Facel Vega II

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The Facel Vega II was a French grand tourer produced between the years 1962 and 1964.

In 1962, Paris-based Facel Vega was facing bankruptcy and the Facel Vega II (or the Facel Vega Facel II) was the company's last chance at creating a successful luxury GT car. The car was highly exclusive, and expensive, and cost as much as two Jaguar E-Types and a Lotus Elan. However, the handsome design led to many famous owners, including Stirling Moss and Rob Walker.

The car was powered by a 6.2 litre Chrysler engine which produced 355 HP,and despite only using a 3-speed automatic gearbox, the GT could reach 130 mph (208 km/h). With a Pont a' Mousson 4-speed manual the vehicle could attain 140 mph (224 km/h). The four-speed came with a 390 hp twin-carburetor Chrysler engine from the Chrysler 300 at no additional cost, while the automatic Torqueflite gearbox option had a less powerful iteration of the same engine, producing 355 hp. Dunlop disc brakes were fitted on all four wheels, and power steering, leather seats and electric windows were standard.

However, like its predecessor, the HK 500, the Facel was overweight compared to its rivals. Weighing 37 cwt (1880 kg), it was heavier than an Aston Martin or a Jensen, and the Facel II's weight came closer to two tons with four passengers and a full petrol tank. Also, the car suffered from an antiquated suspension handed down from the HK500; there were coil and wishbones up front with an anti-roll bar, and half-elliptics were employed with the live rear axle, making the ride uncomfortable. HWM, an importing company, often fitted Armstrong Select-A-Ride rear dampers on their imported cars as an option.

Production was discontinued after only 184 units were built with the marque's bankruptcy following the warranty claims of Facel Vega's smaller Facelia in 1964. Today several hundred Facel Vegas are still on the road around the world.