Created in 1961 by Facel founder Jean Daninos, the Facel II was launched at the Paris Motor Show as the ultimate expression of the gran turismo and was advertised as “Le coupe 4-places le plus rapide du monde” (the fastest four-seater coupe in the world). It retailed at three times the price of its peer, the E-Type Jaguar. Only about 180 of these masterpieces were produced by Forges et Ateliers de Constructions d’Eure-et-Loire (FACEL) before the company ceased operations in 1965. The stunning Facel II caught the eye of celebrities such as Pablo Picasso, Ava Gardner, the Shah of Iran, and Frank Sinatra.

While the early history of HK2 A141 is not fully documented, it was originally sold to Mr. Bazin in France. The car was acquired in 1970 by Bill McKnight of Southern California, who refinished it in orange and acquired the California blue plate number 212 BBX. In the early 1980s, Mr. McKnight returned the Facel II to its original Tudor Grey and had the engine rebuilt and a new transmission fitted. With 73,000 miles on the odometer, the car was then acquired by Jan Fisher of California, in 1985. A Facel Vega enthusiast, Ms. Fisher won several awards with it, including Best in Show in November 1985 at the Deer Park event in Escondido, California. She retained the car for the duration of her life, and it remained in the Fisher family after her passing. Before being acquired by the consignor, the Facel II was purchased in 2015 by an enthusiast who had owned numerous Facel Vegas and was particularly impressed by this example’s fascinating provenance and documentation.

Rare and aesthetically sensational, the Facel II is the quintessential example of French luxury motoring from the 1960s. The lovely condition of this Facel Vega is testament to the care and attention it has received over the years and promises its next owner the prestige of European beauty matched with the assurance of American V-8 power – the elusive perfect pairing.

*Please note that this vehicle is titled as A141.