Beschreibung:

5,913cc OHV Chrysler 'Wedge' V8 Engine Single Carter Carburetor 360bhp at 5,200rpm 3-Speed Chrysler TorqueFlite Automatic Independent Coil Spring Suspension - Live Rear Axle 4-Wheel Servo-Assisted Drum Brakes *One of only 154 Excellences built *Delivered new to the United States *The 12th EX1 produced *Stunning pillarless sedan THE FACEL VEGA EXCELLENCE Founded in 1939 by Jean Daninos, Facel, an acronym standing for FACEL 'Forges et Ateliers de Construction d'Eure-et-Loir' (in English: forge and construction workshop of the department of Eure-et-Loir), was a metal stamping company that built bodies for the likes of Panhard, Simca, and the aforementioned Delahaye. It was in 1954 the company decided to go into production of complete cars, with its first swing at the market coming in the form of a sleek and sporting coupe, designed by Daninos, and powered by a reliable Chrysler Hemi V8. Open and airy in design, the pillar-less FV, and later HK500, was swift and luxurious—a unique alternative to a Bentley Continental or Maserati 3500. They were quickly snapped up by wealthy industrialists and glitterati alike, proving the company's slogan: "The Few Who Own the Finest". Improving on the concept, it was determined in short order that Facel's market could be expanded by adding a couple more doors. Only two years after the introduction of the first Facel Vega coupe, the Excellence sedan was unveiled. Clocking in at just under 17.5 feet long, with 125 inches spanning between the wheels, and tipping the scales at 4,200 pounds the Excellence was made to American proportions—a Hermès suit in size 50, extra-long. Featuring elegant slab-sided styling with pillarless suicide doors (beating the Lincoln Continental to the punch by a full 5 years), a wrap-around windscreen and subtle fines held sway in the front and rear, respectively. Inside, driver and passengers alike were coddled by soft and sumptuous leather seats, chrome fixtures, and the classic Facel Vega dashboard that featured an aircraft-like complement of gauges set in a dash of hand painted wood grain. In the back seats, the wood grain theme continued on the backs of the seats, along with a vanity and a second radio head unit. Power windows where, of course, standard. Production began in May of 1958. Under the hood in the first edition of EX cars was Chrysler's 392ci Hemi V8, but this engine was virtually out of production by the time Facel released the Excellence, so only seven were built as equipped. The next iteration, the EX1 released in October of 1958, featured the 361ci, 360hp "Wedge" V8. Offered with either a TorqueFlite automatic or Pont-à-Mousson manual, the Excellence could reach 140mph with either transmission. From 1959 on, optional disc brakes hauled the big car to a stop. July 1961 saw the introduction of the final version of the Excellence, the EX2, which dropped the wrap around windscreen, smoothed out the tail fins, added turn-down door handles with improved latches, chassis improvements derived from the HK500 and Facel II mitigated earlier chassis flex problems, and featured the big 383ci, 390hp V8 under the front lid. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED According to Facel factory production records kept by the Amicale Facel Holland, chassis number EX1 A2 was built in October 1958, per order of the Hoffman Motors for its first owner, Facel Vega enthusiast Fred Kanter of Boonton, New Jersey. This Facel was the 12th Excellence EX1 produced. It was delivered with a 383 cubic inch Chrysler wedge V8, a Torqueflite three-speed automatic transmission, and finished in two-tone Tudor Grey and black with red leather upholstery. This Excellence would remain stateside, eventually being restored to its current carmine red over grey color scheme with an interior retrimmed in the original color. Making its way over the years from the East Coast to California, it would joint the collection of the current owner in July of 2011. Remaining on static display since acquisition, recommissioning is r