, the reorganization of French industry caused the loss of the post of director of Henri Feuillée. He will therefore return to Facel, in which Jean Daninos is appointed Chairman and CEO. Métallon is integrated into Facel. The company then oriented its activity towards the subcontracting of car body parts. First with Panhard, then Simca, Ford and Bentley, Jean Daninos secretly maintained his desire to produce his own cars. In 1952, he made the decision to produce a grand touring car. His choice of engine fell on Chrysler V8s, while Jean Daninos' brother chose the name Véga for his first model. With 180 horsepower, the Vega, elegant and luxurious 2+1 seater coupe, was modified to have 2 rear seats before being marketed in 1955.

A second car was then presented in September 1955, of the FV2 type, with a panoramic windshield and a burl walnut dashboard. It is presented under the brand name Facel Véga. The models follow one another with a constant improvement in the power of the Chrysler engine in particular, going from 200 horsepower to 340 horsepower in the FV4. Designed between 1957 and 1958, the FV4 was specially designed for the North American market. It therefore has the most powerful engine in the range, with no less than 340 horsepower, and only 36 units are produced. Its imposing radiator grill, its chrome bumpers, its polished aluminum sills and its entirely handmade aluminum body are real treasures of French craftsmanship. The interior does not refuse any luxury with a profusion of leather, wood, chrome, while allowing 4 passengers to fly at 225 km/h in breathtaking silence and comfort. The Facel Vega Typhoon FV4 was then a competitor to the Rolls Royce and Bentley of the time, French luxury.

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