Jean Daninos

Jean Clément Daninos (born December 2, 1906 in Paris , † October 13, 2001 in Cannes ) was an entrepreneur and automobile designer.

Jean Daninos was born in Paris in 1906 to Greek parents. His grandfather was named Ernest Daninos and his cousin was the engineer Adrian Daninos . Jean was 3 years older than his brother, the writer Pierre Daninos . After leaving school, when he was already noticed by his preference for drawing automobiles, he completed an engineering training. After his military service, he started at Citroën in 1928 , where he was involved in the development of the legendary Citroën Traction Avant , among other things . Besides, he was a good athlete who participated in the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam . After Michelin took over Citroën in 1934, he moved to the aircraft manufacturer Morane-Saulnier .

In 1936 he opened his own design office and in 1938 a factory for aircraft parts in Somerset, England . In December 1939 he founded the Facel company ( Forges et Ateliers de Construction d'Eure-et-Loir / Workshops and design studios in Eure-et-Loir ). Shortly afterwards, he opened a second factory in the Paris suburb of Colombes . During the war, mainly metal parts for aircraft construction were produced. After the Second World War , Facel started the business as a supplier for the automotive industry, producing various metal molded parts for Ford and Simca, among others . 45,000 aluminum bodies alone went to Panhard . Facel designed and produced its own small series of luxury cars for these manufacturers under the leadership of Jean Daninos (1950 Bentley Cresta , 1952 Ford Comète , 1954 Jeep Delahaye VLR ).

From the mid-1950s onwards, a first own model, the Facel Vega, was developed and sold in small series to the rich and famous around the world. Others followed. Business was good until the early 1960s. The approx. 3000 vehicles were and are, along with the Bugattis, the most beautiful cars ever built in France. However, when difficulties arose - instead of the American engines used up to now, they had developed their own - Daninos had to give up his position as general manager in 1961. In 1964 production was finally stopped. He finally died of cancer in Cannes at the age of 94 and was buried in Jouy-en-Josas ( Yvelines department ). Shortly before, he had tried to revive his brand.

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