First Facel Vega heads to auction

First in line

Just because COVID-19 has forced the classic French extravaganza Rétromobile from its usual February slot in the calendar to 16-20 March, and therefore its Artcurial auction to the following month, too, doesn’t dilute our excitement for it.

Nor does it mean the calibre of classics on show or going under the hammer will be compromised, either, if this example is anything to go by.

Yes, this is the first Facel Vega produced and it has been consigned to Artcurial’s 18 March 2022 sale at Rétromobile in Paris, where it is predicted it will sell for €500-800,000 (c£420-670,000 or c$565-910,000). Let’s find out more about this seminal French classic car.

Back to the start

The origins of the Facel company don’t start with cars, but with stainless steel.

In 1939, Jean Danino founded his firm Facel (which stood for Forges et Ateliers de Constructions d’Eure et Loire), and in the ’40s it specialised in the pressing and processing of stainless steel, for the production of car and aeroplane parts.

International inspiration

Of course, WW2 was in full flow, and company founder Daninos established good links with industrialists in the US because his company was producing parts for bombers.

This cross-pollination meant Daninos introduced American machines and methods of production to France after the war that hadn’t previously been used in the country.

The tools of the trade

In 1946, Daninos set up another company, Facel Metallon, which created coachwork for French automotive brands Panhard, Delahaye and Simca, and also for Ford SAF, France’s subsidiary of the US car maker.

Until the end of the ’50s this work helped him get the experience he needed to fulfil his dream of building his own car.

First steps

In addition, Daninos was a Bentley owner and enthusiast, and through his close relationship with the marque, some MkVI chassis were bodied by Pinin Farina (Pininfarina from 1961) using one of Daninos’s designs, and christened the Bentley Cresta.

After 13 of these, one final chassis was ordered in January 1950 and styled with unique Bentley Cresta II bodywork.

A false start

From 1951, Jean Daninos began working to realise his dream. His first attempt had a six-cylinder Hotchkiss engine, an Allard chassis and a roadster-style body, but he was disappointed by it, so production ceased and parts returned to suppliers.

Going back to the drawing board, he approached Delahaye, Talbot, Bugatti and Alfa Romeo for an engine, with no luck. But his American contacts from WW2 came up trumps and CB Thomas, vice president of Chrysler, agreed to supply him with V8s.

What’s in a name?

But what to call his new creation?

Jean Daninos’s brother, Pierre, was a writer. It was his idea to use the name Vega, after the fifth-brightest star in the night sky, Pierre taking inspiration from the Ford Comète (comet), produced by Ford SAF, which Facel produced the bodywork for.

Evolution not revolution

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Daninos’s design was an evolution of the Bentley Cresta.

In particular, the two designs shared a windscreen, while they also had similar-looking roofs and grilles.

Under the bonnet

That first engine, a De Soto 276cu in (4522cc) V8 with hemispherical heads and a 180bhp output, was imported almost in secret by Daninos to speed up the process.

This was teamed with a four-speed, all-synchromesh gearbox.

Different from the rest

Work on the car’s chassis and coachwork commenced in June 1952.

This prototype features a then-innovative tubular chassis, with the emphasis on first-rate roadholding.

In addition, this prototype’s wheelbase is 120mm shorter than that of the production cars at 2510mm. There are also hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels, plus independent front and leaf-spring rear suspension.

Cabin comforts

Inside, Daninos remained true to some of the features in his Bentley Cresta cars – indeed it is said he designed it himself.

On a car built with quality in mind, it might not come as a surprise to learn that this now-classic prototype’s interior was trimmed in Connolly leather.

Approval granted

It is understood that this car was completed on 1 October 1953, gained approval from the regulatory body on 10 August 1954 and was registered two days later.

At that point it had a pale blue-grey body and a Brunswick blue roof, and it featured in magazines wearing the numberplate ‘Vega 54’.

Showtime!

Then, in October 1954, with the name Vega 55, this car was displayed at the Paris motor show, where it was painted grey with a black roof.

It remains the only car to carry the Facel letters in the bonnet-mounted air intake.

Testing, testing…

In a letter written in 1976, Jean Daninos explained that the car pictured here was a prototype and was used for testing, which he often supervised.

It was also shipped to Detroit where Chrysler used it for engine testing.

This car was used to develop future Facel Vegas and became known as ‘le Proto Facel’, and throughout this time it remained the property of Daninos, its creator.

Nip and tuck

Because this car was used for developmental purposes, it later received a front-end facelift.

This saw a fine-mesh grille replace the original, larger-mesh version, while the round headlights above earlier rectangular units were replaced by a pair of circular lamps each side.

Back in black

In addition, in the early 1960s, Daninos decided he wanted this car repainted in a single shade of black, as it still is today.

And the same time, the cabin of his car, chassis number FV-54-002, was retrimmed with matching black leather.

Hey, good looking

Being the first of its kind and a prototype, this unique Facel Vega has a few extras.

Such as dedicated space for cosmetics and a perfume bottle, one in each of the armrests.

All tooled up

And it isn’t just about keeping the car’s occupants in fine fettle.

Also included in this car are two small toolkits stashed behind the front seats. Here’s one…

Where you need it

…and here is the other.

It certainly means your tools are easy to access in the event of a breakdown.

As the boss ordered

Today, this prototype Facel Vega is in original condition, its owners having taken great care to preserve the patina and not over-restore it.

Here you can see the black leather, chosen by Daninos himself, and this, plus the original carpets, have been preserved, so the authenticity of the original, history-rich items remain.

All change

As well as the luggage, looking into the boot reveals the spare tyre on a Borrani wheel with a three-eared spinner.

The car was originally fitted with Robergel wheels, but the factory decided to switch to Borranis.

Cared-for classic

As well as being in the ownership of the Facel company and Jean Daninos, this classic car has had three previous keepers.

Recent work has included getting a custom, stainless-steel exhaust, a new clutch and gearbox mountings, and having the carburettors overhauled.

It might be in (deliberately) unrestored condition, but it has been pampered.

First and last

But then, it is the first Facel and the last to be owned by company founder Jean Daninos.

It is still powered by its original engine, and has its original gearbox and Salisbury rear axle, too.

Out and about

And its eye-catching lines have been enjoyed by others, it’s not been kept hidden in a garage.

As well as investing around €11,000 in its preservation, this Facel Vega prototype’s current custodian has enjoyed driving it regularly in dry weather.

Building the backstory

As well as preserving this car’s patinated, unrestored condition, this keeper has researched the car’s past, confirmed all its previous owners, and found advertisements and articles about the car to add to its history file.

All of which only adds to the mystique surrounding this striking classic.

Take two

This year’s Artcurial sale will actually be the second time the auction house has sold this car.

Six years ago, on 5 February 2016, again at the auction house’s Rétromobile sale in the car’s home town of Paris, this 1954 Facel Vega 54 Prototype V went under the hammer, where it achieved €500,640.

There’s nothing like it

Now it is set to cross the block on 18 March 2022, during Artcurial’s Rétromobile sale, where this unique classic car has a €500-800,000 pre-sale estimate.

Let’s hope its next owner continues to preserve this piece of automotive history.

Find out more and register to bid here.