Based on its baroque style, one could easily mistake it today Nice price or no dice Facel Vega for a contemporary Cadillac. tHowever, this is unmistakably its party that fooled the doors without pillars. Let’s see if the price of this dazzling cruiser is worth it.
In today’s market, any car or truck that looks clean and well-built with a price tag of $3,995 will be lauded. yesterday 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML 320 well presented and executed that elusive asking for less than 4 thousand dollars. The vast majority of you find that combination a worthwhile exchange, giving the classic Benz an 80% guaranteed win at Good Price.
As luxurious as any Mercedes, very few of them will get you the look today 1958 Facel Vega Excellent there will be you when rolling into Arby’s or to your correctional class reunion.
Hemmings’ ads for cars detail the history of both make and model, so I won’t repeat it here. Suffice it to say that FACEL (Forges et Ateliers de Construction dEure-et-Loir) like the French Aston Martin, making its founder, Jean Danino, Gallic David Brown.
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The Excellence was the company’s only four-door model and was built on a modified HK500 chassis with producction running between 1958 and 1964. Production ended with parent Facel’s demise that same year. Only 152 cars, over three models, were built during the run. That makes this Excellence a rare opportunity for anyone with a good bit of change jingling in the couch cushions.
The styling of the Excellence is audacious, carrying many of the design tropes—dog-leg A-pillar, substantial tail fins, and a ton of chrome—that were legion among its American contemporaries. The overall style, however, is distinctly Continental (meaning European, not Lincoln) and actually rather muted in certain of its details like the handsome nose and those knock-off style steel wheels. Apparently, this car was returned to the factory for a few updates over the years, including the switch to a later Wedge 331 engine and the addition of front disc brakes from the HK500.
The whole thing is painted in a subtle Isetta White to which a black roof has been added for an extra bit of elegance. Aside from some worn weatherstripping, it looks like it needs nothing.
The Excellence’s most notable feature is its pillar-less door opening. Now, lots of American manufacturers offered pillar-less sedans at the time, but all of those still demanded a half-height pillar where the doors meet, thus making the name a lie. In the Excellence’s case, the door catch is at the rocker and when both the standard front and suicide rear doors are opened, there’s nothing but a huge space for egress. It’s quite amazing.
Also amazing is the car’s drivetrain. That starts with the aforementioned 361 cubic inch (5.4-liter) “Wedge” V8 sourced from Chrysler. As a first series model, the car originally came with a 6.4-liter Hemi. The Mopar mill makes 360 gross horsepower and is backed up by the standard Pont-à-Mousson four-speed manual. Yep, this two-ton beast rocks a stick.
That transmission is shifted via a short tunnel-mounted lever that is canted towards the driver. That sits center in a cabin awash in black Vaumol leather upholstery that extends to the doors and dash surround. The black leather is paired with some elegant burlwood across the dash. Showing just how low this car really is, the steering column sprouts from the center of that dashboard, not from beneath. A full set of Jaeger gauges accompany it, as does a period-correct stereo. Everything in the cabin looks to be in terrific shape with only minor flaws observable in the welting and leather substrate.
According to the ad, the car underwent a restoration starting in 2007 but retains its factory-retrofitted engine and transmission after the fact. It wears age-appropriate Michelin X tires and Marchel Equilux headlights and, as you might expect, carries a clean title. The picture of the Speedo shows 61,148 miles on the odometer, but on a car like this, does mileage even matter?
If you click through from the Hemmings ad to the seller’s Website, you will find that the dealer is based in St. Louis, Missouri has some incredible models on offer. Surprisingly, Facel Vega isn’t even the most elegant of them all.
However, it is amazing and a rare opportunity for some Rich People to buy it. The question, of course, is whether it’ll make a bargain with its insignificant asking price of $185,000. I know, it’s like asking you to price a Gulfstream.
What do you think, is this bit of French aristocracy in the form of an automobile worth $185,000 when it sits? Or, is that just too much to get such boushie?
You decide!
Classifieds Hemmings out of St. Louis, Missouri, or go here if the ad disappears.
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