To
Be
OFFERED
AT
AUCTION
WITHOUT
RESERVE
at
RM
Sothebys'
The
Elkhart
Collection
event,
23
-
24
October
2020.
One
of
the
finest
grand
tourers
of
its
eraWell-preserved
restoration;
refinished
in
very
attractive
colorsChrysler
383
V-8
and
TorqueFlite
transmissionVintage
Air
climate
control
for
year-round
comfort
Jean
Daninos's
Facel
Métallon
originally
manufactured
kitchen
cabinets
and
sinks,
then
aero
engines
during
World
War
II,
and
finally
coachbuilt
bodies
for
several
French
chassis.
In
1954
Daninos
developed
his
own
complete
car
with
a
Chrysler
V-8
on
a
tubular
chassis
frame
with
box-section
cross-members,
coil-spring
independent
front
suspension,
live
rear
axle,
and
steel
hardtop
coupe
bodywork,
sumptuously
appointed
to
rival
Rolls-Royce.
Offering
good
handling,
outstanding
performance,
and
cosseting
comfort,
the
Facel
Vega
became
popular
with
celebrities
of
the
late
1950s
and
early
1960s.
Tom
McCahill
of
Mechanix
Illustrated
dubbed
the
HK500,
with
its
360
bhp,
"sexier
than
the
Place
Pigalle
and
throatier
than
a
Russian
basso."The
HK500
offered
here
formerly
resided
in
Texas
for
many
years
and
still
wears
a
Lone
Star
State
registration
sticker
on
its
windshield.
It
was
fully
restored
by
a
previous
owner,
and
the
restoration
remains
well-preserved
today,
with
29,840
miles
recorded
on
the
odometer
and
all
finishes
still
in
excellent
condition.
The
Facel
Vega
was
subsequently
refinished
in
the
stunning
graphite
grey
when
it
was
acquired
by
the
Elkhart
Collection.
Under
the
hood
is
very
clean,
with
the
chassis
showing
only
minor
signs
of
careful
road
use.
The
interior
is
trimmed
in
attractive
red
leather
and
features
exquisite
burled
walnut
trim,
as
well
as
Vintage
Air
climate
control,
expertly
installed
for
year-round
comfort
of
the
passengers.
This
would
be
a
lovely
HK500
for
extended
road
touring-perhaps
for
a
vintage
rally,
where
the
owner
could
conveniently
carry
their
own
luggage
and
enjoy
armchair-like
comfort
while
running
at
ferocious
Hemi-powered
speeds!To
view
this
car
and
others
currently
consigned
to
this
auction,
please
visit
the
RM
website
at