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Convertible Conversion: 1956 Facel Vega FV2

The Facel Vega FV2 was built between November 1955 and March 1956. With such a short production run from a small manufacturer build numbers are always going to be low. In fact, this FV2 is one of only 30 manufactured by Facel. This Facel Vega FV2 is listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Los Angeles, California, it comes with a clear title. The seller has set a BIN price of $130,000 but there is the option to make an offer.

The first thing that I can absolutely confirm is that this FV2 did not start life as a soft-top. It is a hard-top that has undergone a conversion. Only one convertible FV2 was ever built, and it is currently located in the UK. While the paint is reasonable on this particular example, the doors look out of alignment which may suggest that there is some chassis flex following the removal of the roof. Certainly Facel founder Jean Daninos only ever constructed one convertible FV2 because the car demonstrated major flexing issues. This one appears to have had some reinforcing added to the chassis, but that flex may still be present.

The thing that I find disturbing about the car is the quality of execution of the soft-top. It is not a pretty sight, and is far below the quality that I would expect on a car of this value. This raises questions about the quality of the rest of the conversion. The wheels fitted to the car are also completely out of place for a car of this age.

While the interior appears to be in generally good condition there are some control knobs and trim pieces that are missing from the dash. This could present a problem sourcing replacement parts due to the rarity of the car. Speaking of the dash, its finish is a clever illusion. While that may appear to be walnut on the dash, it is actually painted metal. The FV2 was the first Facel to feature this. Another concern is the cracked quarter vent window on the passenger side of the car. Once again the rarity of the FV2 may make locating a replacement quite difficult.

One area where things become slightly less complicated is under the hood. The engine is a 292ci DeSoto V8 which is backed by a 2-speed automatic transmission. The car is said to be mechanically sound. The original dual-canister air cleaner is missing, along with the ducting for the air ventilation into the cabin of the car. Finding suitable replacement ducting should not prove to be an issue, but locating a correct air cleaner is going to be another difficult task.

Determining a value on this FV2 is complicated by two different considerations. The first is the fact that being extremely rare means that few of this model ever come onto the market. The second issue is the fact that this one has been modified by the removal of the roof. As a result I’ve really been left with a Hagerty valuation as a starting point. They value a #3 car at $133,000, while a #4 is $74,100. I just wish that the roof hadn’t been removed.

Comments

  1. Avatar canadainmarkseh

    First of all I agree that this is one $h!tty Top and needs to go. Second a good fabricator could remake the hard top and for a six figure car I think it should be done. Why would someone cut the roof off a 1 in 30 car and kill its value, that’s like stoking your camp fire with stacks of $ 100.00 bills. I guess there is no cure for stupid is there, but what was done can be undone too.

    Like 21
  2. Avatar Maestro1

    Adam i agree with you and the sloppy top conversion absolutely lowers the value of the car, Hagerty and everybody else notwithstanding. It simply isn’t a $130,000. car.

    Like 14
  3. Avatar Dick Johnson

    292 is a frod Y block. A 291 is a De Soto Hemi. I know, pure semantics. Not that big of deal. Beautiful car. But the top…woof.

    Like 4
  4. Avatar J Paul Member

    This also needs to go in the “Bad Wheel Choices” hall of fame. Ew.

    Like 16
    • Avatar Jubjub

      I think that’s “Hall of Shame”! I can’t unsee that.

      Like 3
  5. Avatar David smith

    I’ve seen better Bimini tops on boats !!

    Like 4
  6. Avatar Derek Nathan Daniel

    Sad.ugly top,,,what a car,,what a mistake

    Like 7
  7. Avatar Dolphin Member

    SCM Guide says the median price paid at auction for FV models has been $247,500 recently, making this a decent candidate for restoration.

    canadainmarkseh is right. There’s enough room to remake a replacement roof and do other things to make the car a decent runner and not go underwater.

    Maybe there’s a knowledgeable restorer out there who knows these cars and might know of a seriously neglected FV that could supply a roof, which would add value to the finished car. The first thing I would do is get a copy of the guide to car restorers and start calling around. Somebody might even know the car and where the roof went. Stranger things have happened.

    All this depends on someone wanting a French-Detroit USA hybrid with a slightly odd look. That someone would not be me, but another someone might.

    Like 3
  8. Avatar CanuckCarGuy

    Impressive in 1956 perhaps, but not everything aged gracefully…. looks a bit like Dr Frankenstein built himself a car.

    Like 3
  9. Avatar grant

    Top appears to be made by someone who does boat tops. Fine on the Bayliner, but here? Really? So far out of my wheelhouse that it’s all theoretical but unless someone has the skills to fabricate a roof, this is pretty much a parts car to me.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Walter

      Classic descriptive line”looks good on a Bayliner” Love it!

      Like 0
  10. Avatar Jeff

    Were all 56 Facel Vega’s equipped with automatic transmissions? This one has an automatic, the torque converter and trans pan are clearly visible.

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Mike

    Front seats look more 60’s than 50’s.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Peter

    Jay Leno had a Facel Vega on his show. It was gorgeous. I saw one as a kid. That and an XKE were my two favorite cars…. Ringo Starr had one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owlrh_011k4

    Like 3
    • Avatar leiniedude Member

      Now that is a car! Kind of looks like Ringo also.

      Like 0
  13. Avatar Greg Millard

    Door alignment may be an indicator of other problems as FV fabrications (I am familiar with) had the bodies be welded to the frames becoming an integral part of the structure – hack part of it away, buyer best be aware, Greg

    Like 1
  14. Avatar Martin Horrocks

    I love Facel but hate this. I don´t actually think it can be recovered as original. Building a top sounds very complicated, glass and all because they are very curvey with lots of chrome trim which is missing here.

    Maybe the best thing you could do is re-engineer the car properly and sympathetically hot rod it.

    Like 3
    • Avatar RIVA DELLA

      Agree with the re-engineering requirement!
      With that, this could be a good candidate for new Hemi crate-motor transplant and subtle! customizing.
      Remember the classic old Carson padded tops?

      Like 0
  15. Avatar James P Bandy

    Et al

    Ha an Facel. I was in Paris in l955/56 and while crossing the street at the Champs Elysees and rue Pierre Charron at Facel convertible made the corner with a beautiful, and I mean a beautiful French lady at the wheel…she hesitated a moment before continuing on….I used to go to the show at the Champs Elysees..I always thought the dash was real wood..hu uh! $130,000! Why! Mabye $25,000. Where do these prices come from….stupid…anyway Vive la France…as DeGaulle would say……(I drive a Panhard)

    Like 1
  16. Avatar chrlsful

    As a kid (single digits) I had some lill 1/64 ratio cars in the early 60s. The most coveted were the 1960 vette, 300SL gulwing & the mid 50s FacelVega. I knew this was low production but not that low, also not the tail lght variations. Thank you for the pic/write up’n links.
    U can have a $200K marque and a $20K presentation. (ck trunk lid as well, & yes on auto transmis) There’s more’n just a Zero difference as shown here. Unfortunate.

    Like 1

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