Renowned French coach building firm Facel Metallon, founded by Jean Daninos, was best known for its Facel-Vegas, though they also produced lesser known and rarer Simcas and Fords.

The Simca Huit Sport arrived in 1951, carrying a body likely inspired by a 1949 Pininfarina Ferrari. It was a big success in France, not so much elsewhere. In 1953, Ford of France, admiring the Simca, decided that an equally beautiful coupe body in a more powerful package would be well received. It was, leading to a production run of approximately 3,000 in 1953/54. Almost all were sold within France, where the Facel Ford Comete was one of the highest priced cars offered. They had some potential for competition, as evidenced by the noted French pilot Pierre Levegh's entry in the 1954 Monte Carlo Rally.

Facel cars were always great favorites of French celebrities of the day. The Comete, combining high style with luxurious interior appointments such as its period 'Seduction' radio, is r