Facel Vega FV Price Guide

The Facel Vega FV of 1954 to 1958 was the car that launched one of the most glamorous marques of the post-war era — a hand-built French grand tourer using Chrysler V8 power in a body of remarkable elegance, produced by Forges et Ateliers de Construction d’Eure-et-Loir (FACEL) under the direction of Jean Daninos. The FV was the car that proved a small French manufacturer could build a credible alternative to the Bentley Continental and the Mercedes 300SL at the very highest level of the market.

The Car

The FV used the Chrysler DeSoto Hemi V8 — initially the 4,528cc unit producing 180bhp, later the 5,407cc and 5,907cc versions in the FVS and FV2B producing up to 325bhp. The tubular steel chassis with independent front suspension and a live rear axle was clothed in a body styled by Daninos himself — dramatic, formal, and unmistakably French despite the American engine. A Pont-à-Mousson four-speed manual gearbox or Chrysler automatic was available. Around 46 FVs, 96 FVS, and 88 FV2Bs were produced — extraordinarily rare by any standard. Stirling Moss, Ava Gardner, Ringo Starr, and Tony Curtis were among the owners.

Buying

Any surviving FV-series Facel Vega requires specialist French grand touring expertise. The Chrysler V8 is robust and well-supported through American parts channels. The coachwork and interior trim require dedicated Facel specialists. The Facel Vega Owners Club and Amicale Facel Vega in France are the authentication resources. Values reflect the rarity — fewer than 230 FV-series cars were built in total.