The Facel II was the last throw of the dice for the near-bankrupt Facel Vega concern. Launched in 1962 and made until 1964, this was its final attempt at a perfectly French take on the luxury Grand Tourer.
The Facel II was advertised as “Le Coupé 4-places le plus rapide du Monde” (‘The Fastest 4-seater Coupé in the World’). Sports Car Graphic described it as a “luxurious brute”.
Powered by a Chrysler 6.3 litre (383 cu.in.) Chrysler ‘Typhoon’ engine which produced 355 hp in automatic-gearbox form and 390 hp in manual form, it certainly had a brutal reputation. It could reach 150 mph and out-accelerate contemporary Aston Martins and Mercedes 300SLs – but early versions, without the later limited-slip differential, could spin the rear wheels all too easily.
The story is told that Ringo Starr was persuaded by the other three Beatles to dispose of his Facel II because “we don’t want to lose you.”
Perhaps the best-known “interesting fact” about all the Facel Vegas was that the beautiful dashboard, heavily influenced by aeronautic design, was metal – painted to look like wood veneer. Your webmaster cannot resist adding an interior view. This was a truly glamorous machine.
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