Miguel Sánchez
PHOTOS FACEL VEGA FACEL II: GTC
Popular wisdom is full of clichés. Popular sayings in which the collective experience of a people is condensed. In this sense, within the wide range of sentences treasured by the Castilian there are two that could well be applied to the history of Facel Vega. The first is "Jack of all trades, master of none". And the second is "Oh Manolete, if you don't know how to fight, why do you get involved?". And beware, by this we do not mean at all that this French brand produced uninteresting cars. Not at all, actually from this Facel Vega Facel II we can only get praise.
However, the truth is that at the accounting level the history of the last French luxury car brand was a total nonsense. Even the appearance of such attractive cars as the Facel II could save this brand from ruin that, when he started making his own models in the mid-fifties, he dug his grave. And be careful, because the beginnings of Facel Vega were really lucrative. Dedicated to the construction of aircraft bodies and fuselages since 1939, the signing of a contract with SIMCA for the manufacture of some 45.000 monohulls placed Facel at a crossroads.
Because yes, although from an accounting point of view this raised it to its best moment ... The truth is that that same good news encouraged President Jean Daninos to launch into his secret quest: to manufacture automobiles. Something that he had been brooding over since he collaborated in the design of the Citroën Traction Avant in the 30s. However, Facel did not seem entirely prepared for this jump. So things, in 1954 this brand was born with the ambition to become in the Rolls-Royce French. A utopian goal that, despite everything, left us cars as suggestive as this Facel Vega Facel II from 1963.
FACEL VEGA FACEL II. A SONG OF SWAN
Returning to the aforementioned sayings, the truth is that they illustrate what happened to the story of Facel Vega. And is that It is not the same to make bodies and other components than to get into the complete design of a car. The latter requires not only high knowledge in engineering, but also in marketing, knowing how to read a market that may or may not buy your products to the joy or depression of the accounting department. An area that, whatever we get, is the most important within any automobile company. Even in spite of engineers eager for new horizons.
In a show of sparing no expense, Facel Vega's men tried to combine luxury and revenge in cars like the FVS, the Excellence or this same Facel Vega Facel II. However, while imposing, they were not really up to the task. In addition, the mechanics were not their own, since the V8 engines were bought from Chrysler (and when they made their own they failed). This being the case, the costs outweighed the benefits, so in 1959 they had to launch into a more accessible market niche with the Facellia. Built entirely in France, its mechanics were so unreliable in its first series that this model is considered guilty of the final bankruptcy of Facel Vega.
A real shame, since by 1962 things seemed to be on track properly after learning from mistakes. And it is that, just that year, the Parisian house presented the Facel Vega Facel II. With a more polished design and a well-tuned Chrysler mechanics, this comfortable GT tried to look from you to you with the high-performance cars of the moment. But nevertheless, it was too late to react. Overwhelmed after years of losses, Facel Vega closed its doors two years later with Facel Vega II playing the role of a swan song.
FRENCH DESIGN, AMERICAN MECHANICS
Sold as "The fastest four-seater coupe in the world", the Facel Vega Facel II from 1962 is a delight capable of performing 355CV with automatic transmission and up to 390 with manual transmission. Quite a waste of power offered by its powerful 8'6 / 3-liter V6 bought from Chrysler.
Engines capable of running up to 5500 rpm offering blazing accelerations comparable to those of some two-seater sports GTs such as the Aston Martin DB5 or the Ferrari 250 GT. In short, not inconsiderable benefits. Even more so if we take into account that the Facel Vega II looked more like a comfortable and stately luxury coupe than a rabid sports car for endurance racing.
A character seen in the comfortable Hydrosteer power steering. A British mechanism that adapted this American invention already used in French models since the Citroën DS incorporated it to the entire range in the mid-50s. In addition, the Facel Vega Facel II stopped thanks to the incorporation of Dunlop disc brakes in the four wheels.
Something very important since his main problem was the weight: 1800 kilos. About 500 more than a sports GT of the moment. But of course, the Facel II had four real seats and really impressive qualities and design of luxury. Qualities that were reflected in its price, approximately three times that of a Jaguar E-Type. Very expensive.
Perhaps that is why his portfolio of conductors is worthy of a gallery of personalities, having among his buyers celebrities like Frank Sinatra. Heads of state like the Shah of Persia or pilots like Stirling Moss. A very small group of owners, among other things because the Facel Vega Facel II It was only in production for two years with a circulation of approximately 180 units.
That is why today it is a rarity to see one for sale. What this Facel II that was used by the brand during the 1963 Geneva Motor Show. An incredible swan song for the latest French luxury car brand.
