We’re looking at one of only about 2900 cars made by Facel Vega during its decade of automobile production. The company was founded in 1939 to make aviation parts; later, it built bodies for Simca, Ford in France, Delahaye, and Panhard. But Jean Daninos, the company’s engineer and designer, yearned to create a car under Facel’s label. The availability of American drivetrains coupled with the factory’s own aptitude for metalwork propelled his vision of a powerful and elegant hunk of rolling art. Facel’s first cars were two-door hardtop coupes, popular with celebrities and well-situated politicians, though reviewers criticised the anemic effort from the drum brakes. Improvements brought better regard, so Daninos moved up the curve, launching his first four-door sedan in 1958. Called the Excellence, it was produced in three series until 1964. Here on eBay is this 1960 EX1 hailing from Kuwait but now located in Crownsville, Maryland. The asking price is $59,750, and we have Curvette to thank for the tip!
In a move that would later lead to the company’s demise, Daninos chose from a variety of Chrysler engines to power his early cars. Hunkered in this engine bay is a 361 cu. in. “wedge” V8, rated at 360 hp; power is channeled to the rear wheels via a pushbutton three-speed TorqueFlite. Despite its curb weight of 4200 lbs, top speed was about 140 mph. Diminutive numbers of the Excellence were made – only 137 EX1s, for instance. Later in the production timeline, options such as power steering became available. This car was imported recently after two decades spent in Kuwait; the paperwork is clean, but there’s no word on its running condition.
The car’s signature feature was its instrument panel, hand-painted to look like real wood. Also notable are the rear-hinged rear doors, which caused no small amount of trouble when the model was first introduced, popping open of their own accord around turns. Other than that, the cabin displays the usual sumptuous leather/deep carpets/full Jaeger gauge set that hallmarks luxury cars of the era. The passenger’s rear seat has an odd rectangular mark on its outside bolster, and the remainder of the upholstery is scuffed here and there.
Styling holdovers from the ’50s are still in evidence – the wraparound windshield, the rear fins. Impressive overhangs emphasize the near-limousine quality of the Excellence – its wheelbase was 125″, but it measured over 206″ long. Unfortunately, as majestic as it was, the Excellence couldn’t carry the weight of an entire company. Daninos’ next effort was a smaller, cheaper road car, fitted with an engine from Facel’s supplier, Pont-à-Mousson. The engine was a disaster, costing millions of francs in warranty claims. Daninos lost his job running Facel when the French government provided funds to rescue the company. The money didn’t last long: Charles de Gaulle was never fond of the decision to use American engines in a French car. In the eyes of collectors today, many of Daninos’ creations have gained favor, with prices creeping up across the range. Still, this big, rare Facel will require a special buyer, willing to spend cash on its needs now and in the future.
Rear quarters look lifted from late 50’s Rambler Ambassador…what a great looking car!!
Unbelievable car,,,except for one glaring misgiving,,,it was a VEGA!!! In fact, we laughed never having seen one, how good could it possibly be with the VEGA in the name.”Facel” means many, and “Vega”, a star, but to us, the word Vega conjured up images of a really poor car, not much could change that. This car is anything but that, and for 1960, was a thoroughly modern car. It was meant to compete with M-B and Ferrari, and cost a whopping $5600 in 1960, a move I feel, was more of a deterrent than the V8 motor. Beautiful car.
Howard, in comparison the 1960 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special sedan was nearly $7K, making this one at $5600. seem like a bargain! Just saying.
Facel is simply an acronym for the company name “Forges et Ateliers de Constructions d’Eure-et-Loir”. I agree that the Chrysler V8 was the least of its problems, though!
Never heard of this model, I knew the 2 doors HT but not this one.
It looks so classy!!!
As for the square mark on the rear bench, looks to me as a sun reflexion, look down to be something there too.
Looks like that rectangle on the rear seat might be a sun reflection. In another photo you can see a corresponding light spot on the lower cushion in line with the rectangle. Nice looking for a French car, no wonder Hollywood celebrities had them
This car is a beauty, for sure. I’m a sucker for details like matching piping and paint – and what lovely paint it is. I think the spot on the rear seat is from glare bouncing off the chrome, or some other surface. I read the whole thing waiting to learn how using Chrysler drivetrains would lead to Facel’s downfall – nice hook, Michelle! (I’d have read the entire article, anyway.)
The downfall statement probably refers to the fact President DeGaulle interfered with the government support due to the presence of the American engine.
It is a distinctive and beautiful car even if large sedans aren’t my cup of tea, or rather my glass of Bordeaux.
This is an absolutely beautiful car!!! The color is perfect too. I’ve never seen a 4 door Facel Vega, its a shame they didn’t make more. That interior is absolutely gorgeous too. I’m sure it’ll go to a good new home.
DeGaulle didn’t mind American soldiers when they were saving France from the Nazis
De Gaulle had a complicated relationship with the Anglosphere. Not just the USA,
Cool cars. If only it were a 2-door.
Kind of a magnificent beast, and quirky in the Fench manner!
There was nothing as classy as a Facel Vega in Europe in the early 1960s. Stirling Moss, Peter Sellars, Ringo Starr, Rob Waker all had Facels.
Existentialist Albert Camus died in one. C´est la vie……
It seems that deGaulle didn’t know a good thing when right before him. Not much different sixty odd years later. I digress. But what a splendid vehicle. That interior looks like a warm caress. I’m not a buyer but would love to go for a ride. I’ll even buy the premium fuel.
Very nice looking “Vega”…
It’s really nice rare car. It’s all there. Mopar big blocks found there way into most of the big cars. Price is right. I know Greg Gutfeld has one, might be a 2 door though. Part of the script: Key Features and History:
Debuted: The Excellence was unveiled at the Paris Auto Show in 1956.
Four-Door Model: It was the only four-door model offered by Facel Vega.
Chassis: The Excellence was based on an extended chassis of the Facel Vega FV Coupé.
Limited Production: Only 156 Excellences were ever produced.
Luxury: It was intended as a luxurious and powerful car for heads of state and other prominent figures.
The car’s high price and limited production runs contributed to its status as a rare and sought-after collectible. ($139,501 in 2024 official inflation dollars)
This Excellence features a Chrysler-sourced 361ci 360 HP Wedge V8
The Facel-Vega Excellence also incorporates a pillarless four-door mechanism, allowing the car to be designed with rear-hinged “suicide” styled rear doors for easier access and egress. Marc.
I am a former owner of aFacel Excellance, never had a door problem latches were supposed to be from Mercedes. The Excellance at one point was to become a Packard with a Packard style grill and motor.
I first saw a Facel Vega Excellence in an Elizabeth, NJ Chrysler-Plymouth dealer’s showroom in the late 1950’s. My dad had brought the family’s ’54 Chrysler in for routine service and I tagged along hoping to look at the new models. In the eyes of a teenaged kid, the Excellence was drop dead great looking! An unoccupied salesman came over to me, apparently to practice his sales pitch on a willing listener, and proceeded to tell me all about the car and especially the Chrysler drivetrain. On the drive home, I told my dad what the sales guy had related. Dad thought the Chrysler drivetrain would simplify mechanical service and costs but, then asked me, “where do you get sheet metal if you have a fender bender”? That stopped me, I was thinking of the Excellence as a daily driver, not a museum piece. That was probably not a consideration for anyone with the disposable coin to buy it.
The dealer also had a mid-1950’s Mercedes 300SC Cabriolet on the showroom floor. Apparently, both being offered as part of a local estate sale. I never saw the Facel Vega again but, frequently saw the 300SC on neighboring town roads over the next few years.
Nice looking car. But I had to comment because in the description it mentioned “Simca”. My very first car was a ’71 Simca 1204. Cost $350, all the money I had saved up from working the previous summer. It had the most comfortable bucket seats.
Little did I know when I bought it, how hard it was to get parts. JC Whitney came through for quite a bit of them though. Good gas mileage when gas was 60 cents. I could put $2 in a drive for a few days.
Wow! This guy’s got 2 of these for sale: this and a two-door hardtop.