1964 Facel Vega HK500

FACEL VEGA HK500

The Facel Vega HK500 was a two-door four-seater grand tourer with a front engine driving the rear wheels. It was built from 1958 to 1961 and to say that it was imposing would be a major understatement.

The HK500 replaced the Facel Vega FVS in late 1958 and was immediately recognisable via its stacked front lights. The Jean Daninos designed coachwork was decorated with stainless steel and mounted on a tubular frame chassis while the suspension was by independent coil springs at the front with a live axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. The steering was by cam and roller and discs brakes were initially extra but were standardised in April 1960. Right hand drive was available and the Facel Vega cost £4,534 in the UK. After the first few examples the HK500 received a new 360 bhp engine which raised the top speed to 147 mph and the optional Borrani centre-lock wire wheels completed the quite incredible performance.

Production of the Facel Vegan HK500 ceased after 490 units and for 1962 it was succeeded by the Facel Vega II.

The Facel Vega HK500 was powered by either a 5.8 litre or a 6.3 litre V8 engine; both units were sourced from Chrysler. The transmission was either a four-speed all-synchromesh Pont-a-Mousson box or push-button controlled three-speed "Torque Flite" automatic gears.

To give an idea of the original world of the Facel Vega HK500, it was a car favoured by Tony Curtis, the Shah of Iran, Sir Stirling Moss, Lord Rix, Sir Ringo Starr and Francois Truffaut. In short, this was ever inch a motor-car that was unabashedly aimed at what used to be known as "the jet set" and a true Grand Routier

One major challenge for any would-be HK500 owner will be finding one of these exclusive vehicle, especially if you crave right-hand-drive; Facel Vega made just 105 with this layout. Another is that the costs and labour of any potential restoration project are almost certain to be intensive - but many would argue that a motor-car of such distinction would be worth every penny.

Alternatives to the Facel Vega HK500 include the Aston Martin DB4, the Bentley S2 Continental, the BMW 503, the Bristol 406, the Jensen 541R/S, the Maserati 3500GT and the Mercedes-Benz 300SL.

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