This 1958 Facel Vega FV3B represents a fascinating slice of postwar European luxury, blending French design flair with American V8 power. Listed here on eBay and offered with a clean California title, this coupe is one of an estimated 90 FV3B examples produced during a short production run from March 1957 to June 1958, making it a genuinely rare sight today.

According to the seller, chassis 58265 was originally delivered new in France, finished in its factory shade of gray. The car later spent time in Kuwait, where it reportedly remained under the care of the country’s prime minister in the mid-2000s. At some point under prior ownership, the Facel underwent a refurbishment that altered its drivetrain configuration, replacing the factory four-speed manual with a 340 cubic-inch Chrysler V8 paired to a three-speed automatic transmission. While not original to the car, this swap stays true to the Facel Vega ethos of combining European coachwork with American power.

The exterior design reflects everything that made Facel Vega unique in the late 1950s. Signature elements include a wraparound windshield, pillarless side glass, stacked headlights, a hood scoop, and exhaust outlets integrated through the rear bumper. A Webasto-style retractable cloth sunroof adds to the car’s grand touring character. The seller notes a cracked right taillight lens, an honest detail worth mentioning in an otherwise well-presented example.

Inside, the 2+2 cabin is trimmed in red leather upholstery across the front bucket seats, rear individual seats, and door panels. One of the most distinctive features is the hand-painted dashboard, finished to resemble burl wood, a hallmark of Facel craftsmanship. Equipment includes power windows, a heater, and a cassette stereo, while Jaeger instrumentation fills the driver’s view. The odometer shows 57,931 miles, with approximately ten miles added by the current seller.

Underneath, the FV3B rides on 15-inch chrome wire wheels with knock-off hubs, features a double-wishbone front suspension with rear leaf springs, and four-wheel drum brakes. The seller states the car was acquired by them in 2025 and is currently located in Washington State.

With documented registry information confirming its original colors, options, and early history—and a prior ownership link to a notable international figure—this Facel Vega offers a compelling mix of rarity, luxury, and cross-continental character. Would you preserve it as-is, or seek to return it to its original manual-transmission configuration?