Please visit www.godinbanks.com for 25 photos and more info. We are pleased to offer you this Facel Vega HK500 for restoration. The car is pretty much complete although waht you see in the pictures is what you get. "In the world of motoring some few cars come to deserve the adjective 'great' because, although they have faults like everything else in this imperfect world, they provide such a highly desirable combination of virtues. Driving the latest Facel Vega HK500 in Britain, France, Switzerland, and Belgium . . . we found it hard to keep superlatives out of the conversation" (Motor, April 1960). The most famous and successful of the various Facel Vega models, the HK500 was introduced in May 1958. True to company founder Jean Daninos' vision of a hand built 'grand routier' that could compete on the world stage, the newcomer counted the likes of the Ferrari 250GTE, Maserati 3500GT and Aston Martin DB4 among its rivals. Derived from that of the preceding FVS, the sport saloon's tubular steel chassis was equipped with independent double-wishbone front suspension, a 'live' rear axle and four-wheel finned drum brakes (though, discs were soon optional). Maintaining the short-lived manufacturer's reputation for performance, the HK500 was powered by a 5.9 litre (later 6.3 litre) Chrysler V8 OHV engine allied to automatic transmission. While, those looking for even greater thrills could specify a four-speed Pont-a-Mousson manual gearbox and dual four-choke Carter carburettors. One of the fastest cars of its generation, Autocar found a manual HK500 to be capable of 0-60mph in 8.4 seconds, 0-100mph in 19.1 seconds and a theoretical 140mph. Beautifully wrought the 2+2 seater's steel body was characterized by a dramatic three-piece grille, wraparound windscreen, stacked headlights, cut-away tail lights and imposing bumpers. As stylish inside as out, the Facel Vega's cabin boasted sumptuous leather upholstery, electric windows and a wood-effect painted steel dashboard. With a select clientele that included Pablo Picasso, Ava Gardner, Sir Stirling Moss, Ringo Starr, Tony Curtis, Maurice Trintignant, Joan Fontaine, Danny Kaye, Fran?ois Truffaut and Rob Walker, the HK500 remained in production until 1961 by which time some 548 are thought to have been made. Though, according to the Facel Vega Car Club's website just 98 of these were supplied new to the UK. Facel Ownership is a very exclusive club. This car is a Left hand Drive HK500 finished in Silver with Red Leather Interior. The car is Automatic and has Power Steering. The car also has the very rare option of the Excellence Wheels. It is for restoration, there is rust in the body as you can see in the pictures but has been stored for many years quite correctly so forms a good base for work. The interior could actually scrub up very well I think and would go again. It is rare to find an HK500 project as they are all getting restored as the values of restored examples exceeds οΎ£100,000 nowadays. A car in a slightly worse condition has just sold at auction for more than I am asking for this. There are no papers or history with the car but it was sold new in May 1959 through Hoffmans in the USA to its first owner a Mr. Lorenger. It has been in Europe for many years. Petrol
Colour: Red
Right-hand Drive
