Facel Vega FV
| Facel Vega | |
|---|---|
 Facel Vega FV1
|
|
| FV | |
| Production period: | 1955-1958 |
| Class : | Upper class |
| Body versions : | Coupé , convertible |
| Engines: |
Petrol engines : 4.5–6.4 liters (132–239 kW) |
| Length: | 4570-4590 mm |
| Width: | 1760 mm |
| Height: | 1370 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 2630 mm |
| Empty weight : | 1660-1800 kg |
| successor | HK 500 |
The Facel Vega FV was a luxury automobile that the French car manufacturer Facel SA built between 1955 and 1958.
development
The history of the FV began a few years before the later manufacturer was founded. At the end of 1951, Jean Daninos , who later founded Facel, designed a first prototype. It was built immediately and was road tested in the first few months of the following year. Gradually the prototype was mechanically improved and the equipment became more and more luxurious.
The car was first presented to the public on July 29, 1954, but the official presentation was not until October of that year.
Sales of the new vehicle began in February 1955.
Models
The Facel Vega FV was one of the first so-called hybrids to combine European car bodies with American drive technology.
FV
The FV was a luxurious, two-door notchback coupé with two full-size seats in the front and two backup seats in the rear. He was very polished, powerful and fast. Its elegant, dynamic line and its low center of gravity concealed its imposing dimensions.
Its front apron almost seemed to touch the asphalt, while the rear showed a line of fins into which small taillights were integrated.
The engine of the FV was a Chrysler V8 engine, as in the other models from Facel Vega with the exception of the Facellia and its successors. In particular, this engine also powered some models from DeSoto , a US subsidiary of Chrysler. The engine had a displacement of 4528 cm³ and developed an output of 180 hp (132 kW) at 4400 rpm. A single-disc dry clutch from Borg & Beck was installed between the engine and the four-speed manual transmission supplied by Société Pont-à-Mousson . The hydraulic brake system with its aluminum drum brakes with a diameter of 280 mm on all four wheels was less convincing. The handbrake worked via cables on the rear wheels. The roller steering came from Gemmer France , the turning circle was 10.4 m.
The front wheels were individually suspended on double wishbones with coil springs, a stabilizer and hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers. Salisbury's rigid rear axle was also fitted with telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers and coil springs. Depending on the rear axle ratio, the FV reached top speeds between 172 and 194 km / h. The fuel consumption was 16-19 l / 100 km. A petrol tank with a capacity of 100 l ensured sufficient range.
The FV was only built for two months. During this time 13 units were built, all with a coupé body.
FV1
In April 1955 the FV1 was ready, the first variant of the FV. Its most important innovation was under the bonnet, where an engine with a displacement of 4770 cm³ now worked, developing 200 hp (147 kW). The top speed of the car increased to 198 km / h. In addition to the French-made manual transmission, the Chrysler PowerFlyte automatic transmission was also available on request . The FV1 was manufactured in 32 units at the end of November 1955, including 25 coupés and 7 convertibles.
FV2
In November 1955, the FV2 , another variant of the FV, was presented. With higher compression and a larger carburetor, the engine output rose to 250 hp (184 kW) at 4400 rpm. The top speed of the car was 202 km / h.
The FV2 was sold 30 times, almost always as a coupe. Only one convertible was made; it was created for Jean Daninos' wife Andrée. It was presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1955, and was first registered in March 1956. In the same year, the cabriolet appeared in the feature film The Big and Small World ( The Ambassador's Daughter ). There it was driven by Olivia de Havilland . After a few changes of ownership, it was for sale in the UK in early 2013.
FV2B
The FV2 was followed by the FV2B , another variant of the FV. It had a new engine with a displacement of 5413 cm³ and a maximum output of 285 hp (210 kW). The top speed dropped slightly to 198 km / h, a value that the FV1 also achieved. The brake system received power assistance. This variant was also offered for sale at short notice in November 1956. 73 copies were made.
FV3
From November 1956 to July 1957 the FV3 was offered, the mechanics of which corresponded to that of the FV1 and thus developed 200 HP (147 kW). The performance of the car corresponded to that of the equally powerful FV1.
FV3B
In March 1957, when the FV3 was still on sale, the FV3B came out, powered by a 4940 cc engine with 253 hp (186 kW) at 4600 rpm. The top speed was 203 km / h.
It was the best-selling variant of the FV, 91 of which were made, all just coupes. Production ended in July 1958.
FV4
Simultaneously with the FV3B came the F4V as the final version of the FV to market. It was available in two engine variants: either a 5798 cm³ engine, which developed 300 PS (221 kW), or one with 6430 cm³ displacement and 325 PS (239 kW).
In both cases, the cars reached a top speed of 229 km / h.
The FV4 was taken out of production in February 1958. 68 copies had been made by then, also exclusively coupés.
successor
This made the FV3 practically the last FV produced. The successor was the HK 500 .
literature
- John Simister, Tim Andrew: La Grande Routière . Presentation of the only FV2 convertible in: Thoroughbred & Classic Cars, issue 1/2013, p. 84 ff.
Web links
- Facel Vega FV (French)
- Histomobile: Facel Vega FV and FV1 (English)
- Histomobile: Facel Vega FV2, FV3 and FV4 (English)
Individual evidence
- ^ A b c Jean Daninos: Facel-Véga . Édition EPA, Paris, Collection 'Grand Tourisme' No. 2. ISBN 2-85120-143-3 . P. 123
- ^ Jean Daninos: Facel-Véga . Édition EPA, Paris, Collection 'Grand Tourisme' No. 2. ISBN 2-85120-143-3 . P. 119
- ↑ John Simister, Tim Andrew: La Grande Routière . Presentation of the only FV2 convertible in: Thoroughbred & Classic Cars, issue 1/2013, p. 84 ff.
