Facel Vega Excellence Series 1

Roel Polllen — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 07:30:48 +0000

Facel Vega Excellence Series 1
Although the Quattroporte I is generally seen as the mother of all fast four door saloons, it was preceded by the Lagonda Rapide and even earlier this Facel Vega Excellence. Launched already at the 1956 Paris Motor Show, the looks were very European/French, but with a notable hint of Fifties and Sixties American styling such as the elegant tailfins. A distinctive and stylish feature of the car were the pilarless doors with suicide doors at the back; an unusual construction for a four door car. Apparently when opened all at once, the doors couldn’t be closed again without jacking the sagged Excellence in order to straighten out the car again. The performance was staggering starting in the first series (EX) with a Chrysler 6.4 Liter HEMI-engine with none less than 360HP. Tests at that time (1958!) report a massive 140MPH topspeed. Later the engine was replaced by the Chrysler ‘Wedge’ 5.9 Liter and an equal number of BHP. 95% of the total production were series 1 cars produced until 1961, after which the 2nd Series EX2 model was presented. Due to the gigantic price of the Excellence (same price as 4 Citroen DS or 12 Renault Dauphines), it got adopted by some very famous and rich owners such as Ava Gardner and several Arabic Royalties.

Technical specification Facel Vega Excellence Series 1:

Engine: Chrysler V8 6.4 and later 5.9 Liter

Transmission: 4 speed manual by Pont-à-Mousson or 3-speed automatic Chrysler Torqueflite

Power: 360HP

Wheelbase: 317 cm (125 in)

Length: 524 cm (206 in)

Width: 183 cm (72 in)

Height: 138 cm (54 in)

Weight: 1,920 kg (4,200 lb)

Top speed: 225 KM/h (140 MPH)

estimate

Production number: 156 (148 of which EX/EX1)

Designer: Jean Daninos

Facel Vega Excellence Series 2

Roel Polllen — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 09:50:00 +0000

Facel Vega Excellence Series 2
In 1961 the Excellence got it’s first and only considerable facelift in which the car was modernised according to the periods fashion. One can argue whether this was for the best. Again the engine was replaced with another Chrysler version: the 6.3 Liter V8 with a staggering 390HP. Besides some technical updates, there were significant cosmetical updates as the changed rear without the distinct tailfins and removal of the typical Facel Vega panoramic windshield. Although the EX2 was offered from 1961 to 1964, only eight cars have been sold until the demise of the Facel Vega Company.

Technical specification Facel Vega Excellence Series 2:

Engine: Chrysler V8 6.3 Liter

Transmission: 4 speed manual by Pont-à-Mousson or 3-speed automatic Chrysler Torqueflite

Power: 390HP

Wheelbase: 318 cm (125 in)

Length: 528 cm (208 in)