Description

The Facel Vega FV2 was introduced in 1955 as the second iteration in the early Facel Vega “FV” series, continuing the brand’s mission to blend American power with French elegance. The FV2 refined the concept introduced by the earlier FV and FV1 models, with subtle improvements in performance, design, and comfort. These early Facel Vegas were limited-production grand tourers that catered to a wealthy clientele seeking exclusivity, luxury, and long-distance capability.

Mechanically, the FV2 retained the American-sourced Chrysler Hemi V8, but in an upgraded form. It was powered by a DeSoto 4.8-liter (291 cu in) V8, which produced approximately 200 horsepower. This provided strong performance, with a top speed near 190 km/h (118 mph), placing the FV2 among the faster European GT cars of its era. The car was typically equipped with a Pont-à-Mousson 4-speed manual gearbox, though some versions may have used Chrysler’s PowerFlite automatic transmission.

The FV2 featured a steel body over a tubular frame, hand-built at Facel’s workshops in Paris. Compared to the FV1, the FV2 had more refined styling and improved details, such as a reshaped front grille, updated lighting, and a more cohesive rear design. Its lines remained formal and angular, blending the American “jet-age” influence with a restrained, distinctly French interpretation of grand touring elegance.

Inside, the FV2 was sumptuously appointed. The dashboard mimicked the look of turned metal (often aluminum or painted to resemble it), populated with a full set of Jaeger gauges. The interior was finished in fine leather and wood, and each car was individually tailored for its owner. It was both a fast tourer and a symbol of high social status—marketed to compete with the likes of Bentley, Aston Martin, and early Ferrari 2+2s.

Production numbers for the FV2 were extremely low, with only about 30 to 35 examples believed to have been built, making it one of the rarest Facel Vegas. Each car was essentially hand-built, and minor variations can be found between individual examples depending on owner specifications and evolving design details at the factory.

The Facel Vega FV2 marks an important step in the evolution of the brand, bridging the early experimental models and the more widely recognized later vehicles like the HK500 and Facel II. It maintained the company’s core identity—combining French sophistication with American horsepower—and helped cement Facel Vega’s reputation as a builder of some of the most elegant and exclusive grand touring cars of the 1950s.